Doctor of Business Administration

The goal of the DBA is to increase the competencies of practising managers and business professionals and to better equip them with the capability to make a leadership contribution to their own organisations, wider industries and communities.

The University of Newcastle DBA is coursework-focused, with two-thirds of the award related to high level coursework in business studies and one third of the award focused on research training.

The program will develop in graduates rigorous, in-depth, analytical and critically self-reflective skills well beyond the Masters level. The DBA will also provide business executives with the tools to undertake significant applied research in order to perform in an increasingly competitive global business environment.

The curriculum offers successful candidates a highly customised program including further advanced postgraduate study beyond that achieved in an MBA. Courses extend the candidate's knowledge in new areas not previously undertaken and/or deepen their knowledge in a chosen field.

Senior executive positions in a wide range of commercial and non commercial enterprises

A recognised Master of Business, Master of Business Administration or equivalent Masters degree and a minimum of two years work experience.

International applicants must also satisfy the University's English Language Requirements.

Credit may be granted in recognition of a recognised MBA, completed within the last ten years.

Credit will be granted by the Pro Vice-Chancellor on a case by case basis according to the Rules Governing Professional Doctorates.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements.

The DBA currently only offers the general management stream.

Three years full-time or part-time equivalent. Students may commence studies in January, May or September through Weblearn or in July at HKMA. Please check term dates on the University website at: www.newcastle.edu.au/dates/.

The DBA program of 240 units is offered over three years of full-time study. It is also available in part-time mode over six years. One year's advanced standing (80 units) may be given for completion of a recognised MBA completed within the last 10 years, as the first year of study requires completion of the core of the MBA to provide a foundation for business studies. The second year requires completion of six (60 units) DBA courses and two (20 units) research training courses.

The third year consists of two further research training courses (20 units), and an applied project dissertation (60 units) of approximately 30,000 to 40,000 words. In the final year each student will be allocated a supervisor appropriate to his or her research area who is an experience and research-trained academic.

From Trimester 1 2012, a number of new and revised postgraduate courses will be offered as part of newly structured Faculty of Business and Law postgraduate programs. Many of these courses will be direct replacements for courses offered in 2011 and earlier. The list of equivalent courses can be viewed at: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/Resources/Faculties/Faculty of Business and Law/Resources/Students/2011/2012-FBL-PG-Course-Equivalences261011.pdf . Students should contact their Program Officer or Program Convenor for individual advice.