Atlantic TU offers the first Doctorate of Business Administration in the west and northwest

As part of its mission, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has launched a unique practice-based Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA), offering the highest level of management qualification.

Demonstrating the scale and impact of the new University, ATU’s Faculty of Business offers this new flexible four-year DBA, leveraging a 20-year history in the provision of Executive Education. A DBA programme is suited to leaders and innovators seeking to develop deep expertise and critical analytical skills, equipping them with the knowledge to address serious complex organisational challenges.

At the launch in Galway on Friday, 6 October (2023), the DBA programme team was supported by ATU President Dr Orla Flynn who praised the vision and expertise in the faculty in their pursuit of developing the DBA: “As the highest level of management qualification available, the programme team have successfully designed a programme that meets these exceptional academic standards. Supported by leading academics and visiting Professors, the DBA will enrich our academic community and foster excellence amongst our business leaders.” she says.

Head of Faculty Michael Margey commented on the value this management qualification will offer leaders in academia, industry and public sector alike: “In the last 20 years, we have seen the growth of MBA qualifications, providing general expertise in management. A DBA is the next level, with significant emphasis on building the knowledge and research capacity to deeply analyse systemic challenges, requiring new approaches and thinking to solve global challenges impacting all aspects of business. If we consider significant themes like housing, health, climate and advances in technology, such as AI, all aspects of business and society are impacted”. 

Patricia Doherty, Head of Department of Business Studies, outlines how the programme team is built from staff across Donegal, Sligo and Galway-Mayo pulling, on the full strength of ATU, and notes the value of the programme: “A DBA candidate will develop the skills to critically analyse academic literature, whilst also building the knowledge to undertake their own original research. As a practice-based DBA, candidates will often propose an organisational problem or opportunity and utilise their subject matter expertise as their starting point.”

The Doctorate of Business Administration programme is now accepting applications and will commence in January 2024. The joint Programme Directors, Dr Tena Patton and Dr Anne Burke, are hosting a series of virtual and in-person events throughout October and November.  For full details and to register interest visit www.atu.ie/dba 

For a description of the programme, please visit  www.atu.ie/dba.