Doctor of Business Administration – SUSS

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme offered by School of Business of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) focuses on training students to acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in selected management areas. With the training provided in this programme, entrepreneurs, senior management executives, and mid-career industrial practitioners are expected to develop rigorous and structural thinking process, acquire deeper knowledge and advanced research methodologies, and cultivate analytical skills that enable them to investigate and solve complex management problems and support evidence based strategy formulation.

The DBA curriculum offers exposure to knowledge relevant to the digital economy and provides students with a choice of management courses or a mix of multi-disciplinary courses to suit their applied research objectives. The programme is supported by a flexible learning environment that draws its benefits from SUSS’s close linkage with industries.

The global economy is experiencing considerable uncertainty and challenges brought about by technological advancement and innovations, and changes in political landscapes and national demography. Managers and leaders need to develop a strategic mindset and global insights to address problems created by increasing economic volatility. The DBA programme is designed to produce graduates that are able to drive thought leadership in organisational change and organisational development, and effectively meet the challenges that disruptive technologies will bring to the economy.

DBA students are required to complete 40 cu coursework (30 cu disciplinary knowledge courses and 10 cu research methodology courses) and submit a doctoral dissertation. Courses will mostly be held on 3 to 7 consecutive days including weekends from 9am to 6pm. Students are required to participate in overseas immersion courses that will be held over a period of a few days.

Upon the completion of 30 cu coursework, students are awarded with the Graduate Diploma in Business. After the completion of an additional 10 cu coursework, students are required to successfully complete a qualifying examination (QE) in order to be granted DBA candidacy. DBA candidates are required to undertake an applied research project that culminates in a dissertation at the doctorate level. The dissertation should produce output via original applied research that is relevant to industry/professional practice and advances knowledge in these areas. Upon successfully defending their dissertations in the dissertation examination, candidates will be awarded DBA degree.

The minimum candidature period for DBA is 3 years and the maximum candidature period is 7 years.

Core Modules

• BUS601 Contemporary Topics in Business and Management
• BUS603 Applied Research in Business and Management
• BUS655 Strategy
• DBA799 Doctoral Dissertation

Electives

• ANL551 Data Analytics for Decision Makers
• BUS511 Managing Sustainable Operations
• BUS531 Sustainability Management
• CSD517 Social Enterprise and Corporate Social Responsibility
• FIN521 Financial System, Financial Markets and Financial Supervision
• FIN523 Wealth Management and Investment Products
• FIN545 Technological Innovations in Finance
• FIN547 Blockchain Technologies: Applications and Challenges
• HCM533 Managing Talent II: Performance and Development
• HCM541 Leadership and Change Management
• HCM543 Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution
• IPM501 Foundation IP Law
• IPM503 IP Asset Management
• IPM505 IP & Business Strategy
• MKT541 Digital Branding
• MKT542 Digital Marketing Analytics
• MKT551 Platform Strategy
• NPM505 Fundraising and Philanthropy
• UTM509 Public Transport Management

Electives (Business)

• BUS613 Strategic Leadership & Management for Excellence
• BUS615 Corporate Governance, CSR and Change Management for Sustainability
• BUS651 Managing Technology and Innovation
• ECO631 Business Economics and Public Policy
• FIN651 Inclusive FinTech
• MKT631 Marketing for the Future Economy

Applicants to the DBA programme need to fulfil the following criteria for admission:

• A MBA or EMBA or a Master’s degree in relevant disciplines.
• A minimum of five years of work experience.
• Applicants with relevant work experience but with other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
• Depending on the proposed research topic, specific relevant work experience will be an asset.
• A personal statement on:
  • How this programme supports the career aspirations of the applicant, and
  • A research proposal, highlighting
    1. research questions;
    2. how would society benefit from the findings;
    3. how do you plan to conduct the research;
    4. topics and areas you are keen for the DBA programme to include in its courses/field trips
• Two reference letters on the character of the applicant as well as achievements and capabilities of the applicant.
  

This programme is open to Singapore citizens and permanent residents, as well as international students.

Dates
For more information on Application Dates, click here.

Fees
For more information on Fee, Scholarships and Finance matters, click here.

Singapore University of Social Sciences
463 Clementi Road
Singapore 599494

Tel: +65 6248 9777
Email: student_recruitment@suss.edu.sg