Doctor of Business Administration
A professional doctorate for senior professionals enhancing leadership capabilities through research-backed approaches.
Program Overview
Equivalent in status and challenge to a PhD, Calwest's professional doctorate is for senior professionals looking to advance their careers by enhancing their leadership capabilities and experiencing first-hand the power of an innovative, research-backed approach to today's workplace challenges.
Who Is This For?
- Holders of both Undergraduate and Masters degrees
- Senior professionals seeking doctoral-level qualification
- Leaders wanting research-backed approaches to challenges
- MBAs looking to further their academic credentials
Program Delivery
- 100% online through Calwest Tubeclasses platform
- Research-focused curriculum with supervisor guidance
- Self-paced study with structured milestones
- Doctoral-level assessments and dissertation
Eligibility
- Current ICMA membership (or pay membership renewal as part of the Calwest application)
- Recognized undergraduate degree AND master's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
- For the DBA for MBAs pathway: an existing MBA receives 33 RPL credit hours; only 27 hours of research are required
- CMAs without an MBA are advised to first complete the MBA for CMAs pathway, then progress to DBA for MBAs
Research Essay
All DBA applicants must submit an essay of 3–4 pages titled “My objectives in undertaking Doctoral Research” as part of the application package. From the Research Proposal stage onwards you will be assigned an individual supervisor to guide you through your proposal and thesis (25,000–50,000 words), which is marked by two independent examiners.
English Proficiency
Applicants without prior academic experience in an English language environment must meet one of the following minimum scores:
- TOEFL — 530 (paper) / IBT 71 (internet-based)
- IELTS — 6.5
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) — 50
- CEFR — B2
- ACT Compass — Level 3
Pathways & Cost
Cost ranges from US$11,750 (DBA for MBAs, or DBA with maximum RPL credit) up to US$18,350 (DBA with no RPL credit). Coursework courses are US$800 each; research courses are US$1,000 each. See the ICMA Members pathways page for full breakdowns.
