Program Structure

DBA from UMT is a practice-oriented, professional doctoral program intended for executives and senior managers who want to expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities to the fullest extent possible. Graduates possess the knowledge and experience to assume advanced positions in the management of organizations. A combination of analytical, practical, and research-based approaches is used to equip graduates with an understanding of management thought and practices, as well as a theoretical, philosophical, and real-world understanding of business administration principles and practices.

Course content reflects current business practices in best-of-class organizations. Courses balance nurturing an appreciation of the role of theory in effective management with practical, how-to insights.

While the emphasis of the program is directed toward managing in a technology-driven world, management basics that apply to all business organizations are covered. The program addresses the ethical and legal foundations for behavior in commercial, nonprofit, and government settings. It imbues the student with in-depth knowledge of managing organizations, programs, and projects. It describes how effective managers lead, how they make decisions, how they motivate employees to achieve superior results in leading organizations.

DBA Requirements

The DBA requires successful completion of 60 semester credits hours past the master's degree. Transfer credits are not granted toward fulfillment of the DBA requirements. Pursuit of the DBA involves two main components:

Coursework:
includes core courses, concentration courses, and supporting courses, totally 45 credit-hours.

Dissertation:
concludes the program with a significant scholarly research project, requiring a minimum of 15 credit-hours.

In addition, students must pass a qualifying exam and a comprehensive exam, as well as writing and defending their proposal and dissertation.
Every student who chooses to enter the program must make a commitment to the program to make a significant contribution to the intellectual knowledge base of the University. They may do this by their participation in courses, by their research, by their publications, and by their attendance at seminars, colloquia, and professional meetings.

Coursework

Coursework provides students with knowledge, skills, and abilities to pursue their scholarly interests in management.

Core Curriculum
The courses in the core curriculum provide students with knowledge, skills, and abilities to pursue their scholarly interests in business administration and management. The core includes courses in research methods and statistics, and courses that explore management topics, history and evolution. Students may choose to focus on general management, project management, or acquisition management. The core curriculum comprises 45 semester credit-hours.

Mgt 310* Analytical Techniques in Research
Mgt 320 Philosophical Found. of Knowledge & Research
Mgt 350 Evolution of Management Thought
Mgt 355* Management as a Behavioral Science
Mgt 358 Current Issues in Management
Mgt 359 Managing Modern Business Operations
Mgt 360 International Management
Mgt 365 Economic and Financial Theory
Mgt 366 Leadership and Ethics
Mgt 368 Business-Government Relations
Mgt 395 Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Mgt 399* Advanced Research Methods

*6 credits; others are 3 credits
 

Advisory Committee
To guide students through the first phase of the degree program, an advisory committee of at least three faculty members with appropriate terminal degrees will be assigned. The advisory committee also may serve as the Dissertation Committee.

Qualifying Examination
Students must pass a written qualifying examination at the completion of their first 12 credit-hours: Mgt 310, Mgt 320, and Mgt 350. The exam is three hours maximum and must be administered by a UMT-approved proctor. This exam is graded pass/fail and does not factor into the GPA. Students may retake a qualifying examination with the approval of the Academic Dean.

Comprehensive Examination
Students must pass a written comprehensive examination after successfully completing the core curriculum. The exam is three hours maximum and must be administered by a UMT-approved proctor. This exam is graded pass/fail and does not factor into the GPA. Students may retake the exam with the approval of the Academic Dean. 

Dissertation Committee
When students pass their comprehensive examination, they are assigned a Dissertation Committee. Similar to the Advisory Committee, this committee will comprise at least three faculty members with appropriate terminal degrees. Students may request substitutions or additions to this committee, which must be approved by the Academic Dean. Students work closely with their dissertation committee members through the remainder of their doctoral program.

Each student must nominate one member of the dissertation committee who resides in a location convenient for regular interaction in person. This individual must meet the requirements for becoming adjunct faculty at UMT and must possess a terminal degree in a relevant discipline from an appropriately accredited institution. Selection of a nominee is solely at the discretion of the UMT administration. UMT will provide compensation to the local faculty member directly: the student will not bear any additional financial burden for his/her services.

More details can be provided upon request.