Doctor of Business Administration

Applicants to an Athabasca University DBA program must have a master of business administration degree or equivalent master’s degree and at least 5 years of significant managerial and/or professional experience.

Applicants must also provide:

• a completed application form.
• a detailed resumé demonstrating five or more years of significant management and/or professional work experience.
• a 500 – 1000-word expression of research interests.
• 3 letters of reference, ideally from 2 professional and 1 academic source. References from personal friends or relatives will not be accepted.
• official transcripts, sent directly to the Faculty of Business from the respective institution(s). Applicants with degrees obtained outside of North America may be required to have educational qualifications assessed independently (see International transcripts).
• evidence of a successfully completed university level statistics course.
• evidence of English language proficiency (see Proof of English language proficiency at end of this section).
• a non-refundable application fee.

Applications to the doctoral program will be reviewed by members of the Doctorate Admissions Committee of the Faculty of Business who will make recommendations and decisions regarding offers of admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The admissions committee will consist of 1 member from each department of the Faculty of Business and will be chaired by the DBA program director or his/her designate.

Offers of admission will be made by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In exceptional circumstances, the dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies may waive 1 or more of the above application criteria.

Appeals to the university concerning admission decisions will be governed by the university’s appeal process.

Transfer credit

DBA applicants wishing to transfer from other accredited doctoral programs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, they must meet the DBA admission requirements (above) and complete at least 50% of their doctoral courses and all DBA dissertation requirements with Athabasca University.

Applicants must provide all materials as outlined in the admission requirements above with the exception that at least 1 letter of reference must be provided by an academic from the institution from which the applicant is transferring. Courses being considered for transfer credit must be from a fully-accredited institution. To apply for transfer of credit, applicants are responsible for all applicable fees and must submit the following documents:

• Official transcripts showing the successful completion of the courses to be transferred; and
• Course descriptions. The DBA Admissions Committee will review these documents to determine whether transfer credit will be permitted.

Proof of English language proficiency

DBA applicants must meet the English language proficiency requirements outlined by the university's Faculty of Graduate Studies, subject to the following additional requirements:

• Applicants who submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must obtain a minimum score of 25 on the written component (internet-based test).
• Applicants who submit the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) must obtain a minimum score of 6.5.

Documented proof must be submitted with the application for admission. Scores more than 2 years old are not acceptable.

Note: In addition, foreign language students may be asked to complete the Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTEST) prior to or following registration and, if need be, remedial measures in language skills based on the results of the CanTEST may be recommended.

For more information, contact the Faculty of Business office.

As the first online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) offered by a Canadian University, the Athabasca University (AU) online DBA fills an important niche role in management education by increasing access to doctoral-level studies for highly motivated management professionals in business, education, government and not-for-profits.

The DBA focuses on researching practical business and managerial issues through knowledge building, critique, and the systematic application of relevant theories and research to management practice. It is designed for those who want to make direct impact on their organizations, industries and communities through improved management practice, and for those who want to upgrade from the master's level to the doctoral level. It is a research-based qualification with the same level of rigor and scholarship expected of any doctoral program.

Application deadlines

Admission to the AU DBA program occurs once per year in the fall. The deadline to apply is March 15 of the same year.

Program structure

DBA students begin their program with 2 orientations: 1 online and 1 on site. Onsite orientations coincide with research workshops for second and third year DBA students.

In years 1 and 2, students complete 6 online courses plus 2 onsite research workshops. Following this coursework, in year 3, each student prepares a dissertation research proposal (under supervision) followed by an oral candidacy exam. Upon successfully passing the oral candidacy exam, a student becomes a 'doctoral candidate' and commences work on the final dissertation. The doctoral candidate must conduct original research, write a dissertation and participate in an oral dissertation defense that is approved by a supervisory committee before being awarded the doctorate degree. 

Course descriptions and schedules

Program requirements

In exceptional cases, DBA students may be permitted to take courses out of order except for DDBA 000 (orientation), DDBA 800 (first course), and DDBA 806 (final course).

Time commitment

Students will normally complete the DBA program in 4 to 5 years, but may have up to 7 years to complete all requirements.

Extensions of up to 1 additional year may be considered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the program director or designate in exceptional circumstances and will require the payment of the Continuing Program Fee.

DBA students re-admitted to the program following a program withdrawal will be expected to complete their program studies within 7 years, less the duration of time the student was previously enrolled in the DBA program. Exceptions may be made by the DBA program director or designate.

Dissertation research and defense

The dissertation begins after successful completion of all prescribed DBA courses, and completion of at least 2 research workshops, candidacy exam/proposal defense. The appointment and composition of the dissertation supervisory committee will follow the policies of the AU Faculty of Graduate Studies.

DBA students will be assigned either an AU supervisor or co-supervisors (internal AU supervisor and external supervisor) while enrolled in DDBA 805. Supervisors and committee member composition will follow all policies and procedures as prescribed in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Handbook.

Active status and continuation

To maintain active status, a DBA student must successfully complete at least 1 course in their program of study within a 12-month period, or be enrolled in DDBA 806 or 899 and be actively pursuing research toward the doctoral degree. A student who does not maintain active status will be deemed to have withdrawn from the program, and will be required to pay the tuition portion for courses completed and in which they are currently registered. They may also be assessed a Program Discontinuation Fee.

DBA students who do not maintain "active status" may speak to their supervisor to gain permission to have their program extended, with the final decision to come from the DBA program director or his/her designate.

