Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The School of Business and Information Technology offers one professionally-oriented doctorate
degree program: Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
The doctorate degree program is designed for the students to attain specialized and practical
competence in their field of studies and in the workplace. The DBA program is offered with the
emphasis on practical and real-world applications in both the coursework and the doctoral
dissertation requirements.

Objectives

The doctorate degree program in business administration emphasizes both mastery of subject
matter as well as an understanding of related research and research methodology for
professional-oriented projects/dissertations. The program aims to develop the students ability to
integrate knowledge and apply practical research to address problems and issues in the
workplace. It is designed for the student to accomplish specified goals and objectives and
contribute to competence in the subject area or profession at an advanced level.

Doctoral Program Committee

The DBA program is governed by its Doctoral Program Committee. The committee is
responsible for developing, modifying, and maintaining the doctorate degree program.
Committee members include qualified NPU faculty and administrators as well as other qualified
professionals or practitioners. The committee is knowledgeable in methods of research and in
the subject matter, chaired by a credentialed individual with expertise in the program area. The
doctoral students work with the committee members to pursue their doctoral studies.
The doctorate degree program also receives advice and guidance from its Advisory Board
comprised of members from similar accredited doctoral programs and past or future employers
of the graduates.

Applicant Qualifications

1. Earned a masters degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from an institution
accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; a previous degree
and work experience in a related field are preferred.
2. Strong interest in advanced study in the chosen subject area,
3. Independent research ability,
4. English proficiency,
5. Students with no or little experience in the work environment they will be prepared to enter
will be required to conduct curricular practicum before graduation.

Application Material

1. A completed application form for the doctorate degree program (online application is
available),
2. Application fee,
3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended and certified degree
document(s). All official transcripts must be received before the admission evaluation.
Applicants enrolled in courses at another institution at the time of application will have 60
days after the completion of the courses to provide the updated transcript. Any other
transcripts submitted after the admission evaluation will not be accepted. Failure to observe
this requirement will result in placement of the student in a non-degree status.
4. English Requirement:
(a) International students (holding F1 status) should have English skills to effectively
communicate with faculty, staff, and other students. A TOEFL score of 550 on paperbased test, or 213 on computer-based test, or 79 on internet-based test, or an IELTS score
of 6.5 is required to enter a doctorate degree program.
(b) Non-international students (with non-F1 status) whose native language is English or who
used English as the official language in their undergraduate studies are considered
meeting the English entrance requirement. Others follow the same requirements as that
for international students described in (a). Those who are in the U.S. at the time of
application for admission have the option to take the on-campus English Placement exam
(EPE) in place of TOEFL/IELTS before admission evaluation will be made for them. The
EPE passing score for the doctoral program applicants is higher than that for the other
applicants.
5. Entrance Exam: Applicants to the Doctor of Business Administration degree program are
required to take either the GMAT or the on-campus equivalent test before or on the New
Student Orientation Day. For taking the GMAT administered by the ETS, NPU's Institution
code for reporting the GMAT scores is 5485. The score is primarily used for reference
and analysis purposes,
6. A professional work history or a professional vita. Applicants with prior work experience
in his/her study field must also submit an employment certification letter issued by the
previous employer to certify the following for the applicant: Company name and address,
supervisors name and contact information, applicants previous job title, and a brief job
description.
7. Applicants to the DBA program are encouraged to also submit their Statement of Purpose.
8. An international applicant is also required to submit the following additional documents: a
financial support document either the applicants bank statement or a certified affidavit of
support (form I-134 or equivalent) from a financial sponsor indicating a minimum amount of
$25,000 available for the applicant to pursue his/her study in the first academic year at NPU.
A transfer student is required to submit (a) a photocopy of his/her previous I-20 form and
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request that the previous international student advisor complete the International Student
Transfer Record form for NPU and conduct the required SEVIS transfer process, and (b)
photocopies of the students passport, visa, and I-94 (admission & departure) document upon
arrival at NPU.