Program Overview
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Program is one of the highest academic credentials in business practice. The program is designed to transform business executives into innovative business leaders through a rigorous academic experience that integrates research with practical expertise. The DBA empowers professionals to address complex business challenges, drive sustainable impact, and foster ethical, inclusive, and collaborative environments. Students engage in high-level challenges that expand their strategic thinking and research capabilities, enabling them to anticipate global business trends and lead with insight, integrity, and innovation.
Benefits of DBA Program:
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Program equips experienced professionals with advanced capabilities in practice-based research, enabling them to address complex business challenges with academic rigor and strategic insight. Students engage in applied research to generate actionable knowledge, validate theories through robust data analysis, and contribute to innovative, ethical, and sustainable business practices. The program cultivates thought leadership, empowering candidates to influence their industries and communities through evidence-based decision-making. With a flexible weekend class format, working professionals can immediately apply learning to their organizations. Through research collaborations, regional and international networking, and academic engagement, the DBA Program also offers a pathway to contribute to business education and policy development.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the DBA Program are positioned for senior and transformative roles, including:
- C-Level Executive Roles (e.g., CEO, CFO, COO, CMO)
- Board Member / Strategy Advisor
- Entrepreneur / Business Owner
- Academic Faculty Member / Lecturer
- Management Consultant
- Executive Coach / Corporate Trainer
- Chief Innovation or Strategy Officer
- Policy Advisor or Government Consultant
- Author / Researcher / Thought Leader
The program is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE.
The goals of the DBA Program as follows:
- Goal-1: Develop students’ advanced research competencies by equipping them with the skills to design and conduct original research, critically evaluate existing studies, and apply qualitative and quantitative methods to solve complex business problems.
- Goal-2: Enhance students’ practical business knowledge and analytical skills by fostering innovative thinking, integrating cross-functional business knowledge, and developing their ability to solve complex business challenges creatively.
- Goal-3: Promote lifelong learning and personal development by encouraging adaptability, critical self-reflection, goal-setting, and providing resources for ongoing education and professional growth.
- Goal-4: Foster ethical leadership and sustainable business practices by instilling integrity in decision-making, integrating sustainability principles, and promoting corporate social responsibility for positive societal impact.
Upon successful completion of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Program, the graduates of the program will be able to:
- PLO-1: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of advanced business theories and practices, integrating cross-disciplinary insights and entrepreneurial strategies to address complex challenges in the field of business administration.
- PLO-2: Conduct impactful research that contributes new knowledge to the field of business administration, utilizing advanced research methodologies, critical analysis, and innovative approaches to solve complex business problems.
- PLO-3: Integrate advanced research frameworks that produce valuable insights and actionable recommendations to address key challenges in managerial practices.
- PLO-4: Communicate research findings clearly and effectively in both practitioner and scholarly settings, addressing critical business challenges.
- PLO-5: Synthesize ethical principles in research and execute decisions that uphold integrity and professional conduct, ensuring that sustainable business practices are considered in all decisions.
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Program shall be awarded to a student upon completing the following requirements:
The student must:
- Successfully complete 54 credit hours
- Achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Pass the DBA Program comprehensive examination.
- Submit and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation.
Dr. Syed Zamberi Bin Ahmad
Professor
Email: syed.zamberi@cud.ac.ae
Phone: +971(04)7096822246
Office: SOM Building – 2nd Floor
Program Structure
| Requirements | Compulsory
Credit Hours |
Elective
Credit Hours |
Total
Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 21 | 3 | 24 |
| Doctoral Dissertation | 30 | - | 30 |
| Total | 51 | 3 | 54 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Core Courses |
21 Cr. Hr. |
|||
| DBA | 701 | Advanced Business Research Design | None | 3 |
| DBA | 702 | Seminar on Leadership and Organizational Behavior Dynamics | None | 3 |
| DBA | 703 | Seminar on Emerging Technologies for Business Leaders | None | 3 |
| DBA | 704 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | DBA 701 | 3 |
| DBA | 705 | Advanced Quantitative Methods in Business Research | DBA 701 | 3 |
| DBA | 706 | Seminar in Business Strategies and Sustainability | None | 3 |
| DBA | 707 | Academic Writing Practicum | DBA 704, DBA 705 | 3 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Elective Course
|
03 Cr. Hr. |
|||
| DBA | 708 | The Art and Science of Data Analysis | DBA 705 | 3 |
| DBA | 709 | Seminar in Strategic Marketing Decision for Value Creation | DBA 701 | 3 |
| DBA | 710 | Seminar in Managing Dynamic Business Environments | DBA 701 | 3 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Prerequisite | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dissertation |
30 Cr. Hr. |
|||
| DBA | 711 | Doctoral Research Proposal | Successful completion of 24 credit hours | 03 |
| DBA | 712 | Doctoral Dissertation | DBA 711 and Passed Comprehensive Exam | 27 |