Why Get a DBA Degree When You Already Have an MBA?

by Tim Veach, DBA

If you stand at the foot of the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan and look up, you see what seems like a rippling river of teal-jade glass reaching into the sky. But you can’t see the very top – the 101st floor. 

There comes a point in the life of every ambitious person when they catch this feeling of standing at the precipice of something great, looking up, not quite perceiving the apex, and wondering what it would be like to reach the top.

A number of these people pursue an MBA. These are usually business leaders, innovative thinkers, and professionals who find themselves guiding business strategy in their organization. Maybe you’re one of them – and maybe you’ve wondered what it would be like to have an even deeper understanding of business and to influence and contribute at an even higher level. 

A doctorate in business administration (DBA) can be one way to get there.

But what can you do with a doctorate in business administration? Is it really necessary if you already have an MBA?

As I think about these questions, there are a few themes that come up from my years of experience in business, earning a DBA myself, teaching in a DBA program, and many conversations with other DBA faculty, graduates and prospective students.

DBAs Have Elite Status as Practicing Business Thought Leaders

According to upGrad, about 250,000 people earned their MBA in 2021, compared to only about 5,000 who earned a doctorate in business. A DBA puts a person in an elite category – one in which they become the most-recognized subject-matter experts in their respective industries and beyond.

“I’ve been considered an expert on entrepreneurship in my community for a long time, but lately I’ve been boosted into a new category [since I began my DBA],” says one current DBA student who now finds himself “at the table” with top management scholars and business leaders alike.

Dr. Debby Thomas, Dean of the College of Business at George Fox University says, “A DBA is not an MBA part two – the MBAs of the world are problem-solvers, while DBAs are thought leaders in business.”

DBAs Are Recognized Business Experts

In today’s dynamic business world, industry experience may only go so far, with trends in technology, AI, and the geopolitical economy forcing rapid change in every facet of the marketplace. The business experts of tomorrow will need a solid foundation to navigate industry trends and manage organizations effectively.

Many business leaders agree that expertise comes from MBA-level knowledge of strategic problem-solving tools coupled with domain knowledge and real-world industry experience. However, there is mounting evidence that points to the importance of the leadership of more advanced thinkers – those who use applied research methods to guide explorations of how to move industry into the future. This is what DBAs bring to the practice of business.

With a DBA, this expertise can be broad. Recent DBA graduates are recognized experts in franchise valuation, human resource development, financial modeling, organizational leadership, business education, digital marketing strategies, supply chain innovation, and much more.

“People listen to me now when I talk about the way AI is changing the insurance industry,” says one DBA student, reflecting on his evolving interests guided by his DBA research and coursework.

Dr. Andrew Ellestad, a recent DBA grad who is now teaching full-time at College of Idaho, says that through his research work in his DBA, he has been able to “become an expert in autism in the workplace … impacting organizations and their practices across the globe”.

DBAs Are Scholar-Practitioners

A serious DBA program requires students to engage with research and theory (similar to a PhD) as well as application and practice. This intersection of skills gives DBA-holders a strong position in the market and within organizations as a scholar-practitioner. And this has increasing value in the marketplace.

What does it mean to also be a scholar?

1. Being a scholar means you know how to do original research

   Scholarship provides the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to produce valuable insights and contribute to the body of knowledge in the field. This dual capability enhances one’s credibility and effectiveness in both academic and professional settings.

   To put this in perspective, one DBA student shares, “I’m leading my consulting firm and doing original research that guides consulting firms at the same time.”

2. Being a scholar means you have the option to teach if you choose

   Teaching college-level business courses can be a rewarding way to pass on your expertise and mentor the next generation of business leaders, and having your doctorate can open that door. It’s invaluable for students to learn from people who are both book-smart and street-smart when it comes to business, people who know how to handle research and also have relevant stories to tell.

   Another DBA student says, “I’m self-employed, but I now have the option to pivot into teaching.”

Pursuing a DBA

The DBA degree is uniquely designed as a response to the rapid rise in knowledge and specialization in business across the globe. Organizational leaders who can translate theory and research into practical action that improves business outcomes will become increasingly sought in an age of growing complexity.

So if you are standing at that precipice, thinking how to get to that 101st floor, you may want to consider earning a Doctor of Business Administration.

Earn Your DBA Online at George Fox University

For nearly two decades, the George Fox University doctorate in business administration has been shaping leaders at the highest levels across diverse sectors.

Our program stands out for its unique blend of learning in advanced theoretical frameworks and robust research methodologies, seamlessly integrated with practical application.

An optional annual week-long residency on campus and weekly opportunities to interact with professors and peers through regularly scheduled video conference calls enhance the engagement of the program. This provides the perfect blend of individual study and collective discussion, equipping our graduates to make significant contributions to the business world that drive impactful change.

Learn more about George Fox University’s online DBA program

Dr. Tim Veach is Associate Professor of Management and DBA Program Director at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. He is a published scholar in the areas of expatriate management and cross-cultural organizations, and he has worked on projects with multinational firms such as SK Hynix, Hyundai-Kia Motors R&D, Daewoo Engineering & Construction, LG Chem, and United States Basketball Academy, among others.