Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The DBA programme is for business leaders, entrepreneurs and senior executives interested in generating new management ideas and practices; and learning and applying advanced research techniques to solve complex real world business and management problems.  The CityU DBA aims to develop senior executives who can discover and advance knowledge and practice in their fields through rigorous applied research emphasising both academic rigor and business relevance.

Applicants are expected to possess:

• a Master's degree in a business related discipline in good standing from a recognized university, or the equivalent; and
• a substantial amount of professional work experience* of which some are at a senior level.

* Typical applicants will have over 10 years of work experience, although outstanding applicants with less work experience are also welcome.

In exceptional circumstances, candidates with professional qualifications or other scholarly achievements, plus substantial senior managerial experience, may be considered. Applicants holding a relevant Bachelor’s degree with first class honours or the equivalent from a recognized university, and the requisite work experience at a senior level, will also be considered.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English should also fulfill the following minimum English proficiency requirement:

• a TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based) or 237 (computer-based) or 92 (internet-based); or
• other equivalent test score.

Core Courses  (15 credits)

• Methodology for Applied Business Research I
• Methodology for Applied Business Research II
• Methodology for Applied Business Research III
• Residential Workshop I ^{^}
• Residential Workshop II ^{^}
• Research Development Workshop

^{^} Participants need to pay extra cost for the trip in addition to the credit unit fees required for the courses

Electives (12 credits)

• Any 12 credits of courses from existing taught postgraduate programmes offered by the College of Business and/or DBA prescribed electives.

Thesis (30 credits)

• It is an independent piece of work that requires participants to critically and rigorously examine a topic of practical interest in the field of business or management that is relevant to their profession.

• The DBA Programme draws on collaborative efforts and expertise across the Business College’s six member departments including Accountancy, Economics and Finance, Information Systems, Management, Management Sciences and Marketing.  It has a focus on the development of applied research skills in a wide range of interdisciplinary areas like knowledge and innovation management, corporate governance, accounting, finance, e-business, internet marketing, and international economics, etc.
• DBA thesis mentors are senior faculty members with up to date understandings of business practice; business advisors or practitioners acting as professional supervisors may be allocated when necessary to ensure the professional content and relevance of theses.
• Core courses taught by College academics and renowned local and overseas adjunct/visiting faculty to give participants an international perspective.
• Only one research methodology course offered each semester to suit the busy schedules of senior executives.  Intensive mode of attendance for these core courses: one weekend (Saturday afternoon and Sunday) every month for about 4 months in each semester.
• Two residential workshops to keep participants abreast of the latest issues and interdisciplinary knowledge in the business field.
• Regular research development workshops to allow students from different cohorts and graduates to interact through presenting their research and participating in the sharing sessions.

College of Business: https://www.cb.cityu.edu.hk/