DBA: Data Analytics Degree - Qualitative

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Degree Level

Doctoral

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Business

Program

DBA: Data Analytics (Qualitative)

Current Education Level

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Citizenship Status

U.S. Citizen

Military Affiliation

No military affiliation

Country

United States

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Overview

Earn Your DBA: Data Analytics From GCU

Grand Canyon University’s online DBA: Data Analytics program can prepare graduates to create and manage the deployment of data analytics in a variety of industries. In this DBA program, students will conceptualize enterprise data analytics, apply analytic techniques and software to interpret data, evaluate methods of data and analytic modeling and apply analytics to support data-driven business decision making. By the end of this program, students will have been taught to employ qualitative methodology to design, collect and analyze information in alignment with conducting a scholarly dissertation.

Doctor of Business Administration: Data Analytics (Qualitative Research)

Offered By

College of Doctoral Studies

Class Settings

Evening

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $750 per credit [More Info]

Evening: $750 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 60

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 9 doctoral credits

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Doctoral)

Doctoral Degree
3.4+ GPA*

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

Masters Degree
3.4 GPA**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA less than 3.4 may be accepted with specifications.
** Degree must be from an institutionally accredited school. Applicants with a GPA between 3.0 - 3.39 may be accepted with specifications. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will not be accepted.

Why GCU

Choose GCU for Your Doctoral Degree

Students enrolled in GCU’s qualitative DBA: Data Analytics spend their time examining events to better understand an observed phenomenon, whereas students enrolled in GCU’s quantitative DBA spend their time interpreting numeric data through the use of statistical tools. Both of these programs require students to explain their findings in a written dissertation.

Quantitative DBA Program

Coursework

Skills You Develop With a DBA: Data Analytics Degree

In the online DBA: Data Analytics program, you will research the emerging use of business analytics in organizations. You will interact with a multi-year integrated business case to experience the complex interactions associated with exploiting enterprise data for competitive advantage.

In addition to passing your courses, students must participate in two or three five-day residencies on GCU’s campus. These residencies are conducted to provide students with networking and mentorship opportunities. Courses in this program will cover the following topics:

Analytics foundations of business leaders

Economics for business decisions

Emerging issues in financial management

Enterprise data complexity

Qualitative data collection and management

The literature landscape: business

Using business analytics for competitive advantage

Careers

Job Outlook for DBA: Data Analytics Graduates

Earning your online DBA: Data Analytics can help you position yourself for a potential leadership role in your field. Graduates of this program can go on to work in a variety of industries and fill positions including:

Business intelligence director
Business intelligence solutions architect
Chief data officer
Chief executive officer
Data engineer
Data scientist
Professor
Strategic innovation manager

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major60 credits

Degree Requirements60 credits

To learn more about time to completion and the dissertation process at GCU, visit our doctoral page.

Core Courses

RES-815

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces doctoral learners to the principle elements of research, scholarly writing, and effective argumentation. Learners are made aware of the dispositions and expectations of doctoral researchers as well as the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility of scholars to contribute new knowledge to their respective fields of study. Learners begin the process of identifying a researchable dissertation topic and are acquainted with appropriate scholarly resources that support the development of the dissertation.

RES-820E

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners are introduced to the critical reading of scholarly qualitative and quantitative literature at the doctoral level. Learners also explore the concept of synthesizing the scholarly literature to identify problems and problem spaces that emerge to form a researchable topic of study. The application of scholarly argumentation from the extant literature to defend the need for a research study is discussed.

DBA-820

3 Total Credits

MGT-820

3 Total Credits

RES-831

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners are introduced to key components of qualitative and quantitative research designs and the means to critically appraise the application of research designs as observed in the scholarly literature. The University's core research designs are presented. Consideration is given to the initial selection and defense of a research design to address a problem that emerged from the extant literature.

RSD-851

3 Total Credits

RES-832

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods employed in qualitative and quantitative research designs. Learners explore the alignment of sampling, data collection, and data analysis methods to the research topic, research questions, and research design. The course positions learners to select qualitative or quantitative designs for their dissertation studies. Prerequisite: RES-831.

DBA-831

3 Total Credits

DBA-833

3 Total Credits

DBA-815

3 Total Credits

RES-841

3 Total Credits

RES-843

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners differentiate the epistemological foundations and explore the data trustworthiness, research ethics, and potential for bias in descriptive, case study, and phenomenology research designs. The process of building a rationale for design choice and aligning the research questions, interview questions, problem statement, and purpose statement is addressed. Sources of qualitative data are introduced for each design, and ethical aspects of research are discussed. Prerequisite: RES-841.

DBA-835

3 Total Credits

RSD-883

3 Total Credits

DBA-839

3 Total Credits

Course Description

Business is routinely using enterprise data analytics to create competitive advantage. This course addresses the complexity of implementing enterprise data analytics solutions and the related infrastructure considerations. In this course, learners will interact with a multi-year integrated business case to experience the complex interactions associated with exploiting enterprise data analytics for competitive advantage.

DBA-955

3 Total Credits

RES-873

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners explore qualitative data collection techniques and sources of qualitative data in the context of answering the research questions posed by a study. Consideration is given to the recognition of data saturation and the management of data. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs to prepare a written statement of data collection, and management activities. Prerequisites: RES-843 and one of the following: DBA-955 or DIS-955 or DHA-955 or PSY-955 or PCE-955 or TLC-955.

DBA-960

3 Total Credits

RES-883

3 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course, learners focus on the interpretation of qualitative data to produce written research findings, results, and implications. Learners continue to work with their respective dissertation chairs and apply information from this course to move ahead in the dissertation process. Prerequisites: RES-873 and one of the following: DBA-960 or DIS-960 or DHA-960 or PSY-960 or PCE-960 or TLC-960.

DBA-965

3 Total Credits

Continuation Courses

The course identified above represent the minimum academic course requirements only. Most students will also need to take one or more of the following Research Continuation Courses to complete a dissertation. Research Continuation Courses are 3-credit courses charged at the standard doctoral per credit rate.

DBA-966E

3 Total Credits

DBA-967E

3 Total Credits

DBA-968E

3 Total Credits

DBA-969E

3 Total Credits

DBA-970E

3 Total Credits

DBA-971E

3 Total Credits

DBA-972E

3 Total Credits

DBA-973E

3 Total Credits

DBA-974E

3 Total Credits

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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^§ MOU-Alumni 2000 Doctoral-July2025: The Alumni Scholarship for Doctoral Programs is only valid for those applicants who submit a complete application and begin a Doctoral program in July 2025. This scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other GCU scholarship or awards and only applies to online and evening programs. Please speak to a university counselor for complete details.