LoadingLoadingLoadingLoadingDoctoral research for practising executives
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The DBA is distinct from the PhD: it is designed for senior managers who want to investigate real problems in their own organisations and contribute practitioner-oriented knowledge to the field. You will complete advanced coursework in research design, then conduct a doctoral project that typically addresses a strategic challenge in your firm or sector. Cohort-based residencies (virtual) build a lifelong network of executive peers.
DBA candidates remain employed while researching — your organisation is often the site of investigation. Virtual residencies bring together global executive cohorts for peer critique and faculty coaching. Published practitioner articles are encouraged before final defence.
Faculty spotlight
Professor Sofia Ramirez, DBA, combines board service with research on family-enterprise governance; Dr. Hassan Al-Rashid mentors public-sector transformation projects.
Study online
Tuition is free. Examinations are free. There is no exam fee. Study from anywhere in the world.
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| DBA701 | Discovering Applied Doctoral Research Framing practice-based research questions, literature mapping, and the philosophy of applied business scholarship.
| 3 · 30 h |
| DBA702 | Philosophy of Science & Knowledge Creation in Management Epistemology, theory building, and creating impactful knowledge for practitioners and scholars.
| 3 · 30 h |
| DBA703 | Organizational Strategy & Policy Advanced strategy formulation, competitive dynamics, and policy analysis for senior executives.
| 3 · 30 h |
| DBA704 | Advanced Organizational Behaviour & Leadership Executive leadership theory, organisational change, and behaviour in high-stakes institutions.
| 3 · 30 h |
| DBA705 | Global Management & International Business Globalisation, multinational strategy, and managing across institutional and cultural boundaries.
| 3 · 30 h |
| DBA706 | Ethics in Business & Management Corporate responsibility, governance failures, and ethical leadership in regulated industries.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| DBA711 | Disciplined Inquiry I: Qualitative Research Methods Case study design, interviews, ethnography, and thematic analysis for applied doctoral research.
| 3 · 30 h |
| DBA712 | Disciplined Inquiry II: Quantitative & Statistical Analysis Survey methods, multivariate statistics, and quantitative inference for management research.
|
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| DBA801 | Doctoral Research Proposal Defence Formal defence of the doctoral research proposal before the faculty doctoral committee.
| 0 |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| DBA802 | Doctoral Dissertation Research Supervised original research: data collection, analysis, thesis drafting, and revision cycles.
| 24 · 240 h |
| DBA803 | Doctoral Viva & Dissemination Final oral examination, thesis approval, and dissemination to academic and practitioner forums.
|
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 3–4 years. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Arab Leadership University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@aleaderuni.com.
Recognised & Accredited
| 3 · 30 h |
| DBA713 | Research Design & Literature Synthesis Systematic reviews, conceptual models, and doctoral proposal architecture.
| 3 · 30 h |
| DBA714 | Business Intelligence & Executive Decision-Making Analytics, evidence synthesis, and decision science for C-suite research and practice.
| 3 · 30 h |
| 0 |