DBA students who fail any course will be automatically withdrawn from their program with no opportunity for re-enrolment unless exceptional approval is given by the DBA program director or designate and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Program deferrals

DBA students who have commenced the program can defer upcoming courses should they find themselves experiencing changed circumstances in either their personal or professional lives. Course deferrals must be requested at least 21 days prior to the start date of their next course. Deferring courses will delay program completion. All course deferrals or withdrawals must be approved by the DBA program director or designate.

DBA students deferring into a cohort group or re-entering the program where new curriculum requirements have come into effect will have courses from both the old and new curriculum. The remaining program requirements will be determined and approved by the DBA Program Director or his/her designate.

Should a DBA student withdraw from studies and subsequently be readmitted to the program, they will be required to pay any fee increases that occur between the time of last enrolment and re-registration. Credit for courses previously completed will be evaluated by the DBA program director or designate and applied to the program requirements, where appropriate.

Program withdrawal

DBA students who choose to withdraw from their program of study, without record of registration, must do so within 30 calendar days of the commencement of the program. A withdrawal occurring in this time will not be recorded on the DBA student’s transcript.

A student who withdraws from their program of study after the 30-calendar-day period from the start of the program will:

1. have this withdrawal recorded on his/her transcript;
2. pay the tuition portion for courses completed and currently registered in; and
3. may be required to pay the Program Discontinuation Fee. Any program fees paid will be non-refundable.

Re-enrolment in the program

Re-enrolment to the DBA program can occur within 3 years of student departure, subject to review and approval by the DBA Admissions Committee, and payment of all applicable fees. Fees will be assessed at current rates. Re-enrolled candidates will be required to pay any fee increases that occur between the time of re-enrolment and last registration. Credit for courses previously completed will be re-evaluated and applied to the program requirements, where appropriate. Additional extensions and alternatives may be granted by the DBA program director or designate only in exceptional circumstances and on payment of the appropriate fee.

Graduation requirements

Before being able to graduate with a DBA, a DBA student must have attended and successfully completed three separate on-site workshops (including one for the orientation), typically 1 in each year of study.

To be awarded the Doctor of Business Administration, students must meet all of the requirements as set out in the Faculty of Graduate Studies guidelines. A minimum grade of B- (2.7) is required for all courses. Students must also complete and submit an Application for Graduation Form and meet all other regulations.

In addition, students must have paid any fees owed to the university and have returned all library resources.

Course delivery

Upon admission to the program, DBA students will receive a program schedule for the cohort group to which they belong. Registration information is provided to students on a regular basis.

Courses are paced, with specific start and end dates, and should be taken in sequential order.

Athabasca University may modify the list of courses at any time.

Course registration

Students are automatically registered for DBA courses and onsite workshops according to the course schedule provided when they commence the program. Students should take courses in the order outlined in the course schedule.

A student is considered registered for a course on the 21st day before the start date for that course as indicated on the schedule.

How courses work

All online DBA courses are paced, meaning there are scheduled start and end dates, and assignment deadlines within each course. The learning environment is asynchronous, meaning students do not have to be online at a prescribed time.

Course withdrawal

Students are considered registered for each of their courses on the 21st day before the start date for their course. Students can withdraw from the course in which they are registered, subject to the following:

• To avoid academic penalty, a course withdrawal must be received within 14 calendar days of the course start date. Withdrawals will not occur by default, and a withdrawal fee will apply.
• DBA students withdrawing after 14 days from the start date of the course will be withdrawn from the course and an F (Fail) grade will appear on their transcript. With approval of the DBA program director, or designate, such candidates will be permitted to retake the course, with full payment of the course fees.
• DBA students who do not withdraw and do not complete a course will fail the course. There will be no opportunity for re-registration.

Incomplete status

Under extraordinary circumstances, DBA students may receive permission for an incomplete status for a course, but they must submit such a request to the DBA course professor or designate, prior to the end date for the course. If approved, DBA students will have up to a maximum of 30 calendar days to complete the outstanding individual written assignments (as approved). Group assignments and participation components of the course are not included under this policy.

Course refunds

Students will receive a refund of the full course fees if they withdraw from their course more than 21 days before the course start date. Students will receive a refund of the full course fees minus the Course Withdrawal Processing Fee if they withdraw from the course 21 days prior to the course start date and up to 14 days after the course start date. After 14 days, no refund will be given.

Grading system

With the exception of the Dissertation Proposal Defence/Candidacy Exam, each assignment and participation component that is to be counted towards the final grade for a course shall be given a percentage grade from the instructor. The official recorded grade will be the Alpha/4.0 grading scale. Please review the Graduate Grading Policy and information about academic records on the Office of the Registrar site for more information on grading scales.

The Dissertation Proposal Defence/Candidacy Exam and the final dissertation oral defence are assessed using the following categories:

• pass
• pass subject to revision
• adjourn for re-examination
• fail

Tuition fees

The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2023. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is added to all other goods and services; for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

* The Athabasca University Graduate Studies Association Fee of $13 per credit is not included in the above calculation and will be added to the course tuition fee.

Other fees

¹ The Course Withdrawal Processing Fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. Refer to the information about course withdrawal under Course regulations and procedures.

The following fees will be charged at rates approved by the Athabasca University Governing Council:

• Dissertation Extension Fee
• Program Extension Fee
• Course Transfer Fee

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2023.

Tuition fees

The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2023 to Aug. 31, 2024. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is added to all other goods and services; for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

* The Athabasca University Graduate Studies Association Fee of $13 per credit is not included in the above calculation and will be added to the course tuition fee.

Other fees

¹ The Course Withdrawal Processing Fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. Refer to the information about course withdrawal under Course regulations and procedures.

The following fees will be charged at rates approved by the Athabasca University Governing Council:

• Dissertation Extension Fee
• Program Extension Fee
• Course Transfer Fee

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2023 to Aug. 31, 2024.