Rankings for DBA's. Help from the more experienced requested.
Hello all,
I have been a professor for just over a year now and am enjoying it quite a bit.
A little background about me:
I hold two masters in business, an MBA and an MA in Business Education, from higher end business schools. Since graduation I have worked as a private consultant in the city, as was my plan all along.
During my graduate studies I was told by several professors and even the president of my program that they thought I would make a good professor and that if I finish my doctorate to let them know.
I took it as a compliment but had never really considered academia since...well....as a business major we are in it for the big money. (That being said, now that I am in academia, the professorships actually pay quite a bit more than those of us outside the field are led to believe. Actually, waaay more. But that's off topic).
However, recently, a community college near me was in need of a business professor. I applied based solely on what my former professors had told me, but didn't except anything of it as I had no prior teaching experience aside from the limited exposure from my MA.
Surprisingly, they asked me to be their professor.
Now, after a year at it, I am enjoying being a professor far more than I thought I would.
So much so, that I am now considering doctoral programs to advance my academic career, as well as increase what I charge for private consulting. (Perhaps move into administration at the college, or an eventual dean is the advancement I speak of)
The PhD is of course the standard for academia, however, most PhD students seem to average around 24 years of age, fresh out of BA, and I don't think this would be a great fit for me. Also, most PhD programs seem to be full time and 4-7 years...which just isn't an option. Finally, the PhD really doesn't do anything within the practical business world. (Consulting)
I considered the EdD, but ran into many of the issues above. However, the EdD seems to be the quickest and most cost effective degree of the bunch. Can't overlook the advantages there.
The best choice, at least from the angles I have looked at, seems to be the DBA (Doctorate of Business Admin).
It would not only be the doctorate I need to progress my career in academia, but would also give me the knowledge I need to further my consulting career, or even boost opportunity's of employment at a large company.
(Please speak up if those of you with more experience think otherwise regarding my above thoughts. I am only 30 and take criticism very well. I realize I don't know it all better than most.)
So, the issue, at last. There doesn't really seem to be a definitive ranking for DBA programs like there are for...well...lots of others. (College, Business Schools..etc).
The exception being, the best DBA is HBS (Harvard Business School). That's great, except HBS DBA is basically a PhD...I'm not really sure why they call it a DBA. 5 years, on campus, full time....as stated above, that doesn't work.
I am really looking for DBA's meant for already established professionals. The kind that requires a masters (MBA) as well as 8-12 years of real world business experience. They seem to be usually around 3 years and part time.
From what I have found, the DBA that fits this bill that is highest on the rankings for Business School/Colleges seems to be Pepperdine in Malibu CA.
Again, please correct me if I am wrong or please point me in the direction if there are indeed rankings for these type of executive DBA programs that I am just missing.
Or, if you have experience here, please let me know.
Now, I know a DBA is not going to get me a professorship at Stanford or the like, I know that's a PhD game. However, I really like how the DBA seems to apply to my advancement in both academia and the applicable business world.
Thank you for all of your info and help!