AMERICAN HERITAGE UNIVERSITY
DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

American Heritage University’s DBA Program is a professional doctorate. It offers a route to a doctorate degree and thereby the title “Doctor” that is different from the traditional Ph.D. The DBA gives particular attention to the development of candidates as managers and business professionals. It places a high value on the transferability of investigative findings to and from the workplace, and it expects that the researcher’s own learning will contribute to the development of professional practice. Thus, a key characteristic of the DBA degree is that it recognizes the workplace as both the field for, and the beneficiary of, high quality research. Rather than add to their monthly workload, DBA candidates should seek to integrate and diffuse their doctoral studies within their working environment.

The American Heritage University DBA is focused on the candidate and the candidate’s business, and is designed to assure the attainment of high level understanding of business administration competencies and preparation for advance research. Program objectives include:

• Development of high caliber executives and consultants with applied research skills and advanced managerial skills to direct enterprises that operate in a complex, global and competitive environment;
• Advancing the long term viability of the organization through the candidate’s high level contributions;
• Enhancing the effectives of organizations through the application of the theory to “real-life” situation;
• Providing an opportunity to undertake a major individual research study which will have specific benefit to the candidate’s organization and career;
• Offering small, highly interactive and dynamic research sessions, delivered by commercially experienced practitioners and academics carefully selected for their practicality, excellence in teaching and outstanding performance in both intellectual and business practice.

1. A Master Degree or equivalent professional qualification, and
2. At least eight years relevant experience in top managerial positions.

Applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements may be called to appear for an
interview by a Selection Board. The formal interview will determine suitability of the
applicants against the following criteria: 

1. The admission requirements.
2. Business career and experience.
3. Potential for senior management.
4. Motivation and commitment.
5. Potential for success in the program.

Applicants accepted in this manner by the Selection Board may be required to add elements to the minimum program, as a condition for admission.

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
For the Doctor of Business Administration, participants must complete a minimum of 50 credits above the Master’s degree including the comprehensive review, and dissertation project activities. Further, the participant MUST complete that module that reflects the degree concentration and MUST complete a dissertation with an approved focus in that concentration. Participants complete the program, as outlined below:

Core Competencies: Select Any Three Modules from
DBA 601, DBA 603, DBA 605, DBA 607 (Required: 15 credits)
Research Preparation Tutorials: RES 651, RES 652, RES 653 (Required: 18 credits)
EXM 980: Doctoral Comprehensive Review (Required: noncredit)
RES 985: Dissertation Proposal (Required: 5 credits)
RES 990: Dissertation Project (Required: 12 credits)
EXM 995: Oral Review of Dissertation (Required: noncredit)

DBA participants complete 15 graduate credits in core coursework comprising the foundational competencies in theories, principles, and practices, and the social-cultural implications of the discipline. These courses represent the essential elements, which define the field of study and establish the underlying foundations upon which participants may base their advanced professional development. 

Required: 15 credits, select any 3 modules from the following:
DBA 601: Management Leadership Dynamics (5 credits)
DBA 603: Advanced Business Strategies (5 credits)
DBA 605: Strategic Marketing (5 credits)
DBA 607: Creating World Class Company (5 credits)

Each module will have a three-part grading scheme:

1. Scoring for extent of participation in the seminar activities
2. Assigned scholarly readings and submission of essays in reply to questions provided by the course instructor. Student replies must include full references to that literature.
3. A 15-page double-spaced typewritten scholarly paper that fully cites the academic literature that informs the paper. As an important part of the grading, instructors will provide written commentary and recommendations for the student.

Doctoral participants must pursue studies providing advanced research knowledge necessary for success in their dissertation projects. A minimum of 18 semester credits of research preparation coursework is required. Participants may focus their study upon quantitative and qualitative methods or participatory action research techniques. Research preparation includes an examination of research design, subject selection, and statistical analysis, as appropriate to the proposed project. Participants learn to effectively define applied problems or theoretical issues and articulate the rationale for the study. They learn to present an effective scholarly review of the academic literature and implement research methods for evaluating academic and professional issues.

Following approval of the dissertation proposal, participants begin their research projects. Dissertation research may be conducted via quantitative, qualitative, or participatory action methodology. Participants are required to conduct dissertation research of publishable quality that adheres to the approved area of specialization. As a minimum expectation, the manuscript must be structured according to a set of University-approved manuscript guidelines and exceed 120 double spaced, typewritten pages.

Required: 12 credit, as outlined below:
RES 990: Dissertation Project (12 credits)

Once the participants have prepared the dissertation manuscript, they will be asked to schedule the formal review process. The Review Committee will conduct the formal physical review of the dissertation manuscript and prepare for the oral review.

The physical review of the dissertation manuscript usually takes the Review Committee four to six weeks. Each reviewer will prepare questions and commentary relative to the underlying review of the literature, the dissertation methodology, the mechanics of the project, the body of the manuscript, and the presentation of the findings, conclusions and recommendations.

The oral examination is carried out by face-to-face discussion and is designed to allow detailed investigation of the dissertation. The Review Committee will explore issues related to the dissertation including methodology, review of literature and interpretation of the findings.

One outcome of the dissertation review process is a set of final expectations directing the participant through the remaining tasks for completing the dissertation manuscript. Once the final manuscript is approved, the participant will submit the formal document to an approved bindery and later ship the bound dissertation to the University for permanent archival storage. 

