A Degree Program in Business Administration - Essay Example

Are the degree programs in Business Administration sufficiently rigorous academically, compared to other programs? Adegree program in Business Administration, just like any other doctorate, is based on research, its main concentration being the development of advance research skills in a specified area, both theoretically, as well as practically. A student can choose to learn on this juncture by undertaking a PhD, or he might try to specialize in a critical dimension such as accounting, finance or marketing, thereby receiving a doctorate in the specified area (Bunting 23). The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is one amongst several doctoral programs. Whereas the word, "doctoral" is in most cases used only to describe a PhD program, there are several other degrees which are doctoral degrees, and this include the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and Doctor of Education (EdD). Although the degree is a platform for the advancement in careers relating to research, consulting, or business administration, most students who undertake the PhD programs promote specializing in a critical dimension such as accounting, finance or marketing (Cass 8). Students wishing to improve their academic careers because, the PhD is the doctorate that is commonly pursing this. On the other hand, the Doctor of Business Administration, also known as DBA, is formulated to equip business executives with skills required in pursuing business, as well as public administration careers, which entails enhanced research skills, along with their qualifications. Apart from that, some of these programs can serve as go between in careers within academia. The Doctor of Business Administration is intended to present business executives with requirements needed to succeed in conducting business, as well as public administration careers that require more developed research skills, along with their qualifications. On the other hand, some of these DBA programs may serve as pathways into careers within academia (Cass 9). The comparability of these two programs is more than their diversity, however, the main difference between a business PhD program and a DBA program originates in the way the two programs are oriented, along with the desired outcome. A PhD program focuses on the development of a new theory, while, on the other hand, DBA, focuses on applying theoretical knowledge in order to make progression of a business practice. Another stunning difference between a PhD and a doctoral is that, although all PHD degrees are doctorates, not all doctorate degrees qualify to be PhDs (Crocker 45). PhD programs are meant to describe programs whose priority is on research, while, on the other hand, the purpose of doctoral programs is to master research program, as well as professional practices. Even so, both DBA and PhD programs require innovative research in the formation, as well as defense of a thesis. However, there is a difference in the DBA program, with some of them being more driven towards knowledge application, while others are driven towards knowledge creation. The same reasoning applies to PhD programs whereby some programs in business like Doctor of Management and Executive Doctor of Management follows this path (Crocker 46). The designation "doctor," denoting mastery of a certain subject, came from Italy in the early 1100s. However, the current form of the PhD came from the Germany university system in the 19th century, which was established to demonstrate that the student with a degree had accomplished original research in a field work; and this was incorporated by Americans in its own universities in the late 1800s. Contemporary PhD students are expected to spend an average of eight and half years in graduate school, making theses which are hundreds of pages long, while at the same time, performing research and mastering the literature of his or her field, regularly in preparation of a career in teaching in the university (Crocker 92). Before pursuing a PhD or DBA, it is necessary for a student to verify the alignment of the program between different institutions since most of the institutions differ in their approaches to every degree. The most convenient way of doing this is by determining if a program is indeed what the student requires, by looking at its structure, curriculum, and graduation requirements, while at the same time the career paths undertaken by the alumni of that degree program. It is also required for a student to observe the various researches printed by the graduates who undertook these programs, plus its faculty. Considering that the career that a student is undertaking might prefer one program over the other, it is necessary for the student to stay focused on his or her desired achievements when making this momentous decision (Cass 78). Most of the doctoral programs are based on professionalism instead of research-oriented degrees. Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) is examples of these professional degrees, whereby students are expected to demonstrate mastery, while at the same time being knowledgeable in their area. For a student to be eligibly prepared for a degree in Doctor of Medicine, he or she has to undergo training during an internship, residency and perhaps a fellowship. On the other hand, for a student to succeed in a degree in Doctor of Jurisprudence, they need to be admitted into their profession following their success in the bar examination. Unfortunately, these two degrees, although they are demanding, they fail to indicate whether the owner has concluded the original research in the related field (Vault 99). Apart from the above Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Jurisprudence, there are other area like education, psychology and business administration that have established professional doctoral degrees. The Doctor of Education, based on the Northern Illinois University's EdD program, has its emphasis on ways of incorporating both theory and research, at the same time. Accomplishments of EdD are based majorly on the study of the local residents and minimally on trial (Vault 46). On the other hand, PsyD puts minimal stress on academic research, while at the same time, emphasizing majorly on preparing students so that they can get professional psychologists. The same situation applies to the DBA that is aimed at students who are hoping to better their professional, business career. According to Argosy University, the DBA prepares students for managerial, as well as administrative occupations, like a CEO, dean at a school business and a finance officer in an organization (Cass & Bimbaum 102). It is ideal for faculty members to be academically qualified in order to be capable teaching in ACSB accredited business schools. This is because, a tutor, who holds a doctorate on the program that he, is tutoring, creates unique contribution in line with development in theory or research. On the other hand, if the tutor happens to be a doctoral program’s graduate lacking such a focus, he possibly considered as fit to teach so long as the set expectations are fulfilled (Peterson’s 63). Even though, the word doctoral is in most cases used so as to refer to the PhD program, a number of doctoral programs are available that prepare students for careers in different fields. On the other hand, the PhD is bestowed upon students who attain research excellence in a number of fields, whereas individual doctoral programs have been formulated for training professionals in areas like psychology, medicine, education, law, education, and business administration (Lucia 233). Considering that the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is one amongst several doctoral programs, most people confuse the word "doctoral" as a designation of a PhD program. Although the degree is a platform for the advancement in careers relating to research, consulting, or business administration, most students who undertake the PhD programs promote specializing in critical dimensions such as accounting, finance or marketing. This is because, the PhD is the doctorate that is commonly pursed by students wishing to develop their academic careers (Lucia 256). When a student is considering undertaking a doctorate program in business, he or, she needs to evaluate the various researches printed by the graduates of these programs, as well as its faculty, so that he can be well informed on the correct direction. This is because, these business programs tend to be complicated and, therefore, the career that a student is undertaking might prefer one program over the other, it is necessary for the student to stay focused on his or her desired achievements when making this momentous decision. If a student is partly informed, he or she might end up make decisions that will take him or her to the wrong career path (Lucia 435). Works Cited Bunting. Private independent schools. New York: Bunting and Lyon, 2008. Print. Cass, James. Comparative guide to American colleges: for students, parents, and counselors. New York: Harper & Row, 2008. Print. Crocker, John R. The student guide to Catholic colleges & universities. New York: Harper & Row, 2007. Print. Editors, Vault. The College Buzz Book. Siler: Vault Inc, 2006. Print. James Cass, Max Birnbaum. Comparative guide to American colleges for students, parents, and counselors. Charlottesville: University of Virginia, 2006. Print. Peterson's. Peterson's Graduate & Professional Programs 2007: An Overview. Nevada: Peterson's, 2006. Print. Solorzano, Lucia. Best Buys in College Education. New York: Barron's Educational Series, 2002. Print. Read More