The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a rigorous and practice-focused doctoral program designed for experienced professionals who aim to elevate their leadership capabilities and contribute to both industry and academia. Structured over three years, the program combines advanced coursework with applied research to develop scholar-practitioners capable of solving complex business challenges.
The coursework phase (Part A) comprises 200 UK credits awarded by Cambridge International Qualification, UK, and covers a comprehensive set of modules, which are designed to build strong foundations in strategic thinking, leadership, innovation, global economics, and evidence-based decision-making.
Following the coursework, candidates advance to the research phase (Part B), which consists of Dissertation 1 and Dissertation 2 totaling 15 US credits. During this phase, learners conduct independent, original research addressing real-world business issues under the guidance of experienced faculty mentors.
The DBA program is ideally suited for senior professionals, executives, consultants, and entrepreneurs seeking to deepen their academic and practical understanding of business leadership. With its strong focus on integrating theory and practice, the program empowers graduates to take on influential roles in academia, industry, and policy-making, driving innovation and shaping the future of global business.
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Courses
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Credits
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PART A
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Managing Organizations and Strategic Alignment
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20
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Strategic Management and Organizational Change
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20
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Leading People and Organizations
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20
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Business Sustainability
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20
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International Finance & Economic Environment
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20
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International Marketing & Economic Positioning
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20
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Integrated Operations and Supply Chain Strategy
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20
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Project Leadership, Technology, and Innovation
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20
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Data-driven Decision Making
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20
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Critical Inquiry and Research Methods in Business
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20
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Totak Credits
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200 UK Credits
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PART B
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Dissertation 1
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6
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Dissertation 2
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9
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Total Credits
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15 UK Credits
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Course Description:
This course offers a rigorous examination into managing organizations through the lens of strategic alignment. Students will engage with advanced theories and frameworks that define the functions of management in contemporary organizations, exploring how these roles evolve to address complex strategic challenges. Emphasis is placed on the design and integration of organizational structures, human resource strategies, and control systems to drive overall performance and long-term competitive advantage. Students will also critically assess the role of process management and its intersection with strategic alignment, evaluating their collective impact on organizational performance. Through comprehensive environmental analysis and applied strategic planning, students will also gain the expertise required to lead transformational initiatives that align organizational objectives and strategies with dynamic market demands.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of management functions in organizations and apply advanced theoretical concepts and frameworks to resolve strategic challenges.
LO2: Design integrated organizational structures, human resource strategies, and control systems to enhance employee performance, operational excellence, and strategic competitiveness.
LO3: Critically analyze and review the impact of process management and strategic alignment on organizational performance and the achievement of long-term business objectives.
LO4: Undertake an environmental analysis for an organization and apply the concepts of strategic planning to real-world scenarios.
Course Description:
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of strategic management principles and organizational change processes within complex, dynamic environments. Emphasizing evidence-based decision-making, the course also equips students with the capabilities necessary to craft and implement robust strategic plans that promote sustainable organizational growth. Students will examine the core components of the strategic planning process and design actionable implementation frameworks that align with long-term corporate objectives. In parallel, the course also delves into advanced change management theories, highlighting the critical role of technological innovation and organizational behavior in facilitating successful transformation. The course will also equip students with the necessary competencies to lead large-scale change initiatives, mitigate resistance, and drive strategic alignment across the organization.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Critically analyze the components of the strategic planning process to formulate a comprehensive, evidence-based strategic plan that drives organizational growth and sustainability.
LO2: Design a detailed implementation framework aligned with the strategic plan and organizational goals.
LO3: Critically evaluate the application of change management theories and frameworks for leading complex organizational transformational initiatives which include the role of technological innovations.
LO4: Develop a change management initiative that aligns with the organization’s mission, vision, and long-term objectives by identifying drivers and barriers to change and formulating interventions to overcome resistance.
Course Description:
This course critically examines the advanced theories, frameworks, and practices of organizational leadership in complex, dynamic, and global environments. Students will learn the application of strategic leadership principles to drive organizational change, manage behavior, and ensure long-term effectiveness and sustainability. The course will also enable students to explore personal leadership development through reflective and evidence-based approaches, constructing individualized leadership growth plans that align with contemporary organizational demands. The course also emphasizes ethical leadership practices, enabling participants to analyze moral decision-making and cultivate cultures of integrity, accountability, and trust within diverse organizational ecosystems.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theories, concepts and frameworks of organizational leadership by applying advanced knowledge to address complex challenges within a globalized context.
LO2: Develop and implement strategic leadership initiatives that manage organizational behavior, facilitate change, and enhance overall organizational effectiveness and sustainability.
LO3: Design and execute personal leadership development plans grounded in self-awareness and evidence-based leadership practices to foster continual professional development.
LO4: Critically analyze and review ethical principles and moral behavior within organizations, and examine the role of ethical leadership within diverse organizational contexts.
