Earn the most prestigious title in your career and develop leadership skills suited to today’s global business challenges. This online DBA program empowers you to innovate and lead at the highest levels.
Doctorate
May 31, 2025
36 Months
This course was designed to empower experienced professionals with advanced knowledge and research skills to enable them to drive innovation. Upon completion, learners will be awarded an DBA degree from Euro Asian, Geneva.
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Doctor Degree in Business Administration
1. Foundations of Public Policy and Administration
Study the evolution of Public Administration theories, including classical, neo-classical, and modern approaches. Focus on governance, bureaucratic behavior, policy implementation, and administrative ethics. Understand New Public Management, public service delivery, and participatory governance. Link theory to practice through case studies, emphasizing accountability, transparency, and effective policy formulation in real-world settings.
Study the origins, key milestones, and theoretical frameworks of public policy. Understand policy evolution across eras, including industrialization, welfare states, neoliberalism, and globalization. Explore influential thinkers, institutional developments, and policy-making models. Analyze how historical context shapes contemporary governance, decision-making, and administrative practices in public policy and administration.
Understand the evolution, theories, and structures of bureaucracy; its role in policy implementation, accountability, and governance. Explore Weberian and post-Weberian models, bureaucratic efficiency, red tape, public sector reforms, and the relationship between bureaucracy, democracy, and citizen engagement. Analyze governance frameworks, institutional dynamics, and the politics-administration dichotomy in policy processes.
Study the role, structure, and functioning of public institutions, focusing on how institutional design shapes governance, accountability, and policy outcomes. Analyze institutional theories, comparative models, decision-making processes, and reforms. Understand how institutions adapt to societal needs, promote equity, and influence policy effectiveness in diverse political and administrative contexts.
2. Policy Analysis and Evaluation
Understand policy cycle stages, including agenda setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation. Study stakeholder analysis, institutional frameworks, governance models, evidence-based policymaking, and policy instruments. Explore challenges in execution, inter-agency coordination, political influences, and accountability mechanisms. Emphasize real-world applications, comparative analysis, and the role of public participation in policy processes.
Understand the principles of Cost-Benefit and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, focusing on evaluating public programs' efficiency. Learn to quantify costs and benefits, compare policy alternatives, assess social impacts, and apply decision-making tools. Emphasize ethical considerations, stakeholder interests, and real-world applications in shaping effective, evidence-based public policy and administrative strategies.
Learn how to design, implement, and assess policy interventions; understand qualitative and quantitative evaluation techniques; apply logic models; measure program effectiveness and outcomes; ensure accountability; and use evidence-based findings to inform policy decisions and improve governance.
Study key decision-making theories like Rational Choice, Bounded Rationality, Incrementalism, and the Garbage Can Model. Understand how actors, institutions, and contexts shape policy choices. Analyze how evidence, values, and power influence outcomes. Apply these theories to real-world policy problems, enhancing strategic thinking and critical analysis in public administration.
3. Research Methods and Design
Learn statistical analysis, hypothesis testing, survey design, sampling techniques, regression models, and data interpretation. Understand how to apply these methods to evaluate policies, measure outcomes, and support evidence-based decision-making. Master software tools like SPSS or R, and focus on research ethics, validity, reliability, and the generalizability of findings.
Learn the foundations of qualitative research design, data collection methods (interviews, focus groups, observations), coding and thematic analysis, ethical considerations, and reflexivity. Understand how to interpret narratives and contextual factors to inform public policy decisions. Develop skills to critically assess qualitative studies and apply findings to policy and administrative challenges.
Learn key elements of research design including problem identification, literature review, methodology selection, and data analysis. Understand proposal structure, ethical considerations, feasibility, and alignment with public policy goals. Emphasize clarity, relevance, and impact. Develop skills to critically frame research questions addressing real-world administrative and governance challenges.
Learn key statistical concepts like hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and multivariate techniques. Understand data collection, sampling methods, and interpretation of results. Focus on applying statistical tools to evaluate public policy outcomes, inform decision-making, and conduct evidence-based research in social contexts relevant to public administration and governance.
4. Public Economics and Budgeting
Understand key theories of public expenditure (Wagner’s Law, Peacock-Wiseman Hypothesis, and Musgrave's theory) and revenue (taxation principles, Laffer Curve). Analyze government budgeting, fiscal policy, and allocation efficiency. Explore equity, economic stability, and growth impacts. Critically assess policy implications for sustainable public finance in governance and administration contexts.
Understand government revenue/expenditure, budgeting processes, tax structures, fiscal decentralization, equity and efficiency in taxation, policy impacts on economic growth and inequality, and the role of fiscal tools in shaping public services, governance, and sustainable development.
Learn budget formulation, execution, and evaluation; fiscal federalism; revenue generation; public expenditure analysis; performance-based budgeting; transparency and accountability mechanisms; financial auditing; and the political, economic, and ethical implications of budgeting decisions on governance and policy outcomes.
