DBA vs. PhD in Business Administration: Which Path Is Right for You?

Which degree is right for me: DBA vs PhD?

Doctorates in Business Administration (DBAs) and Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration have a great deal in common: they’re both terminal degrees that culminate with a dissertation and doctoral title, they both provide advanced research experience, and they both produce some of the leading voices throughout industry and academia. However, with several key distinctions separating them, it’s important to break down what both programs have to offer and how they can help you achieve your professional goals.

Take a deeper dive into the differences between DBA vs PhD degrees so you can determine which program is the best next step for you and your career.

What are your career aspirations? 

Are you planning on entering a career in academia? Do you want to create an impact as a leader in a larger business or organization? Are you establishing yourself within your career, or do you have decades of experience under your belt?  

These are only some of the factors that should play a major role in your decision-making process as you compare DBA and PhD programs. The right program for you is largely dependent on how you plan to use it, so first understanding your long-term goals will go a long way toward clarifying whether you should choose a DBA or PhD. 

The Benefits of a Doctorate in Business Administration

What is a DBA?

Designed for executive-level professionals and rising industry leaders, a DBA teaches you how to design and conduct research studies as well as how to utilize your findings to implement evidence-based change within organizations, economies, or communities. It emphasizes developing applied research skills, ensuring you’re equipped with the proficiency and resources you need to create lasting industry impact.  

DBA programs typically require between 10-20 years of professional experience, often at the executive or leadership level. Students are expected to have completed an MBA or similar master’s program prior to applying for their DBA.  

How are DBAs structured?

While each DBA program is slightly different, typical DBA programs can be completed within three years while still working full time. The courseload is highly rigorous, often featuring a combination of online evening classes and remote coursework as well as in-person sessions with your cohort.  

You can expect course content that challenges your way of thinking and encourages you to dive deeper into exploring a business problem and refining your research topic. You’ll conduct research relevant to your business interests, leaning into the process of designing research questions and final data analysis, before learning how to implement your findings into actionable industry impact. DBAs, particularly Babson’s DBA program, additionally place a robust focus on leadership and developing your teaching skills. The program culminates in a dissertation and doctoral title.

What can I do with a DBA?

Upon earning their DBA, some graduates transition from industry to academia, seeking out Professor of Practice roles at universities where they can use their extensive professional experience to inform their pedagogy. Others use their DBA to advance further within their organization, taking on leadership or executive level positions, including CEOs, COOs, and CMOs.  

What makes a PhD in Business Administration different?

How are PhDs different than DBAs?

Students in PhD programs are typically earlier in their careers, coming in with 5-10 years of work experience. These programs are highly rigorous, emphasizing theoretical research for academic knowledge creation, and often lead graduates to a lifelong career within academia. Like the DBA, a PhD program requires you to apply advanced research skills and results in a dissertation and doctoral title.  

How long does it take to complete a PhD?

Unlike the DBA, PhD programs take on average 5-7 years to complete. They are typically held in a full-time format, and while students may teach classes while earning their degree, they're often not able to work full time while earning their PhD. 

Babson’s One-of-a-Kind DBA for Entrepreneurial Leaders

If you’re eager to amplify your impact through research-informed decisions, consider Babson’s DBA. Built upon decades of knowledge as the #1 school for entrepreneurship, the DBA program helps you gain the mindset and skill set you need to grow as an educator and entrepreneurial leader, enabling you to amplify your impact and share your expertise throughout your organization and beyond. 

Discover how you can make an even bigger impact and excel as a practitioner-scholar in today’s fast-changing world.  

Accreditations

Babson's Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Council for Higher Education Accreditation.