The AACTD DBA
Most DBA programs lead to a doctorate in business or management. But the AACTD DBA in Higher Education Management is the only program.
We’ve developed our DBA specifically for university leaders. Gain the research skills you need to address the challenges of higher education in the 21st century.
What makes the AACTD DBA in Higher Education Management Unique?
- A specific focus on higher education management
- Delivered by one of the USA’s best business schools
- Develop research skills relevant to higher education managers
- Combine research with professional practice by applying your increased knowledge to your work
- A solid global alum network that supports current students and the program
The expertise you need to make a genuine impact in your area
As well as developing your leadership expertise, the AACTD DBA will give you the skills to apply research to your professional space.
We bring together the latest scholarship and an applied focus on research. You’ll develop a thorough understanding of how and why things happen in contemporary higher education.
You’ll graduate with research skills appropriate for higher education managers and be better equipped to deal with the ethical and political issues facing higher education today.
Applying your DBA research to your organization will allow you to:
- understand emerging trends in higher education
- improve national and international policy
- establish and share best practices in management and leadership
We regularly invite graduates to visit and provide feedback on our program to keep it relevant and up-to-date. We’re confident that our DBA students go on to produce some of the most significant and influential research in this area.
A DBA made for busy higher education professionals
We know how active leaders are. We’ve designed our DBA to be flexible around your personal and professional demands.
The DBA in Higher Education Management is more structured than a traditional Ph.D. It has two phases:
- a two-year taught program phase delivered through a series of residentials (on-campus attendance compulsory)
- a thesis phase (can be completed remotely)
Most students complete the program within six years (taught and thesis phases).
DBA in Higher Education Management content and Structure
An outline of the DBA in Higher Education Management’s modules and how the program is taught.
The DBA in Higher Education Management program includes:
- a two-year taught program phase delivered through a series of residentials
- a thesis phase
Most students complete the program within six years (taught and thesis phases).
Taught phase
Over two years, you’ll study units delivered over four eight-day residentials at our AACTD virtual campus.
Calendar of residential modules
- Residential 1: 6 to 13 November 2023
- Residential 2: 10 to 17 June 2024
- Residential 3: 10 to 17 February 2025
- Residential 4: 6 to 13 October 2025
We’ll confirm dates at least six months before each residential.
The taught phase consists of four units:
1. Globalization and higher education strategy
This unit focuses on global trends in higher education and the driving forces behind them. Topics include:
- the internationalization of institutions
- global and national competition and ranking
- international organizations and their influence on higher education
- international higher education
- international partnerships
2. Higher education policy and management
This unit explores higher education policy and its impact on the management of higher education institutions. Topics include:
- public policy and policy analyses
- risk and regulation in higher education policy
- the changing policy landscape.
- organizational responses to higher education policy
- case studies of higher education policy changes
This unit is delivered during the second residential.
3. Higher education and organizational change
This unit looks at how higher education institutions function as professional organizations. Topics include:
- how change occurs in higher education institutions
- the interests of internal and external stakeholders
- the university as a specific organization
- leadership and people management in universities
- branding and marketing in higher education
4. Methods and methodology for higher education research
This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of methods and methodologies for higher education research. Topics include:
- academic skills, like literature review and referencing.
- the types of data used in social research and the methods for collecting that data
- data analysis methods and how to apply these to data sources.
- research questions
- Research ethics and ethical approval
Assignments and progression
The taught phase is like a structured training program. You’ll be able to explore topics that interest you and start to get ideas for your thesis.
You’ll complete four assignments. The final assignment is a research proposal for your thesis.
We’ve designed each assignment to give you content-specific and transferable skills. Completing all four projects will give you the fundamental building blocks to start your thesis.
To be eligible for the thesis phase, you must complete and pass all four assignments.
Thesis phase
Your DBA thesis must relate to higher education management. You will work with two academic supervisors, reviewing your progress every six months.
Typically students complete their thesis in four years. This flexibility allows you to do your thesis alongside work and other commitments.