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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

312407 v.1 Doctor of Business Administration

DBA(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 023971C
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years


Course Overview

Doctoral degrees prepares students to acquire a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills to advance learning and/or professional practice corresponding to AQF level 10 qualifications.


The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) has been designed to develop highly skilled, critical thinking and practical managers who can also read, carry out and apply the results of the research initiatives. It enables students with extensive business experience to design and concentrate their research on a practical business situation and to be sensitive to research questions and implications that are inescapable in the conduct of business.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.


Course Overview Note

Curtin Business School provides facilities and benefits for those studying this course by research, including access to suitable computer facilities, office space for on-campus students, and financial assistance to attend appropriate intrastate, interstate or overseas conferences, and towards associated research costs.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards. Applicants require a master degree (research) or bachelor honours degree (first or second class) or a high standard in either a master degree (coursework) or bachelor degree with a graduate diploma (or equivalent). Alternative entry requirements may be considered, details are provided at http://research.curtin.edu.au/guides.


Applicants must have 7 years professional business or management experience, and a 75% CWA from a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Business Leadership (MBL) or equivalent Master degree, and authorisation of an appropriate research supervisor. Other requirements include: research proposal; interview; references; written statement; certified academic record; TOEFL score of 580 (if appropriate); IELTS score of 6.5 (if appropriate).


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Certificate in Business Research.


Course Entry/Completion Note

Students must maintain a 70% course average in their coursework units to continue with the thesis stage of their studies. Students who choose to receive an intermediate award and later wish to complete a DBA must proceed with the DBA application process and meet all entry requirements.



Course Organisation

Doctoral degrees require students to undertake a program of independent supervised study and produce significant and original research outcomes culminating in a thesis, dissertation, exegesis or equivalent for independent examination.


This course is studied as a research degree, which requires that at least two-thirds of the course is undertaken by research and the remainder by coursework. In the case of the DBA, 500 credits are completed by research thesis and 100 by coursework. However, if appropriate, students may be required to undertake additional relevant preparatory units and this may increase the stated course duration. The thesis follows Rule Ten: Degree of Doctor of Research. Throughout their enrolment and as agreed with their supervisor, students are expected to attend and actively participate in research seminars and workshops held at the Graduate School of Business to graduate with a DBA


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. have a thorough foundation of contemporary business and research theories, concepts and principles and be able to apply these in a group or organisational and/or research environment; an understanding of appropriate research methodologies and support of research paradigms

2. create and critically evaluate innovative ideas and strategies within ambiguous and uncertain business environments through conceptual and research application

3. access, evaluate and synthesise diverse information for intelligent business application and research methodologies

4. effectively communicate in a manner appropriate to their audience and their desired outcomes; this may include verbal outcomes required for candidacies and written presentation of thesis and subsequent journal publication

5. select and use appropriate technologies and recognise their advantages and limitations in undertaking research data collection and analysis

6. possess and be able to utilise life-long learning strategies through generalisable or prescriptive application of research findings to business environments

7. recognise and apply international research methodology perspectives within the global business environment

8. appreciate the complexity of organisations and have knowledge of research instruments that assist analysis and interpretation of the changing infrastructure and environment for an organisation

9. recognise and apply international research methodologyperspectives; work independently and in teams; demonstrate leadership; understand and demonstrate professional behaviour; demonstrate ethical practices


Duration and Availability

A minimum of two years and a maximum of four years equivalent full-time study.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Perth City Campus Research Term 1   Y   Y  

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
312404 v.2   Advanced Quantitative Research Methods 602 3.0 25.0
12769 v.4   Integrated Business Research Strategy 700 3.0 25.0
312405 v.2   Advanced Qualitative Research Methods 603 3.0 25.0
312406 v.1   Introduction to Research Methods 601 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
99155 v.2   Doctoral Thesis - Business (Graduate School)



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Curtin Business School on telephone (08) 9266 7713, email business@cbs.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://business.curtin.edu.au.


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.