Doctoral education at the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School is entering a new chapter. With the launch of its Executive Doctorate in Business Administration, Miami Herbert is attracting senior executives and accomplished professionals who want to apply rigorous research directly to complex, real-world business challenges. The program reflects a growing demand for doctoral studies that deliver immediate organizational impact without requiring a career hiatus.
In this Q&A, Angelika Dimoka, professor of business technology and director of Miami Herbert’s Executive D.B.A. program, offers a clear comparison of the Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) and the Ph.D. in Business Administration. Drawing on years of experience working with executives and doctoral candidates, Dimoka outlines how the two degrees differ in purpose, structure, research focus and career outcomes, helping prospective students determine which path best aligns with their professional goals and long-term vision.
Q: What is the difference between a D.B.A. and a Ph.D.?
A: At a basic level, both the D.B.A and the Ph.D. are doctoral degrees that require rigorous study and original research. Both are globally recognized, and both culminate in a dissertation or major research project.The key difference is purpose. The D.B.A. is designed for experienced professionals who want to apply research to real business challenges and create immediate organizational value. The Ph.D. is designed to advance academic theory and shape future scholarship.
Understanding this distinction is essential because it shapes everything from program structure to career outcomes.
Q: As director of the Executive D.B.A. program at Miami Herbert, what questions do professionals looking for a graduate degree most often bring to you?
A: I speak with professionals every week who find themselves at a turning point. They want more impact, more intellectual rigor, and a stronger leadership voice. At the same time, they want direction. A common question is whether they should pursue a D.B.A. or a Ph.D. While the degrees share a title, the experience and long-term outcomes can be very different.
Q: What is a D.B.A., and what type of student is it designed for?
A: A D.B.A. is a professional doctorate built for senior leaders, executives, consultants, and seasoned practitioners. Students bring real organizational challenges into their research, examine them using advanced methodologies, and develop solutions that can be implemented in current business environments.
The D.B.A. integrates scholarly thinking with managerial application. A student might analyze why a supply chain system breaks down under stress, how organizations adapt to artificial intelligence at scale, or how leadership frameworks can be redesigned for global teams. The emphasis is on relevance and impact.
D.B.A. programs also emphasize evidence-based management and advanced leadership, making the degree appealing for professionals looking to elevate their influence or transition into high-level consulting or executive teaching roles.
Q: What makes Miami Herbert’s Executive D.B.A. the best choice?
A: Miami Herbert’s Executive D.B.A. is designed for experienced leaders who want doctoral research to drive real-world impact. The program blends rigorous scholarship with applied research focused on challenges executives are already facing.
The school is among an elite group of institutions worldwide, holding triple crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS)—a distinction earned by only 1 percent of business schools globally. This commitment to academic excellence is further reflected in the school’s faculty, ranked No. 2 in the world for research productivity by the Financial Times, ensuring students learn from scholars actively shaping global business practice.
The three-year, part-time, hybrid structure allows professionals to continue working while pursuing advanced study. Located in Miami, a global business hub connecting the U.S., Latin America and international markets, the program draws a senior, globally minded cohort. It offers close faculty engagement, equipping graduates to translate research into strategic influence and organizational change.
Q: What is a Ph.D. in Business Administration?
A: A Ph.D. is a research doctorate focused on generating new theoretical knowledge. Students study foundational theories, develop advanced research skills and often contribute to academic publications. The degree prepares candidates for careers in research institutions, universities, or policy organizations.
Ph.D. study is immersive and typically full-time. Students commit several years to coursework and dissertation research. Their work is designed to influence academic thought rather than day-to-day business practice.
Q: How do program structure and time commitment compare?
A: D.B.A. programs are designed for working professionals. They often include part-time schedules, modular or weekend residencies, hybrid delivery, and cohort-based learning. This structure allows students to apply research to their organizations in real time.
Ph.D. programs are typically full-time, last four to seven years, and are centered on coursework, teaching or research assistantships, and dissertation work. Consistent on-campus presence is usually required.
Q: How does doctoral research differ between a D.B.A and a Ph.D.?
A: D.B.A. research focuses on solving real-world business problems. Students blend theory with practical application to produce insights leaders can use to make better decisions. Projects may include redesigning operational processes, developing digital transformation frameworks or evaluating strategies for sustainable growth.
Ph.D. research focuses on advancing theoretical understanding. Candidates explore broad academic questions that often require years of study, such as how organizational cultures evolve, how economic behavior can be modeled or how leadership psychology develops.
Q: What should prospective students understand about cost and potential career paths?
A: D.B.A. programs follow a professional tuition structure similar to an MBA. Students typically see returns through career advancement, expanded consulting opportunities, or increased organizational impact.
D.B.A. graduates often move into executive leadership, high-level consulting, or entrepreneurial roles. Many also teach in professional master’s programs or executive education.
Ph.D. programs often provide tuition waivers or stipends because students support faculty research and undergraduate instruction. This reflects the traditional academic model.
Ph.D. graduates typically pursue careers in academia, research institutions, government agencies, or think tanks, where scholarly inquiry and publication are central.
Q: In your conversations with prospective Executive D.B.A. students, what do you often observe early in their studies?
A: In my conversations with prospective doctoral students, I often share an observation from years of working with senior executives. Many tell me that within the first year of doctoral study, they notice something unexpected. Their thinking sharpens. Their decision-making becomes more deliberate. And, their perspective expands in ways that influence every part of their professional life. That transformation makes sense. When you step into doctoral-level work, the way you approach problems begins to change almost immediately.
Q: What final advice do you offer to professionals deciding between a D.B.A. and a Ph.D.?
A: It comes down to what motivates you. Consider whether you want to create theory or apply it, whether you prefer an academic environment or an executive one, and whether full-time immersion or a flexible structure fits your life. Both degrees are valuable. The right choice depends on the future you want to build.