Course Description:
This course focuses on the critical examination of sustainable business practices and their strategic integration into contemporary organizational frameworks. Focusing on the theoretical and practical intersections of corporate social responsibility, ethics, and sustainability, the course fosters advanced analytical capabilities in students that will enable them to assess how these domains collectively influence long-term stakeholder value and organizational success. Through this course, students will explore the dynamic interplay between environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability, and critically evaluate the regulatory and compliance complexities inherent in implementing sustainability-driven initiatives. Through in-depth case analysis and applied strategy development, students will be equipped to formulate comprehensive and ethically grounded sustainability strategies that align with global standards and advance competitive advantage for the organization.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theories, concepts and frameworks of sustainable business practices with an emphasis on their integration into corporate strategy.
LO2: Critically analyze the interrelationship between corporate social responsibility, ethics, and sustainability, assessing their collective impact on organizational success and long-term stakeholder value.
LO3: Critically review the influence of environmental, social, and economic factors on business sustainability, and evaluate the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing sustainability initiatives.
LO4: Develop a sustainable business strategy by applying complex ethical reasoning and an in-depth understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks.
Course Description:
This course focuses on the comprehensive examination of the international financial landscape and the corresponding economic environment, with a particular emphasis on the strategic implications for multinational organizations. The course will equip students with the analytical tools and conceptual frameworks necessary to navigate and influence decision-making in a highly volatile global economy. Students will engage with advanced financial theories, risk management practices, and economic models to formulate resilient strategies that drive organizational success. The course will also foster a rigorous scholarly approach to evaluating the impact of various environmental variables, encouraging the synthesis of empirical research and theoretical insights for high-level strategic planning and policy formulation. Students will also learn about advanced financial and economic theories in dynamic international contexts and their role in influencing business strategy.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Critically analyze the global financial and economic environments and evaluate their impact on financial decision-making in multinational organizations.
LO2: Formulate and assess advanced financial strategies for multinational firms, including foreign exchange risk management, derivatives utilization, and international financing instruments to support global operational resilience and profitability.
LO3: Critically review and evaluate the impact of macroeconomic and political risks on international investment and operations by synthesizing research findings to inform high-level strategic planning and policy formulation.
LO4: Apply and critique advanced theories of economics and assess the influence of business strategy on business economics.
Course Description:
This course focuses on the study of international marketing within the context of complex national and global economic environments. Students will learn how environmental factors influence international marketing decisions and their consequential effects on organizational positioning and strategy. They will also engage in the design and implementation of integrated marketing strategies to address the demands of diverse consumer segments and rapidly evolving global markets. Through a comprehensive analysis of brand expansion challenges and strategic use of market intelligence and economic levers, students will develop the skills to understand competitive positioning and profitability in international contexts. The course culminates with the development of comprehensive international marketing plans that integrate theoretical insights with practical considerations across varied competitive and economic landscapes.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Critically analyze and evaluate the impact of national and global environment on international marketing decisions, and assess their implications for organizational positioning and strategic agility.
LO2: Design integrated international marketing strategies, including digital marketing and analytics that effectively adapt the marketing mix to diverse consumer segments and evolving global market conditions.
LO3: Critically analyze the strategic considerations and challenges involved in brand expansion across international markets, leveraging market intelligence and economic levers to optimize competitive positioning and profitability.
LO4: Develop a comprehensive international marketing plan taking into consideration various competitive and economic scenarios.
Course Description:
This course focuses on the comprehensive exploration of foundational theories and advanced concepts underpinning integrated operations and supply chain management. It equips students with the knowledge of analytical frameworks necessary to critically evaluate how integrated operational strategies can drive enterprise-wide performance in increasingly complex and dynamic global markets. Students will engage in critical analyses of the strategic roles played by diverse stakeholders and participants, core processes, and operational levers within contemporary supply chains. The course will also focus on the understanding of building resilience, optimizing efficiency, and promoting sustainability across end-to-end supply chain networks. Additionally, the course explores the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies, such as Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and artificial intelligence, in revolutionizing supply chain integration and operational excellence.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key theories and concepts in operations and supply chain management.
LO2: Critically analyze and review the strategic significance of integrated operations and supply chain management, and their importance in enhancing enterprise-wide performance.
LO3: Critically evaluate the role of different participants, processes and key operational levers and analyze their impact in enhancing the resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of modern supply chains.
LO4: Critically synthesize multiple perspectives on the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as IoT, blockchain and AI–driven to guide end-to-end supply chain efficiency.
Course Description:
This course focuses on the interplay between project leadership, technology adoption, and innovation within the context of contemporary organizations. Students will explore contemporary project management methodologies within the context of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in innovation-driven environments. They will also engage in the study of core theories and emerging paradigms in technology and innovation management, assessing their impact on organizational transformation and sustained competitive advantage. The course will also enable students to explore the strategic role of leadership in cultivating a culture of innovation, aligning technological advancements with enterprise objectives, and navigating the challenges of digital disruption. Students will learn the design and development of comprehensive technology transformation plans that integrate the principles of project leadership with innovation strategy to enable high-impact organizational change.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Critically analyze and review project management methodologies (including Six Sigma and Lean Principles) to plan, monitor, and lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
LO2: Critically review the fundamental concepts related to technology and innovation within organizations, and evaluate their impact in driving organizational change and providing a competitive advantage.
