To develop strong business acumen applicable in executive-level positions, business leaders seeking a spot in the C-suite (or to advance in their current positions) may look beyond professional development programs and training seminars. The online Doctor of Business Administration degree — referred to as a DBA program — is a graduate degree that emphasizes the technical, analytical, and leadership skills required for career advancement in all sectors of business.
So, what can you do with a DBA degree? By evaluating your own career goals and examining the scope of this graduate degree program, you can decide if the DBA program is ideal for you.
What Is a DBA Degree?
The DBA degree is considered a terminal degree program in the business world. It is designed to allow students to build advanced acumen while growing as innovators, thought leaders, change agents, and special knowledge experts. In addition, it helps prepare those looking to launch their own consultancy business or pursue an academic career in college/university teaching.
With an emphasis on applied research and developing new business theories, the DBA sets itself apart from the MBA degree, which largely centers on the practical application of business skills. While MBA degrees focus primarily on the pillars of business, along with practical skills for leadership positions, a DBA program builds upon that leadership experience and requires students to explore the real-world applications of the latest business research — equipping them with practical and research skills needed for executive-level positions.
Throughout the DBA program, students explore the complex business challenges taking shape in the current economy and learn how to apply the latest business research in practical settings in order to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions.
DBA vs. PhD in Business
Both the DBA program and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business are terminal, doctoral-level degree programs that focus on business research. The PhD in Business degree focuses more on academic research and theories, offering students targeted preparation for a career in academia. The DBA program prepares students for teaching, too, but can also be optimal for business professionals who want to continue working in corporate settings and are passionate about applying the latest business research findings to organizational strategies.
Career Paths With a DBA Degree
DBA graduates are equipped with the advanced critical thinking and leadership skills required to pursue a variety of career paths in business, including those in both the private and public sectors. Below are examples of career opportunities you can consider after earning your DBA:
Executive Leadership Roles
DBA holders are uniquely prepared to take on executive-level positions across all business sectors. According to McKinsey & Company, the C-suite consists of all executives who are responsible for overseeing operations at an organization, including:
- Chief executive officer (CEO)
- Chief financial officer (CFO)
- Chief operations officers (COO)
- Chief technology officer (CTO) or chief information officer (CIO)
As DBA graduates have the ability to evaluate, analyze, and apply business theory, they are well-suited to fill executive- and senior-level positions in which they develop and implement intentionally crafted organizational strategies.
Hospitality Leadership Roles
Selecting a DBA program with a concentration in hospitality leadership, graduates can pursue niche senior leadership opportunities in this field. A few such roles that DBA Hospitality Leadership graduates might consider include:
- Restaurant executive
- Talent acquisition and human resources (HR)
- Real estate merging and acquisition
- Hotel general manager
- Sales and marketing director
Management Consulting
The DBA program enables business leaders to explore advanced business theory and how to apply the most recent business research findings in practical settings. According to Business Because, graduates can become considered subject-matter experts in distinct areas of business, giving them the ability to pursue management consulting positions and carve out a flexible, lucrative career path in an area they are passionate about.
Academia and Higher Education
Recognized as a terminal degree program for those interested in careers in academia, the DBA degree equips graduates with the advanced research and analytical skills needed to pursue paths in higher education. Graduates may be able to explore opportunities to teach and lead academic programs as well as conduct applied research in universities.
Entrepreneurship
Highlighting the practical and technical skills required to conceptualize and analyze business problems, the DBA program prepares aspiring entrepreneurs to launch and scale their own business. This doctoral degree program exposes students to advanced business concepts and new business theories, allowing them to gain exposure to new perspectives and ideas. Graduates leave with an ability to be both innovative and strategic — ideal for those wanting to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors.
Government and Nonprofit Leadership
The advanced business acumen developed throughout the DBA program can be applied to leadership roles in public service and nonprofit organizations, especially within strategy and operations. To maximize success and the efficiency of public funding, leaders at government agencies and nonprofit organizations approach their organizational strategy with a business mindset.
Specialized Career Opportunities by Industry
Prerequisites for admission into a DBA program generally entail holding a master’s degree in business (or related studies) and five or more years of industry people management (or equivalent) experience as a business educator. Students can actively apply what they are learning in the program to their work and, by the end, be equipped to contribute and innovate at a higher level as thought leaders or senior executives.
With this in mind, the following specialized career opportunities allow DBA graduates to personalize their career paths and seek leadership opportunities that align with their professional interests in the business sector.
Healthcare
The nature of the fast-evolving healthcare landscape calls for industry leaders to develop evidence-backed organizational strategies that maximize the use of resources, streamline operations at healthcare facilities, and promote positive patient outcomes. DBA graduates may be able to pursue healthcare administration or strategy consultant positions, as these revolve around operational management and regulatory compliance.
Finance
Preparing them for finance-related roles, the DBA program’s career-focused curriculum requires students to complete courses that provide a comprehensive understanding of the core functions of business, accounting, and organizational strategy and design. Graduates may pursue executive-level financial positions and senior leadership roles in financial strategy or risk management.
Skills Gained From a DBA Program
The DBA curriculum is strategically designed to promote high-level skill development. Skills gained throughout the DBA degree program include:
- Strategic thinking – Graduates leave with an enhanced ability to conceptualize and address complex business challenges, allowing them to create and implement impactful organizational strategies.
- Research and data analysis – With an emphasis on applied research, this program helps graduates hone their ability to create evidence-based solutions.
- Leadership and change management – Throughout DBA coursework, students exercise their leadership and change management skills in order to effectively guide organizations into the future.
- Financial acumen – Students develop a better understanding of contemporary financial strategy and accounting, which helps them have a direct impact on organizational success.
- Ethical and global decision-making – The curriculum for this doctoral degree is rooted in ethics, giving students the unique ability to address business challenges from a global perspective.
- Communication and influence – Throughout the program, students can practice and improve the communication skills necessary for organizational optimization and growth.
Is a DBA Degree Worth It?
The DBA degree requires an investment of your time and financial resources, but many graduates find that the overall return on investment (ROI) makes it a worthwhile commitment. Earning a DBA elevates your potential for career advancement, as it intends to prepare graduates for executive-level leadership and consulting in business and other industries.
In terms of job security, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment within business and financial occupations to grow faster than the national average from 2023 to 2033. Earnings vary, depending on your occupation and level of experience; however, in general, those with a doctorate-level degree tend to enjoy higher earning potential overall.
Final Thoughts on Earning a DBA
Preparing professionals to lead in ever-changing business environments, the DBA degree opens the doors to a wide range of career benefits. Do you aspire to be an effective, forward-thinking business leader who can create and implement strategic solutions to the most intricate of business problems? This may be the right degree program for you.
What Can You Do With a DBA Degree? Find Out More at Johnson & Wales University Online
Senior leaders in today’s dynamic business landscape strive to successfully develop and implement a results-driven organizational strategy that helps the company secure a competitive advantage. At JWU Online, the Doctor of Business Administration degree helps equip graduate students with the advanced research, critical thinking, and analytical skills required to ethically address business challenges and develop innovative solutions. While this degree program is designed for students in organizational leadership positions across all sectors,students can choose from two distinct tracks tailored to their professional goals: the online Doctor of Business Administration Organization Development and the online Doctor of Business Administration Hospitality Leadership degree.
For more information about completing your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].