Skip to content | Change text size
 

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The Monash DBA gives you the freedom to continue working in your chosen field and to study for your degree at the same time - via coursework and a major research component relevant to your career.

 

  

The Distinct Business Advantage that the Monash DBA offers you is an unlimited range of research topics and areas, as well as global expertise in business and economics. The Monash DBA is flexible and addresses strategic issues across a broad spectrum of interests and occupations. Research is both theoretical and practical and is supervised in the Faculty of Business and Economics by academics in Accounting and Finance, Business Law and Taxation, Economics, Econometrics and Business Statistics, Management and Marketing. The Monash DBA gives you the tools you need to achieve the best in business administration and enhance your career prospects and marketability as a business manager.

Professor Felix Mavondo,
Associate Dean (Higher Degrees by Research) & DBA Program Director

Objectives of the DBA program

  • Provide a high-quality professional doctorate in the area of business administration and related areas.
  • Extend the knowledge, expertise and skill of students through the application of research to business problems and issues.
  • Facilitate in-depth study of particular aspects of business administration.
  • Provide access to the latest academic theories, concepts and techniques.
  • Provide experience in the design and implementation of research in the broad field of business administration.
  • Develop the candidate's ability to carry out independent research at an advanced level, together with their analytical and written communication skills.
  • To make a significant contribution to knowledge and/or to the understanding of one or more aspects of business administration through the research component of the degree.

DBA admission criteria

Applicants should have:

  • successfully completed a minimum of one unit in a quantitative area at either graduate or undergraduate level; and

  • either graduated with or have qualified for a degree or its equivalent, in any field of business administration with honours class 1 or honours class 2 division A in this university; or

  • graduated with a Masters by Coursework in any field of business administration with an equivalent honours class 1 or honours class 2 division A pass, or a Masters by Research degree; or

  • completed a course leading to a masters preliminary qualification in this university at a level rated by the relevant department and faculty as equivalent to honours class 1 or honours class 2 division A in this university; or possess

  • qualifications that are equivalent to, or are a satisfactory substitute for, any of the qualifications above. This may include relevant industry experience.

  • In addition, you should have a minimum of two years professional experience, preferably four years, in any field of business administration.

Applicants must also satisfy prescribed English language requirements for doctoral students.

Application procedure

Course fees

  • Australian citizens and permanent residents will be eligible for a Commonwealth Research Training Scheme (RTS) funded place (fee free).
  • International students: the annual course fee is AUD$18,560 per annum (2007).

DBA course structure

The normal length of candidature is three years full-time or six years part-time. As with the PhD, the minimum period of candidature is two years full-time or four years part time; and the maximum is four years full-time and up to eight years part-time.

Full-time structure

Year One
Qualitative Business Research Methods Quantitative Business Research Methods 12 points each

Research Phase 1

Literature Review
OR
Topic chosen by student and supervisor

 26 points
Year Two
Current Issues in Business DBA Seminar* 6 points*

Research Phase 2

Pilot Study / Exploratory Research Study
OR
Topic chosen by student and supervisor

 26 points
Year Three

Research Phase 3

Discrete piece of research
OR
Building on the two earlier pieces of research

 62 points
  • Note that while the DBA Seminar is shown in Year Two, students can attend in Year One and are also expected to attend in Year Three. The DBA Seminar is an unweighted unit.

Part-time structure

Year One
Qualitative Business Research Methods Quantitative Business Research Methods 12 points each
Year Two

Research Phase 1

Literature Review
OR
Topic chosen by student and supervisor

 26 points
Year Three
Current Issues in Business DBA Seminar* 6 points*
Year Four

Research Phase 2

Pilot Study / Exploratory Research Study
OR
Topic chosen by student and supervisor

 26 points
Years Five & Six

Research Phase 3

Discrete piece of research
OR
Building on the two earlier pieces of research

 62 points
  • While a substantial research component is still required in a DBA, the nature of the research differs from that required for a PhD. Course work is specifically designed for the doctoral level i.e., a higher level than Masters and requiring substantial prior knowledge in business administration and related areas.

The Monash DBA comprises four core coursework units and three research phases.

Information for current DBA candidates

Timetable and lecture theatre facilities

All DBA coursework units are delivered at our Caulfield campus. Any adjustments to the DBA timetable and/or teaching staff are shown on a continually updated Timetable. You will be notified by email of any major changes to the timetable.

 

Forms for DBA students

  • Other doctoral candidature forms - including doctoral candidature forms to be submitted on enrolment, Annual Progress Report Form, confirmation of candidature, variations to candidature such as conversion to part- time/full-time enrolment, supervisor change, intermission and withdrawal from candidature are available from the Monash Research Graduate School.

 

Computer labs

Two computer labs, accessible by swipe card, is available for exclusive use of MBA and DBA students and is located on Level 2, Building N. Hardware includes 60 PC computers with Windows operating system; 3 laser printers, Microsoft Office Professional -Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Version 8 Colour Laser Printer, Colour Scanner. Access is available to Networked Applications - Caulfield Library Catalogue, Netscape/WWW, Networked CD Roms,and there is a coin operated photocopier. These computer labs are in addition to those already provided by the university.

 

Student lounge

The Student Lounge, accessible by swipe card, is available for exclusive use of MBA and DBA students and is located on Level 3, Building N and has tea and coffee provided.

 

Seminar rooms

Seminar Rooms on Level 2, Building N are available between 8am and 11pm each day for both MBA and DBA students and are equipped with networked computers, whiteboards and an overhead projector. You can book seminar rooms Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm at the MBA and DBA Programs Reception on Level 3 for a maximum of three hours. Use of these rooms on weekends is on a first in basis.

 

Security

Access to Building N is between 7.30am to 11pm 7 days a week. Your Monash University student ID card allows entry to the MBA/DBA Computer Labs on Level 2, the MBA and DBA Student Lounge on Level 3 and weekend access at Level 2 Building N.

Contact us

For queries on the DBA and any research candidature matters please contact the Faculty Research Office on Clayton Campus.

For departmental specific information relating to research projects, facilities, supervision, etc contact the relevant departmental coordinator.