Are you a business professional looking to switch to a career in a different field or industry? Consider earning a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. This part-time program provides a comprehensive curriculum that can help working professionals obtain roles in various industries and careers. Here, we discuss our DBA program and the potential career paths and industries it can open up for graduates.
What Is a Doctor of Business Administration Degree?
A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a terminal degree, which is the highest level of education achievable in business administration. DBA programs are created for working professionals who already have a master’s degree, allowing them to enhance their business acumen and advance their careers. They also help open doors to a wide range of career opportunities in different industries and positions by teaching transferrable business skills and how to apply them in real-world situations. Since DBA programs are designed for working business professionals, they are typically offered with flexible schedules like part-time or hybrid options.
Potential Career Paths for Individuals with DBA Degrees
Doctor of Business Administration degrees provide students with an in-depth curriculum that includes advanced business concepts, research, innovation, and real-world application. This helps students be prepared to take on careers in different industries beyond business. Some potential career paths for DBA graduates include:
Executive Officer
Individuals who are looking to obtain high-level positions like CEOs should consider completing a DBA program. The curriculum helps sharpen decision-making and leadership abilities, along with improving business acumen, which is ideal for people who wish to work as executive officers.
Entrepreneur
Many business professionals dream about one day opening or owning their own business. A DBA degree can put them on the right path by providing vital coursework in various business principles and how to apply them in the real world. DBA programs also have a strong focus on innovation and creating solutions to complex business problems, which is key for an aspiring entrepreneur.
Professor
Completing a DBA degree can help you achieve a career as an adjunct or tenure-track professor at a college or university. DBA programs focus on developing research abilities, problem-solving, and other professional skills that can make graduates ideal for teaching the next generation of business students. In the United States, many research bodies recognize a DBA and PhD as equivalent degrees.
Consultant
Working as a business consultant for a leading company or organization is an option for DBA graduates. Students complete intensive coursework that focuses on several advanced business principles and research skills, teaching them the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a complex business landscape. This makes a DBA degree ideal for aspiring consultants, as they need to have strong business acumen and research abilities.
Healthcare Administrator
A DBA degree can also prepare students for leadership roles in the healthcare sector, including a career as a healthcare administrator. These professionals help ensure the smooth operation of the business side of a healthcare facility. DBA programs teach students how to effectively lead others, develop critical thinking skills, and solve problems efficiently, all of which are crucial to this career.
Research Analyst
DBA programs focus strongly on applied research, so graduates learn how to collect, analyze, and apply data and research. This makes graduates well-suited for a career as a research analyst, which involves gathering and interpreting data from various sources to provide businesses with actionable insights and solutions. Research analysts can be found in a range of industries, including business, science, healthcare, and more.
Benefits of Completing a DBA
Along with the benefit of a wide range of potential career options, there are many other advantages of completing a Doctor of Business Administration degree. They include:
Increased Earning Potential
A great advantage of pursuing a DBA is the increased earning potential it offers. A Doctor of Business Administration degree is a terminal degree, meaning it’s the highest level of education in business administration. Therefore, people with these degrees often earn more than those without them. The starting salary for people with DBA degrees is often higher than those with lower-level degrees, although salaries can vary depending on factors like the industry, position, location, and more.
Career Advancement
Another major benefit of earning a DBA is career advancement. These programs provide a comprehensive study of various business principles, research, and problem-solving abilities, so graduates are well-suited to advance in their careers. Whether a graduate is looking to explore a new industry or move up in the ranks at their current company, DBA degrees are a good way to do so. They can also improve marketability and demonstrate to employers that the applicant is committed to personal and professional growth.
These are some of the main advantages of earning a high-level degree like a DBA.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s DBA Program
If you’re interested in taking advantage of the benefits that a DBA degree offers, consider applying to the program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Our Doctor of Business Administration program is offered at our Minneapolis campus on a part-time schedule. The program features a comprehensive curriculum that helps prime working professionals to transition into senior or leadership positions in a variety of fields. Some of the topics that are covered in the DBA program include:
- Evaluating complex issues in a global business context
- Performing relevant, applied business research
- Developing innovative solutions to intricate business problems
- Delivering adaptive leadership for organizational sustainability
- Embodying ethical practices and social responsibility
- Communicating effectively in a range of methods for various settings
This program is accredited by International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), which reflects our dedication to delivering business education aligned with our mission of developing competent and ethical leaders for the changing business environment. To learn more about our program, read through the admission requirements or course catalog today.
Pursue New Career Paths with a DBA from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
If you’re a business professional looking to advance your career and break into a new field, apply to the Doctor of Business Administration program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Students receive a person-centered education that is grounded in Lasallian Catholic principles to help them become ethical leaders. To learn more about our academics or the DBA program, request more information to connect with a counselor today.
