Haskayne Doctor of Business Administration
1. What is the difference between a DBA, a PhD and the Executive MBA program?
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2. Can I work while completing the program?
The DBA is a full-time program designed for busy professionals who can continue to work while completing their degree. At a minimum, you will need the support of your employer to be able to attend classes one Friday, Saturday and Sunday a month. The blended learning component of the program will require additional time on weekends and evenings.
3. If I need to travel for work, can I still complete the program?
We require that students attend all on-campus course days.
4. What is the mix of classroom and on-line learning?
Course delivery will combine online, blended learning and intensive on-site instruction.
5. What can I expect from the classroom experience?
Generally each course will be set up seminar-style, with discussions facilitated by the professor. To get the most out of your classroom experience, we ask students to come prepared for a high level of interaction with faculty and other students.
6. Will assignments be completed individually or in teams?
The DBA is a cohort program, which means that you will remain with the same individuals throughout the program. However, most of the work is completed individually.
7. How much time will I need to spend reading / writing per course?
In addition to the in-person class time, we recommend that you plan to spend approximately 20 hours reading (this includes both pre and post-course reading) and 10 hours on course assignments.
8. If I don’t live in Calgary, can I still take the program?
During the first two years classes will be held on campus approximately once every other month over three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). If you would like to receive a schedule of classes, please contact us.
If you are travelling from out of town, the University of Calgary offers a variety of accommodation options on campus.
Beginning in the fall of the second year, the focus will be on the development of your Integrative paper, so no formal classes are scheduled. The third year of the program is structured for completing your research.
9. How many courses are required to complete the program?
Students will complete eight courses (six core courses and two electives), a written Field of Study examination (Integrative paper), a Thesis proposal with an oral examination, and a Thesis with an oral defense.
10. How long does the program take?
It is expected that it will take students three to four years to complete the program.
11. Can I specialize?
The Haskayne DBA focuses on strategic management, allowing students to narrow their field of study through elective courses and research papers.
12. Is travel required for the program?
There is no international travel required for the program. The potential to take an elective course abroad is currently being explored.
13. How best can I prepare for the program?
The best way to prepare for the program is to attend the orientation. Over the course of two days you will learn about the structure of the program, student expectations, how to best read and prepare for your courses and much more. Should you wish to refresh your knowledge on mathematics, statistics, finance or economics we recommend taking the AnyPrep courses. Please contact us for more information.
14. What sort of networking opportunities are there?
Across the program are opportunities to network with your classmates, other students, faculty and business leaders. These opportunities take a variety of forms from guest speakers to workshops and receptions.
15. What is a typical schedule for a semester?
The start of each new course will generally begin on Sunday followed by time spent working with course material online. The remainder of the course will be delivered on the Friday / Saturday of the next month.
A typical schedule for the Friday / Saturday is as follows:
- 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast and individual/group work time
- 8:30 – 10:15 a.m. Class
- 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. Morning break with refreshments
- 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Class
- 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
- 1:30 – 3:15 p.m. Class
- 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Afternoon break with refreshments
- 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Class
16. Are computers provided by the program?
No, computers are not provided by the program. Students will need to provide their own laptop computer for use in-class and for the blended learning component. There is some IT support available for students who need help setting up wireless internet, university printers and email accounts on their computers.
If you choose to use a company-provided laptop, please be aware that there can be issues with firewalls and other security settings applied by your organization. As well, there is limited support for Mac computers and some of the software programs used do not run well on Macs.