Required: non-credit, as outlined below:
EXM 995: Review of Dissertation (noncredit)

Step #1: Assignment of Faculty Review Committee
After the participant’s admission and registration, as the first step in the program, the University will assign the participant’s Faculty Review Committee. Once the primary member of the Committee has been assigned, the participant shall begin the preliminary activities of the degree program. The secondary and tertiary members of the Committee are assigned later during progress through the program.

Step #2: Study Plan Process
The first activity of the program is the completion of the Study Plan document, which guides the participant and review committee through the degree process. The Study Plan clarifies the degree designation and specialization that will be pursued through the program. The Study Plan itemized the subject modules and other activities to be completed as expectations for the degree, and includes a timeline of completion of each of activity.

Step #3: DBA Core Competencies
DBA participants complete 15 graduate credits in preparing a foundation in theories, principles and practices in advanced contemporary business administration aimed at arming the participants with the basic management orientation necessary to undertake successful research in business administration. The foundation stage of study will normally cover a period of 6 months and include study in management leadership dynamics, advanced business strategies and strategic marketing.

Step #4: Research Preparation
The research preparation modules comprise research tutorials as a preparation for successful dissertation research. Participants produce scholarly papers that focus upon the background and problem statement for their dissertation, clarification of the research questions, overview of the literature review, methodology for conduct of research, and clarification of research preparation and manuscript guidelines. These tutorials are grades by the Committee Chair on a pass–fail basis.

Step #5: Comprehensive Review
Upon completion of the core subject and research preparation modules, participants are authorized to undertake the Comprehensive Review. As the primary assignment, participants prepare an effective Summary of the findings from the research preparation modules with clear reflection upon the theme of their dissertation. The Review Committee shall present instructions and questions to the participant for primary focus in completion of the written assignment. Upon review of the participant’s written submission, the Review Committee shall conduct either a face-to-face conference or an telephone communication and exchange of email dialogue, exploring the student responses in detail and guiding the participant in perfecting the written response.

Step #6: Dissertation Proposal
Participants submit the dissertation research proposal under the direction of the AHU Doctoral Review Committee and according to publish University guidelines. After making the required changes and additions, the proposal is approved.

Step #7: Dissertation Project
Participants shall complete the Dissertation Project guided by the published guidelines of the University and their approved Dissertation Proposal. Upon completion of the research, participants prepare a draft of the research manuscript. Referencing of the scholarly literature throughout the dissertation manuscript is a vital element of the manuscript, without which it shall not receive University approval.

Step #8: Review of Dissertation
The Review Committee is provided a draft version of the dissertation manuscript for physical review. The Committee prepares a listing of concerns and questions to be explored with the participant during the oral review of dissertation. Participants are expected to be able to explore the dissertation in detail. A written version of the Committee’s questions and concerns, as well as a brief set of notes from the oral review should be prepared by faculty and provided to the University for the permanent archival record.

Step #9: Finishing Activities
Following the review of dissertation, the Chair of the Review Committee shall provide the participant with instructions for completing final corrections and modifications to the dissertation manuscript. Following approval of the final manuscript, the participant is authorized to arrange for binding the manuscript, and the document is submitted to the University headquarters. The Chair of the Doctoral Review Committee completes the Degree Record form and submits this document to the University together with requested quality control materials. Upon receipt of all mandated materials and documents, the student is “graduated” and the finishing documents are issued (letter of completion, transcript of record, and diploma certificate).

Attendance Policy
Attendance at all support seminars is highly recommended. On occasion, where participants must miss a scheduled seminar due to illness, personal, family or business emergencies, they may petition for permission to attend the replacement seminar either in another city or in the next program cycle. Attendance facilitates maximum interaction among participants and encourages personal and academic development.

Completion of Assignments
As a doctoral degree requirement, completion of course assignments is compulsory. Students are allowed 17 weeks following completion of the support module to submit assignments in completed form. All assignments are carefully evaluated and must satisfy minimum doctoral standards for essays, scholarly papers and reports, and referencing the assigned scholarly literature.

Special Refund Policy
As a special provision within the Asia Pacific Region, DBA tuition fees paid are refundable up to 60 days from date of payment, provided that the student issues a written notification discontinuing the program and requesting a refund to the EDS Asia-Pacific headquarters in Penang, Malaysia postmarked before the end of the period allowed.


Student Services: Financial
Questions by participants concerning fees and tuition payments, amounts and policies, should be directed to EDS Asia-Pacific headquarters in Penang, Malaysia or to the University. Participants may request the organization coordinating the support seminars to intervene on their behalf with the University, by providing such authorization in written format.

Student Services: Academic
Questions by students concerning academic policies, procedures and standards, and regarding course modules, locations and manner of instruction may be directed either to EDS Asia-Pacific headquarters in Penang, Malaysia or the University, whichever is appropriate to the student.

Minimum and Maximum Time Allowance
The minimum required enrollment period for DBA program is two year from the official date of registration and the maximum periods allowed for program completion is four years. Each course module is 17 weeks in length, beginning from the date of completion of the support seminar related to each module. Participants may petition the course instructor for a 30-day extension for completion of course assignments, when personal, family and employment situations merit. Should participants not complete the assignments in a timely manner, a grade of Incomplete shall be awarded, requiring re-enrollment in the course module and attendance at the residential component. Additional tuition may apply for students re-enrolling in any course module.

Coordination of Support Seminars
Participants may contact the following offices for assistance in scheduling support seminars for each module.