Ever thought of adding a Dr. in front of your name? In reality, you have two options: the ‘Doctor of Business Administration’ (DBA) or the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Each holds great respect and a level of prestige, but they mean different things in the world of work and academia.
The DBA is a more practical choice - more about rigorously ‘doing’ than ‘knowing’ - while the PhD is a more theoretical endeavor. Think about it this way: the PhD is about building better theories and tools to address unanswered questions. The DBA is about using the theories and tools to address real-world issues in a rigorous way. Thus, choosing between the two requires some in-depth thought and discussion of the core differences, purposes, and values.
What Is a DBA, and Who Is It For?
Both the DBA and the PhD are about using rigorous research methods but for different purposes. At its core, a DBA is a professional doctorate for business executives who want to use specific tools (i.e. theories, academic study, and methods) to tackle concrete industry problems. It is not the same as a PhD, which in contrast, is about developing the tools. The DBA is about coming up with good and useful ideas that are grounded in best academic practice, and not simply with the business one.
A candidate for a DBA, for instance, might take on the problem of how to change an organization’s culture for the better, but rather than base the solution on intuition or basic analysis of available data, a DBA student will use an existing tool to rigorously analyze the program and explore various paths toward sustainable business growth.
A colleague pursuing a PhD would study the culture change process and derive a generalized model of culture change which is more effective than existing ones and work hard towards convincing other academics that the new tool is in fact better, perhaps with rigorous methods.
What Is a PhD, and Who Is It For?
The academic degree known as the PhD centers on advancing an academic field’s knowledge through intense research that is deeply strong in terms of theory and methods. While such work can be practical, most often it is theoretical, abstract and sometimes viewed by practice as esoteric.
Those who take on the PhD are aiming to understand new theory and outcomes in relevant academic fields. They often look to challenge understanding of the status quo. They do this by seeking to conduct rigorous academic research with advanced theory and methods. Often publishing research in academic journals, those who pursue a PhD often do so because they plan to work in academia or in research-heavy industries.
To use an analogy, let’s say research tools were chef’s knives. A PhD candidate would innovate the knife’s design, ensuring it works better for the culinary tasks at hand. A DBA candidate, on the other hand, would instead learn to rigorously use the knife to debone a quail (to use a particularly challenging task as an example).
Purpose and Goals
Both are about developing something new. Both are about novelty.
The PhD is about contributing to the theory of an academic field - recall the tools above. Ultimately you get the degree for a new, and better tool. Your job is to convince other tool technicians (i.e. academics, professors, research scientists) that the tool is not only new but also better than existing tools.
The DBA is about the practice of management. ‘Management’ is etymologically related to ‘hands’ and that’s precisely what the DBA is about: actually using tools to solve concrete business problems. The DBA degree is awarded for particularly novel (new context, surprising or more sophisticated usage) use of existing and rigorous tools.
Research Approach
In a nutshell, the PhD is about abstraction, while the DBA is about application. The DBA candidates focus their work on topics that will help them make a direct and immediate impact on the business world, but done so in a rigorous manner which contrasts the approach often used in the real world that is anchored in time-constrained intuition.
By contrast, PhD programs and students place a premium on theoretical inquiry and sophisticated methods. Work done for a PhD often centers on the sorts of abstract ideas and models that are well suited for academic influence and impact, often in the longer term. Such a program is well-suited for those who wish to contribute to conversations within the academic world that really matter to be had.
Program Structure
DBA programs combine research methods and theory, classes, case studies, and practical assessments, offering a flexible structure ideal for senior professionals balancing careers and academics. The DBA's combination of structured milestones and a flexible schedule allows a student to balance a busy career and life while pursuing academic training. A DBA program is typically cohort-based, i.e. with substantial peer-to-peer learning and a guided learning journey.
In contrast, PhD programs are much more academically intense, and as such require full-time attention of the student. The candidate spends several years in vigorous study and independent research, and the demands of the program require the candidate to immerse themselves in their chosen field. As such, a PhD program tends to put a premium on individual study, reflection and sensemaking.
Time Commitment
A DBA program usually takes 3–5 years to finish. The flexible format allows candidates to align their studies with the demands of their professional duties and personal obligations, making it a practical option for senior leaders who cannot hit the pause button on their careers.
The usual time required to complete a PhD program is up to 5-7 years. The rate of student progress greatly influences the program's length; how fast or how slow a a person moves from one stage of the program to another determines when that student will meet all requirements.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the DBA program are primed to take their careers up a notch and move into senior management, consultancy, or board-level roles.
The program's heavy focus on not just research aimed practical problem-solving that equips graduates to deliver value to their careers, organizations and broader society. Another way to say this is that DBA graduates are well-positioned to move into roles where they not only lead practically, but also theoretically.
Unlike DBA candidates, PhDs tend to choose academic or research careers. They are typically drawn to roles such as professors, researchers, or policy advisors, where they can further theoretical exploration and contribute to leading their chosen field.
Is a DBA or PhD Right for You?
Choosing the right route hinges on your professional goals, your ambitions, and the kind of difference you want to make after completing the program.
Consider a DBA if:
- You are an experienced executive ready to confront genuine business challenges in a rigorous manner.
- You require a part-time, flexible program that merges with your professional and personal commitments.
- You are looking to improve your leadership skills, make an impact and create immediate worth in your organization or society.
Consider a PhD if:
- Theoretical research using sophisticated methods that advanceme academic knowledge.
- You have a career aspiration in academia, teaching, a research organization or the development of policy.
- You are set to commit yourself to an intense, full-time program of study that is not just occupied but well occupied with several forms of intellectual inquiry.
