Doctor of Business Administration for Academic Teaching: Does It Qualify You for Faculty Positions?

A Doctor of Business Administration is often the highest business degree one can get as it is a professional doctorate. Naturally, many people wonder if a DBA can allow you to pursue academic teaching roles. The simple answer is yes, you can pursue academic teaching positions after a DBA.  
Still intrigued to dive deeper into this topic? Then you are in the right place. In this blog on D Doctor of Business Administration for academic teaching, we will understand if a DBA program can fetch you academic teaching or faculty positions, at which level of study can you teach and how does a DBA degree compare to a PhD as a teaching qualification. Read along to find out more.  

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What is the general eligibility for teaching with a Doctor of Business Administration?  

The general eligibility for teaching with a Doctor of Business Administration can vary depending upon which university you are applying for. However, for most universities you need to have a good academic record along with certain years of industry experience so that you can provide both academic and practical insights to students.  

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Can a Doctor of Business Administration graduate qualify for academic faculty positions? 

Yes, as a DBA graduate you can qualify for academic faculty positions. With your expertise, you are particularly desired for faculty positions that focus on applied learning. This coupled with work experience can help you teach students with both practical and academic knowledge 

Is a Doctor of Business Administration equivalent to a PhD for teaching careers?  

In many cases, a Doctor of Business Administration may not be considered completely equivalent to a PhD for teaching careers, as a DBA degree is only focused on the practical application more and is a professional study program. But there are programs and teaching positions where a Doctor of Business Administration qualification suits better, such as in applied research for business and management.  

Want to know what is the earning potential after a Doctor of Business Administration? Read: Doctor of Business Administration Salary in India [For Various Job Roles]

What levels of teaching can Doctor of Business Administration graduates take on? 

Being a graduate with a Doctor of Business Administration can allow you to teach at various teaching levels namely undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses and even professional development programs designed for executives.  

Is a Doctor of Business Administration sufficient to teach postgraduate courses like MBA? 

Yes, with a DBA, you can teach PG courses like MBA. With your doctorate degree, combined with your professional expertise, you can teach a range of business administration subjects such as leadership, business strategy as well as organizational behavior.   

But some universities may require you to have some former experience in teaching or eligibility certificates to teach MBA, so it is always better to check the specific university or institution requirements. 

Can a DBA degree holder supervise doctoral research students?  

Doctor of Business Administration Course graduates can prove to be suitable and helpful supervisors for doctoral research students.  

They are often called in to help students as external supervisors or research guides wherein they are highlight valued for scholars looking to seek solutions to actual business problems with their research. 

Are Doctor of Business Administration graduates eligible for adjunct, visiting, or tenure-track roles?  

Yes, DBA graduates can be eligible for adjunct, visiting and in some cases, for tenure-track academic positions where they attempt to bring an angle of industry expertise into classrooms.  

When it comes to tenure-track positions, PhD holders may be placed above DBA graduates in most cases, but in some cases, universities can consider DBA graduates who bring in leadership or management experience. 

Curious to know about the DBA degree structure? Read here: What is the DBA Degree Format - Coursework, Research, Dissertation 

How does a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) compare with a PhD for academic careers?  

Both DBA and PhD are doctorate degrees, the difference is that a PhD leans more towards academic research and a DBA is more inclined towards applied business research. So, how does this distinction impact how these qualifications impact academic careers? Let’s find out further. 

How do universities value a Doctor of Business Administration vs PhD for academic teaching roles? 

Let’s see how universities consider DBA vs PhD for academic teaching roles with the help of a comparison table. 

Is Doctor of Business Administration more practice-focused while PhD is research-focused?  

Yes, a Doctor of Business Administration program is more practice-focused, while a PhD in the same subject is more academic research-focused. The key emphasis of a DBA course curriculum involves building upon existing research to apply in real-life problem-solving while a PhD in business administration aims to build new knowledge and theoretical literature.  

Can Doctor of Business Administration degree holders publish and gain recognition like PhD scholars?  

Yes, DBA holders can go on to publish their research work, which is applied in nature. This is how their research may differ from traditional doctoral research. They can get their work published in business reports, industry journals, case studies, etc. In this way, they can influence their standing in their network.  

Know what are the Key Differences between DBA and PhD in Business Administration 

What additional requirements do Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) graduates need for teaching positions?  

So far, we have learned that DBA graduates can qualify for teaching positions, especially in business education. But with a few additional qualifications in their portfolio can even better these chances. Let us now see what these additional requirements are 

Do Doctor of Business Administration graduates need prior teaching experience to qualify? 

Having prior teaching experience is not a compulsory requirement to go for a teaching position after DBA, but it can certainly be beneficial if you happen to have it. Many universities are interested in how you can bring in professional expertise to impart insight-driven education to students in business programs. 

Are publications mandatory for DBA degree holders to get teaching jobs?  

Publishing research is helpful, but not necessarily a mandatory requirement for teaching jobs. A Doctor of Business Administration program enables you to develop your applied knowledge, and due to this, you can present any work done on industry projects or case studies that demonstrate real business value. 

Is industry experience valued in academic hiring for Doctor of Business Administration graduates?  

Yes, your industry experience is actually a key player in terms of academic hiring after a Doctor of Business Administration program. Educational institutions and business schools especially look for DBA grads who can share their real-world insights in a developing business scenario, especially in the face of digital advancement.  

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Conclusion  

A Doctor of Business Administration can prepare you with specialized knowledge to enhance career prospects and personal growth. This degree helps learners master business expertise and research skills that can further qualify them for academic teaching positions. 

As businesses and industries advance, degrees such as DBA are the need of the hour to adapt to rising needs in research and business leadership. So, if you want to pursue a Doctor of Business Administration for academic teaching, make sure to pick the right program and assess how it will impact your teaching career growth in the coming years.    

Need expert assistance on choosing the right DBA program? Go ahead and book a free counseling session with upGrad. We would be happy to help you figure out your options. 

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Reference:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm