Program Information
More than 50-years old, Golden Gate University’s Global DBA is an accelerated doctoral 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 apply via the Beacon Education platform.
Aligned to GGU’s leadership and service mission, the Global DBA (GDBA) is an 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 business management and strategy ecosystem opportunities and threats. Offered in an accelerated delivery method, GDBA students take key courses that focus on management issues impacting the leadership and service of business, government, and nonprofit organizations. 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 online and in language accessible format.
GGU Worldwide’s Global DBA program is designed for working professionals who want to further their career with the most advanced business degree program GGU offers. The GDBA program addresses the learning needs and career objectives of founders, influencers, senior managers, consultants, researchers, thought leaders, and part-time or full-time faculty. 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.
GGU Worldwide’s Global DBA curriculum has a three-tiered focus. Students examine current theories, practices, and issues in business; learn how to apply advanced research techniques; and study the relationships between business, social and global issues. Doctoral students must be adept in all these skill-set areas as well as adopt critical thinking skills 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 must be novel, should impact add to the body of knowledge, and help illuminate the strategic issues they face in their professions.
GGU Worldwide’s Global DBA 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 DBA program will achieve the following:
- Thorough knowledge of scientific, practical, and scholarly research methods and the ability to apply them in business as founders, senior managers, consultants, thought leaders, or professors.
- Advanced critical, transformational, and strategic thinking, conceptual and analytical skills.
- 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 and technology.
- Appreciation of cultural, ethical, diversity, equity, justice, environmental, and global issues and their impact on business theory and practices.
- Advanced skills necessary for effective leadership and service in complex evolving, emerging, and disruptive environments through integrating theoretical 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.
Admission decisions are made by the GGU International Student Admissions Office and are based on a comprehensive review of each applicant’s academic achievements and professional experience.
The following criteria apply:
- GPA Requirement: Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their most recent degree program for full admission.
- Resume: All applicants are required to submit a current resume/CV.
- Special Review Categories: The following applicants will undergo additional review by the Admissions Office, based on their professional experience and accomplishments:
- Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 in their most recent degree program.
- Applicants who do not hold a master’s degree must have earned a bachelor’s degree and possess a minimum of five years of professional work experience.
- Applicants in the Special Review Categories must also provide:
- A resume;
- A statement of purpose or complete an interview conducted by Beacon Education.
- The statement of purpose or interview must address:
- A minimum of five years of professional experience post-graduation;
- How earning a GGU degree will support their career goals.
These materials will be reviewed by the International Student Admission Office and/or the appropriate GGU Faculty Director or Dean as part of the final admission decision.
Faculty
All faculty members who teach in our DBA program have doctoral degrees from leading universities in their fields and possess extensive practical experience. They bring theoretical and a real-world views to their teaching, research, and advising and a commitment to dynamic, leading-edge education.
Students
Our students are one of the program’s greatest strengths. Typical doctoral students at GGU are working professionals. 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
In keeping with our commitment to support working adult professionals with accessible education, we have designed the GGU Worldwide DBA program as fully online, offering an engaging real-world, real-time curriculum delivered by experienced and highly qualified professors.
Return to: