Doctorate in Business Administration
Lead with Insight. Research with Purpose. Transform with Expertise.
The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at the American University in the Emirates (AUE) is an advanced doctoral program for accomplished executives, senior professionals, and aspiring scholars ready to turn their leadership experience into impactful research and strategic innovation.
Designed for leaders across business, government, and academia, AUE's DBA provides a dynamic platform to convert deep industry knowledge into scholarly contributions that advance business practice and shape the future of organizations.
This is more than just a degree-it's a launchpad for driving meaningful change. The DBA empowers professionals to influence systems, redefine frameworks, and solve complex business challenges through rigorous, applied research. Focus areas include strategic leadership, financial decision- making, sustainable enterprise, digital transformation, and public-sector innovation, ensuring your research remains relevant and makes a real-world impact.
The curriculum guides you from advanced academic foundations to original dissertation research. Candidates engage in doctoral coursework, collaborative research seminars, and dissertation development in high-demand fields such as FinTech, behavioral marketing, entrepreneurship, global strategy, and policy design. This multidisciplinary approach allows you to align your research path with your expertise, passion, and long-term goals.
Delivered entirely on campus, the DBA creates an immersive learning environment where students benefit from direct interaction with distinguished faculty from AUE's College of Business Administration. Our faculty combines academic excellence with real-world insight, mentoring you to develop advanced research skills, sharp analytical thinking, and the confidence to tackle today's pressing business and policy issues.
Graduates of the DBA program emerge as research-driven leaders-equipped to shape institutional strategy, contribute to academic knowledge, and deliver transformative solutions within their fields of influence.
Accreditation
- Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA)
- Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Intakes
- Jan
- May
- Sep
Application Processing Time in Days: 25
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Applicants to the Doctoral programs must satisfy all of the following admission requirements:
1. Academic Qualification:
Hold a Master's degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited higher education institution, with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent.
2. English Language Requirements:
Demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting a valid test score meeting one of the following minimum requirements:
• IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5
• TOEFL IBT: Minimum score of 91
The English test score must be less than two years old at the time of application.
Exceptions to English Language Proficiency
- A native speaker of English who has completed his/her Master's degree in an English-medium institution and in a country where English is the official or de facto national language; or
- An applicant with a Master's degree in an English-medium program who can provide evidence of acquiring a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or its equivalent, at the time of admission to his/her Master's program.
3. Research Proposal Submission:
Submit a research proposal of 1,500-2,000 words clearly outlining the proposed research topic, objectives, preliminary literature context, and intended methodology.
4. Letters of Recommendation:
Provide two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional referees who can attest to the applicant's academic ability and research potential.
5. Admissions Interview:
Successfully complete an admissions interview conducted by the Doctoral Admissions Committee. Final recommendation must include a written justification from the Dean for final approval from the Graduate Studies Steering Committee.
6. Professional Experience:
Relevant professional experience in the field shall be considered an added merit during the admissions assessment process.
Conditional Admission
New candidates for doctoral program who are unable to obtain the required score for the English proficiency requirements stipulated in the "New candidate" part prior to their admission are conditionally admitted to the program in the condition that they achieve a minimum of a TOEFL ITP 500 or its equivalents prior to their admission at the university. Conditionally admitted students should fulfil the English entry requirements stipulated in the "new candidate" part before the end of their first semester at the university and can enroll at no more than 6 credit hours during their first semester. Students who fail to fulfill the above condition, will not be able to enroll for any further semesters until they fulfill the English entry requirements of their programs.
For More Information Please Contact To Our PSA Counselor.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Doctoral Degree/PhD
- Duration: 04 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
252000 AED
Average Cost of Living: 24000 AED /year
Application Fee: N/A