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The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is the highest professional degree in management, designed for senior executives and experienced practitioners who want to develop advanced research skills applied to real business challenges. Unlike a traditional PhD focused on pure academic research, the DBA bridges rigorous scholarly inquiry with direct managerial relevance.
The DBA is designed for senior managers, executives, and consultants with significant professional experience who want to conduct original research on a strategic business problem relevant to their field. It is suited for those who aim to contribute to both the academic community and their professional practice.
The program typically takes 3 to 4 years and is structured to accommodate working professionals. It combines taught modules in research methodology and management theory with the independent development of a substantial doctoral thesis grounded in real organizational challenges.
Participants choose a research topic in consultation with a supervisory team. Coursework covers research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, academic writing, and management theory. The thesis represents an original contribution to knowledge that is both academically rigorous and practically relevant.
Graduates are awarded the TBS Education Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and backed by the school’s Triple Crown accreditations (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS).
A PhD is primarily oriented toward an academic career, focusing on theoretical contributions to a discipline. A DBA targets experienced practitioners who want to develop research-based solutions to real management problems, combining academic rigor with professional applicability. DBA graduates typically pursue senior executive, consulting, or teaching roles.
Participants are assigned an experienced supervisory team providing regular guidance on their research. They benefit from access to TBS Education’s research labs, faculty expertise, library resources, and a community of DBA peers. Research seminars and workshops support progression through each phase of the thesis.
Applicants typically need a Master’s degree or equivalent (Bac+5), significant professional experience in a management role, a strong motivation letter outlining their proposed research area, and English proficiency. An admission interview with the DBA committee is part of the process.
The program is based on the Toulouse campus, with flexibility in module scheduling to accommodate participants’ professional commitments. Some modules may be offered in intensive residential formats.
The application process involves submitting a CV, academic transcripts, a research proposal or area of interest, and professional references, followed by an interview with the DBA admission committee. For tuition fees and financing arrangements, contact the TBS Education admissions team directly.