LO3: Critically examine the role of leadership and management in fostering technology-driven innovation.
LO4: Develop a comprehensive technology transformation plan, synthesizing principles from project leadership, technology, and innovation management.
This course equips students with the theoretical concepts and analytical capabilities necessary to lead data-driven strategic decision-making in organizations. Emphasizing a deep engagement with business analytics, students will explore varied tools and methodologies through this course, and evaluate their usefulness in providing insights to address organizational challenges across diverse industries and functional domains. Students will learn to apply a wide range of analytical techniques to uncover strategic insights and resolve complex business problems with data. Students will also critically engage with research findings, business case analyses, and scholarly literature to evaluate methodological robustness, interpretive validity, and practical relevance, thereby fostering the ability to practice evidence-based management.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of advanced business analytics concepts and methodologies, and evaluate their applicability to complex organizational and strategic contexts.
LO2: Apply and integrate a wide range of analytical techniques to diagnose, interpret, and resolve multifaceted business problems using data-driven insights.
LO3: Formulate strategic business decisions through the synthesis of analytical findings, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and sustainability imperatives.
LO4: Critically analyze and evaluate research findings, business analyses, and scholarly literature, demonstrating the ability to assess methodological soundness, interpretive validity, and practical relevance.
Course Description:
This course equips students with the conceptual and methodological competencies required to engage in research in the field of business and management. It emphasizes critical inquiry as a cornerstone of work, enabling students to systematically formulate research questions and undertake research. The course provides a comprehensive examination of both qualitative and quantitative research paradigms, including the selection of data collection methods, sampling techniques, and analytical tools tailored to varied business contexts. Through an engagement with seminal and contemporary academic literature, students will learn to critically assess existing research, identify gaps, and contribute to theory-building and practice-enhancement. Students will also focus on the development of research-based insights that support evidence-based decision-making and advance theory and practice.
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Critically evaluate theories and principles of business research, demonstrating an ability to formulate research questions and objectives that address complex, real-world business challenges.
LO2: Design sound research strategies by selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative data collection and sampling techniques aligned with specific research problems in business.
LO3: Apply critical thinking and analytical reasoning to systematically assess literature, identify research gaps, and evaluate research findings within the field of business and management.
LO4: Integrate strategic problem-solving and reflective inquiry to develop innovative, research-based insights that contribute to evidence-informed decision-making and the advancement of business theory and practice.
Dissertation 1 is designed to guide students in the Doctor of Business Administration program through the initial phases of the dissertation journey. The course focuses on the development of the defense and equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to formulate a rigorous research proposal and defend it before a committee. Students will engage in a systematic process to explore relevant literature and design a research project relevant to their selected dissertation topic.
This course guides the doctoral candidate through the final stages of the dissertation process.Building on the foundational knowledge acquired in the Dissertation 1 class, this course addresses obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, completing the manuscript, preparing for and delivering a successful oral defense presentation, and understanding the copyright application process.
About Acacia University
Acacia University, Arizona, US, stands as a symbol of regeneration, perseverance, and integrity and is on a mission to make learning a long-lasting, invigorating experience.
Founded in 2003, Acacia University provides accessible, quality education to a multi-cultural, global learning community through online/distance learning. Acacia offers academic programs at the master’s level in elementary education, secondary education, English as a second language, and educational administration as well as a doctorate in educational leadership. It also features non-degree studies such as Certificate Programs and Professional Development Programs to provide focused training in specialized areas for adult learners. Designed by educators to envisage the possibilities of the learner’s career, the educational programs offered by Acacia are affordable, convenient, supportive, and relevant.
Acacia University envisions a change by empowering learners to expand their abilities, revive their passion in their respective fields, and develop their capacities for new roles. Acacia commits to providing unparalleled learning standards by delivering the highest quality educational programs through smart, innovative forms of learning.
About CIQ
Cambridge International Qualifications (CIQ) is a professional awarding organization based in the UK. CIQ develops and accredits qualifications designed to meet the needs of learners and the industry sectors in order to provide individuals with opportunities for personal and professional development. Recognised and accredited by awarding organisations such as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) and Northern Council for Further Education (NCFE), CIQ has gained a reputation for providing high-quality support and services to educational sectors in Europe.
CIQ-accredited courses and qualifications show that the learning activities and qualifications have met the required Centre for International Qualifications standards and benchmarks. The learning value has been inspected to ensure integrity and quality. CIQ Accreditation gives recognised independent accreditation consistent with global standards and criteria.
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