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The Doctorate program at the College of Business Administration is now accepting applications for its fall 2024 inaugural class.
The College of Business Administration (CBA) announced on Feb. 5 the addition of a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) program that will begin in fall 2024. The DBA — the first doctorate degree offered within CBA — is designed for current industry professionals looking to further their education. LMU is currently recruiting business leaders in the Los Angeles area and accepting applications for its inaugural class.
“The typical DBA student will have many years of professional work experience who is looking for their next chapter, be that moving into leadership positions, consulting or even moving into higher education teaching,” shared Joshua Spizman, Ph.D., associate dean of faculty and academic programs, in an email to the Loyolan.
The conversation around the development of a DBA program began in spring 2021, but did not actualize until a task force formed in fall 2022. Through market research and strategy, CBA worked to bring a distinct and relevant program to life.
“The DBA is tailored for those who wish to combine their professional practice with academic rigor, offering a pathway to elevate their career in the business sector,” shared Dayle Smith, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business Administration, and Nola Wanta, senior director of business development and strategy, in an email to the Loyolan.
The DBA is a hybrid program, split between research-based initiative and practical application of business practices. The hybrid nature differs from Ph.D. programs, which are mostly theoretical and targeted towards students pursuing academia careers, according to Smith and Wanta.
“This is the future of higher education … There are more graduates [from Ph.D. programs] than there are jobs. What a Doctorate degree does is that it is more professional and job-oriented. It is more specialized to get them ready for the field,” shared Anupama Prabhala, Ph.D., chair of the Academic Program Review Committee and associate professor of film, television and media studies.
The three-year program is broken into two parts. The first two years focus on coursework and theory that are later applied in the third year’s dissertation. Active participation in the industry is emphasized in the program, as students are expected to remain engaged in academic and professional circles throughout their studies.
The DBA program is catered towards seasoned professionals looking to advance their career and improve their credentials in the industry.
A DBA is more feasible for professionals because they are able to work towards future promotion in their field while simultaneously working in the industry. “One of the DBA program’s most attractive features is its flexibility, allowing participants to maintain their professional roles while advancing their education. This flexibility extends to business leaders who may wish to pursue a DBA, recognizing the value of continuous personal and professional development,” added Smith and Wanta.
The addition of a DBA program reinforces LMU’s reputation as a leading research institution. The University has an R2 Carnegie Classification, which indicates high research activity — according to Smith, the University’s national ranking is dependent on the growth of doctoral programs.
“The DBA program aligns seamlessly with the College of Business Administration’s mission to provide comprehensive, forward-thinking business education … The addition of the DBA program was crucial to fill a gap in advanced, practice-oriented business education that supports experienced professionals in their pursuit of higher-level strategic roles,” shared Smith and Wanta. “This program enhances the academic stature of the CBA — a win for all of our programs.”
The announcement of the Doctorate program came just before Feb. 13, LMU’s Day of Giving, where CBA was the second-highest donation earner, just behind athletics.
“We currently do not have a program that has a research focus. I do not think a Ph.D. program is the right fit for us, but the DBA is the perfect blend of applied research for us,” shared Spizman. “Our current portfolio of programs does not necessarily have a degree offering for the seasoned professional looking to build their research skills and prepare for their next career stage. It is an exciting addition to the CBA portfolio of graduate education.”
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