Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)

The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is intended to provide further preparation and skills for senior working professionals to reenter industry upon graduation. Both educational qualifications and work experience are taken into consideration for admission to the DBA program.

Program Structure​

The DBA program is offered in two semesters:​​​ January and August

The DBA is a flexible program. Students can complete their study within 3 to 6 years, depending on their study plan

​In the first year, the research method courses for the DBA Program are delivered on weekends (six hours per weekend) in the School of Management Asoke Campus (in 2020, many students have joined weekend classes via Zoom – this flexibility is expected to continue for the foreseeable future). After that, meetings with supervisors take place via Zoom or in person.

DBA Degree Requirements:

All DBA candidates are expected to:

Complete a minimum of 18 credits coursework with a minimum cGPA of 3.25.

Previous MBA or equivalent Master Degree graduates (within the previous five years) may apply for a ‘Transfer of Credits’ for up to 6 credits of relevant coursework, subject to AIT criteria

Complete a doctoral dissertation (66 credits);

Defend the dissertation at an oral examination;

Obtain a satisfactory evaluation of the dissertation from the External Examiner.

18 credits of coursework consisting of:

Research method courses (9 credits)

Knowledge building courses (6 credits)

Special study (3 credits)

Entry Requirements

Completion of online DBA application.

one recommendation letter is needed.

Bachelor Degree: Completion of a four-year Bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution with strong academic records and submission of academic transcript and certificate of degree. It is recognized there is variation among grading systems in regions of the world. There is, however, a minimum of 2.75/4.0 GPA from the undergraduate degree

Master’s Degree: A master’s degree from a recognized institution prior to entry to the DBA is preferred. However, if one does not have a master’s degree prior to entry to the DBA, eligibility will be based on their professional experience and equivalent qualifications. For those DBA students admitted without a master’s degree, additional coursework may normally be required.

Work Experience: On average, our DBA students have more than 10 years of work experience.

All candidates must have evidence of English proficiency (please see below for more details)

English Requirements

The minimum requirement for doctoral applicants is 5.5 (minimum entry requirement).

As a requirement for graduation, students must attain a score of 6.0 on the AIT English Writing or must successfully complete EL19.

Exemption: Applicants who are citizens of and have been educated in an English-speaking country (e.g., Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA) are exempted from score submission. Proof of citizenship and studies must be submitted.

A Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) equips senior professionals with advanced skills in research, strategic thinking, and leadership, positioning them for executive roles, consultancy, or entrepreneurial ventures. Graduates often reenter industry in high-level management positions, utilizing their expertise to drive innovation and strategic growth within organizations. The DBA program's focus on applied research and practical knowledge ensures that graduates can address complex business challenges, making them valuable assets in both corporate and academic settings.