If you’re thinking of enrolling on a postgraduate course, you’ll want to consider every aspect before you decide whether or not it’s right for you. Many people underestimate the time and effort that’s needed at postgraduate level. By learning more about what’s involved, you can ensure that you’re at the right stage in your life to embark upon further study.
A Doctor of Business Administration degree is one of the most well-respected postgraduate qualifications out there. Successfully completing a DBA highlights your in-depth knowledge and experience in your field, as well as showcasing your research talents and business skillset.
Although there are many advantages to obtaining a DBA, it can take some time to complete this qualification. Between conducting research and writing an extended thesis, you’ll need to ensure your professional and personal responsibilities will afford you the time to prioritise your DBA.
Fortunately, there are many ways to ensure you can fulfil your dream of becoming a Doctor of Business Administration. If you want to reach the top of your profession, take a look at how you could complete a DBA now:
1. Take a Sabbatical
If you’re currently working full-time, you may want to consider taking an extended break in order to complete a DBA. Providing your employer is supportive, they may allow you to take a sabbatical in order to study for a DBA. In some cases, you may even be able to persuade your employer to sponsor your studies and access help with course fees and living expenses.
If you’re able to take a sabbatical, enrolling in a full-time DBA programme may be the fastest way for you to complete your studies. It’s worth noting, however, that even a full-time DBA can take around three years to complete. This means you would need to take a fairly lengthy break from work in order to study and many employers will be unwilling to allow you to take a sabbatical for this length of time.
Even if you are permitted to take a break from work, you may find that your income is reduced or temporarily suspended altogether. For most people, this makes studying a full-time DBA extremely difficult. Unless you have savings that will fund your living expenses during your studies or support from family, you may want to consider other options when it comes to completing your DBA.
2. Enrol in a Part-Time Course
Being able to study a DBA on a part-time basis means you can potentially keep working full-time and still obtain an advanced qualification. Some people enrol in DBA courses that offer weekend, on-campus teaching, for example.
While studying part-time certainly has its advantages, you may be required to attend some weekday lectures or student meetings, so it’s important to get support from your employer before you enrol. Furthermore, you’ll want to ensure that you will be able to dedicate enough time to your studies if you plan to keep working on a full-time basis. If you’re travelling to campus at the weekend to attend part-time research sessions, for example, this leaves little time to spend with family or to pursue other hobbies and pastimes.
3. Study Online
If you want to become a Doctor of Business Administration but you’re looking for a course that offers maximum flexibility, why not consider studying virtually? Completing a DBA online offers the same prestige and respect as any other programme but enables you to study at your own pace, from any location.
What’s more – choosing an online, part-time DBA programme means you can continue to work and manage other responsibilities while you obtain your Doctor of Business Administration qualification. Take a look at how flexible studying for a DBA online can be now. For many aspiring students, the freedom and flexibility offered by online learning makes postgraduate study a viable option.
Enrolling in an online programme also means you can benefit from lower course fees and more self-directed learning. As the nature of a DBA requires self-motivation and dedication, the online learning format works particularly well when you’re studying to become a Doctor of Business Administration.
Find the Right DBA Programme
When you’re choosing which DBA course to enrol in, take the time to contact academics at your preferred university and talk to them about your options. This will help you to establish which specialities university staff are interested in and may help you to locate a postgrad supervisor who can support your application.
Similarly, connecting with recent graduates, looking at accrediting bodies and assessing university rankings will give you the information you need to determine which programme is right for you.