Next, let’s consider some of the key differences between a DBA and MBA program.
DBA vs. MBA: Primary Purpose of the Program
The differences between the MBA and DBA start with the goals and foundations of each degree. Graduates of an MBA program will explore the essential competencies of business. The MBA at GCU’s Colangelo College of Business teaches enhanced skills in transformational leadership, effective communication, ethical decision-making, critical thinking and productive networking.
The DBA from GCU’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on enhancing these skills, but doctorate programs can also be research degrees. Graduates are expected to conduct their own original research that adds to the body of knowledge in their field.
Career Opportunities for MBA vs. DBA Graduates
The careers that MBA and DBA graduates qualify for can be different, though degree holders from both programs may pursue high-level roles.
Job Opportunities With an MBA
Job titles can vary from one company and industry to the next. In general, however, some career possibilities for MBA graduates include:2
- Health center manager
- Marketing manager
- Logistics manager
- Sales manager
- Consultant
- Investment banker
- Business operations manager
- Human resources manager
- Budget or financial analyst
- Project manager
MBA graduates can work in a variety of industries, subfields and roles, working on everything from project management to human resources to marketing.
Job Opportunities With a DBA
Since the DBA is a terminal degree, earning it represents the highest level of academic achievement in a given field. Correspondingly, people who enroll in a DBA program are generally those who wish to pursue the highest level of professional achievement in their field. Some examples of job opportunities that may be aligned with a DBA degree include the following:3
- Chief executive officer (CEO)
- Chief financial officer (CFO)
- Chief operating officer (COO)
- Executive vice president
- Vice president
C-suite executives are responsible for establishing the overall mission, vision and goals of an organization, and for developing programs, initiatives or services that other professionals are to implement for the organization. In addition to pursuing a career in the C-suite, a graduate with a DBA might consider becoming a management analyst or market research analyst.3
Specific opportunities will vary based on degree. Different emphases offered in each degree will develop different areas of expertise. It is clear that DBA graduates have broad opportunities in C-level or other organization leadership roles. Other learners in a DBA program lean toward the academic focus of their degree, and this can lead to administrative careers in research and education.
Graduates of an MBA may also be qualified for high-level careers. MBA graduates working in companies with high upward mobility could potentially fill in some of the same roles a DBA graduate could, but DBA graduates are specifically trained for high-level leadership.
Professional Experience of DBA vs. MBA Learners
The amount of experience varies between the type of degree and the opportunities that individual learners pursue. Because many DBA graduates already have an MBA, it follows that most MBA graduates may have limited professional experience.
DBA graduates are typically well-established in their industry and desire to broaden their knowledge and innovate or lead change. The different range of experience helps reveal the focus of each degree. MBA learners may be unfamiliar with the concepts that DBA learners already actively apply.
Time to Completion for DBA and MBA Programs
Every university and individual degree program may be a little different. In general, however, it may take longer to complete a DBA program due to a required dissertation compared to an MBA program.
