Program Information
Golden Gate University designed an accelerated graduate program that is dedicated to working professionals residing in China. Using a 7.5-week term format, this program is offered online in Chinese (Mandarin) through our partner, Beacon Education. Note: This program is available only to students who enroll via the Beacon Education platform.
Aligned to GGU’s leadership and service mission, the Global DBA (GDBA) is action-based, language accessible, fast-paced 57-unit degree focusing on providing doctoral level tactical and strategic leadership and service skills necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving global management and strategy ecosystem and its issues. Offered in an accelerated delivery GDBA students take key courses that focus on management issues impacting organizations, leadership, and service. Building on existing GGU DBA courses, the GDBA program is designed for global management and marketplace. To be inclusive and accessible to the cross-cultural and inter-cultural marketplace, the GDBA curriculum is delivered in online and language accessible format.
GGU Worldwide’s Global DBA program is designed for professionals who want to further their career with the most advanced business degree program GGU offers. The GDBA program addresses the learning needs and objectives of senior business managers, consultants, and university professors. Its primary objective is to produce graduates who can contribute to the advancement of their professions and to the expansion of knowledge and awareness of contemporary strategic issues and practices.
Our curriculum has a three-tiered focus. Students examine current theories, practices, and issues in business; train in research methods; and study the relationships between business and social and global issues. We believe doctoral students must be adept in all these areas to be successful contributors to the expansion of knowledge and improvement of business practices. For the dissertation, students conduct original research on a topic of current importance and personal interest. The dissertation should impact and help illuminate the strategic issues they face in their professions.
The program encourages students to accept the added responsibility of a shared commitment to the advancement of their professions and to upholding the highest ethical standards in the private or public sector.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the GDBA program will achieve the program’s primary objectives through the development of:
- A thorough knowledge of the scientific and scholarly research methods and their application in the business setting in a senior management position, as a consultant, as a professor at the university level.
- Advanced critical and strategic thinking, conceptual and analytical skills.
- A strong understanding of both the seminal theories and the latest practices in business management including advanced and intensive knowledge of theory and practice in business.
- Advanced ability to use qualitative and quantitative tools to perform original applied research and analytics that advances business knowledge.
- An appreciation of cultural, ethical, diversity, equity, justice, environmental, and global issues and their impact on business theory and practices.
- Advanced skills necessary for effective decision-making in complex environments through integrating theoretic insights with practical knowledge.
Admission Requirements
GGU seeks doctoral candidates with strong intellect, proper educational preparation, breadth and depth of managerial or professional experience and the capacity for disciplined scholarly investigation. While most applicants have a master’s degree in a business-related field, applicants with academic preparation in other fields are welcome to apply.
Doctoral candidates must be fluent in Chinese and are expected to write at a level that meets the standards of scholarly publications. They are expected to understand contemporary practices in business and the economic, social, and political context in which they are conducted.
The admission decision is made by a faculty committee and is based on the applicant’s total accomplishments and skills. Specifically, admission to the program requires:
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in their most recent degree program.
- Admission of the following categories will be subject to the admission committee’s review of the applicants’ work experience and professional accomplishment:
- Applicants who have earned less than 3.0 GPA in their most recent program;
- Applicants who do not hold a master’s degree must hold a bachelor’s degree and possess a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience.
- Experience: Applicants with responsible managerial or professional work experience will be given preference. A professional resume is required.
- Statement of Purpose: All applicants are mandated to share a Statement of Purpose (SOP) of approximately 500 words detailing the following:
- What is your motivation to pursue the Golden Gate University DBA Program degree?
- How do you think the Golden Gate University experience will benefit your career?
- An admission panel will review applications and recommend applicants for admission to the GGU DBA Committee for approval.
Faculty
Faculty members who teach in our DBA program have doctoral degrees from leading universities in their fields and possess extensive practical experience. They bring a theoretical as well as a real-world view to their teaching and a commitment to dynamic, progressive education.
Students
Our students are one of the program’s greatest strengths. Typical doctoral students at GGU attend part time. Without exception, they come from successful careers in top positions in the private, nonprofit and government sectors. They bring their experiences and knowledge to the classroom and, in turn, demand incisive instruction and intelligent, well-developed classroom discussions.
Format
The DBA program is a fully online-asynchronous modality and offers a state-of-the-art curriculum delivered by experienced, highly qualified professors. In keeping with our commitment to support working adult professionals, we have one of the few accredited doctoral programs in the Bay Area that allows students to complete doctoral studies on a part-time basis and accommodate their work schedules.
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