The DBA (Business Economics) Degree is a full-time research programme running over 36 months from the date of first registration for the programme and consisting of taught modules and research. The programme is delivered on a cohort basis emphasising the collaborative nature of learning appropriate to professional practice development. Applications for the programme are accepted throughout the year. Applicants should note that start-dates for each cohort is dependent on sufficient demand and available staff and other resources. Prospective students are advised to complete their applications at least three months in advance of their desired start date. The three possible start dates annually are January, April and October.

To be eligible for entry to the programme, candidates are required to satisfy both Academic and Professional Experience Requirements.

Academic Experience
Applications are welcome from graduates holding an MBA (or equivalent practitioner-oriented Master's degree) or a Master's Degree in Economics or Business Economics, at Second Class Honours level.

Professional Experience
In addition to educational experience, candidates must demonstrate evidence of significant work experience (at least 5 years) at a professional level that reflects considerable responsibilities and indicates future potential.

Exceptionally, graduates with Bachelors qualifications (at least Second Class Honours, Grade I, in their primary degree in Economics, or equivalent) and significant professional experience (at least 8 years) are also eligible to apply.

Both academic and professional references conveying suitability for and commitment to completing the programme will be sought. A Personal Statement is required as one element of the application to outline professional learning goals and rationale for entry to the programme.

Students take taught modules to the value of 85 credits. As a doctoral research degree the programme involves the completion of research work - thesis (research portfolio) - of approximately 40,000 words of publishable standard. The research must be worthy of publication, in whole or in part, as a work of serious scholarship. The research will be completed and submitted for assessment by viva voce at the end of Year 3.

Students take 270 credits as follows:

Year 1
Students take 90 credits as follows:
EC7006 Developmental Approaches for Practitioner-Researchers (20 credits)
EC7007 Research Design and Methods in Business Economics (20 credits)
Students undertake research work to the value of 50 credits that meets the satisfaction of the Programme Board.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Year 2
Students take 90 credits as follows:
EC7003 Research Design and Methods for Practitioner Researchers (15 credits)
EC7004 Research Analysis and Evaluation (15 credits)
Students undertake research work to the value of 60 credits that meets the satisfaction of the Programme Board.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module descriptions may be found here.

Year 3
Students take 90 credits as follows:
EC7005 Research Presentation, Analysis and Evaluation for Practitioner Researchers (15 credits)
Students undertake research work to the value of 75 credits that meets the satisfaction of the Programme Board.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Programme Learning Outcomes for DBA (Business Economics) (NFQ Level 10, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Display an original contribution to knowledge through a portfolio of research outputs that culminate in a research dissertation;
• Evaluate, and develop a more sophisticated understanding and assumptions about, global issues affecting their organisations and their personal/professional development;
• Interpret and assess the implications of their portfolio of research from the perspective of integration of organisational development with personal and professional development;
• Integrate economic theory with professional/organisational practice;
• Demonstrate application and critique of advanced conceptual frameworks in the light of their personal, professional and organisational-oriented research.