Understand how policy decisions influence economic indicators like growth, employment, and inflation. Study fiscal and monetary policy tools, cost-benefit analysis, regulatory impacts, and public budgeting. Explore case studies, economic modeling, and stakeholder effects to assess policy effectiveness. Link theory with real-world implications in governance and public administration.
5. Governance and Institutional Development
Understand institutional frameworks, citizen participation, accountability mechanisms, transparency, rule of law, decentralization, policy formulation, electoral systems, public trust, and governance ethics. These elements shape effective, inclusive, and responsive policymaking within democratic societies and influence governance outcomes and reforms.
Understand coordination among federal, state, and local governments. Focus on fiscal federalism, policy implementation, power dynamics, conflict resolution, and collaborative governance. Analyze how intergovernmental frameworks shape public policy outcomes, accountability, and administrative efficiency in complex political systems.
Focus on understanding types and causes of corruption, institutional frameworks for accountability, governance mechanisms, anti-corruption policies, transparency initiatives, role of civil society and media, public sector ethics, and international anti-corruption norms. Analyze policy effectiveness and implementation challenges in diverse contexts.
Explore governance transformation, efficiency improvement, accountability, transparency, decentralization, citizen-centric services, regulatory frameworks, New Public Management, digital governance, and the political economy of reform. Emphasis should be placed on comparative models, implementation challenges, and institutional resistance.
6. Comparative Public Policy
Learn how to compare policies across countries, understand contextual influences, assess policy transferability, evaluate effectiveness, identify best practices, and critically analyze cultural, political, and institutional differences affecting policy design, implementation, and outcomes globally.
Learn key models of policy transfer and diffusion, including lesson-drawing, coercive transfer, voluntary emulation, and policy convergence. Understand actors, mechanisms, and contextual factors influencing policy movement across borders. Analyze real-world examples, assess impacts, and evaluate the role of institutions and global networks.
Grasp institutional frameworks, political cultures, policy-making processes, accountability mechanisms, and administrative structures across nations. Emphasis should be on evaluating governance effectiveness, democratic principles, decentralization, and public sector reforms to inform better policy design, implementation, and cross-national policy learning.
Study the structure, roles, and governance of international organizations; analyze how they shape global policy agendas; examine their influence on national policies through funding, norms, and technical assistance; evaluate intergovernmental dynamics; and explore their role in policy diffusion, capacity building, and global public goods provision within public policy and administration contexts.
7. Ethics and Public Accountability
Learn ethical frameworks, accountability, integrity, transparency, conflict of interest management, and the role of ethical leadership. Understanding how ethics shapes policy implementation and public trust is crucial for responsible governance, institutional legitimacy, and effective public administration.
Study the role of transparency in governance, policy-making, and public trust. Analyze anti-corruption frameworks, institutional accountability, whistleblower protection, and international conventions. Explore policy tools, implementation challenges, and case studies. Evaluate the impact of digital technologies and civic engagement on reducing corruption within public administration systems and promoting ethical governance.
Learn the principles of integrity, accountability, transparency, and public interest in ethical decision-making. Understand frameworks for analyzing dilemmas, balancing competing values, and applying ethical theories in policy contexts. Explore the impact of leadership, institutional culture, and governance structures on ethical choices in public service within diverse political and administrative systems.
Understand key legal principles, constitutional foundations, regulatory systems, and normative theories shaping governance. Study administrative law, policy implementation mechanisms, and international legal influences. Explore how legal frameworks ensure accountability, protect rights, and guide ethical policymaking. Examine comparative legal systems and the interplay between law, norms, and public administration in policy development.
8. Public Management and Leadership
Focus on policy formulation, implementation, performance measurement, stakeholder engagement, leadership, innovation, and resource allocation. Understand strategic planning models, governance frameworks, public value creation, and accountability. Explore how strategic tools improve institutional effectiveness, transparency, and responsiveness in complex public administration environments.
Learn the principles, structures, and challenges of Human Resource Management (HRM) in government, including recruitment, performance management, training, labor relations, and ethics. Understand policy implementation, public service motivation, bureaucratic accountability, and HRM reforms. Analyze how HRM influences governance, efficiency, equity, and the delivery of public services within public institutions.
Learn about leadership styles, decision-making processes, organizational culture, motivation, bureaucracy, change management, and employee behavior. Understanding these dynamics helps improve policy implementation, governance effectiveness, and public sector performance through informed administrative strategies.
Understand key leadership theories (transformational, transactional, servant, and adaptive), their evolution, and practical applications in governance. Analyze how leadership styles influence policy-making, public sector performance, and ethical governance. Explore leadership challenges in diverse political contexts, emphasizing strategic decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and accountability within public institutions for effective administration.
9. Policy Sectors and Special Topics
Learn policy development, healthcare systems analysis, stakeholder engagement, regulatory frameworks, financing models, program evaluation, equity in healthcare access, crisis management, and the impact of political, social, and economic factors on public health governance and implementation.
Focus on policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation; equity and access; funding mechanisms; education governance; the role of federal, state, and local governments; stakeholder engagement; reforms; and how education policies impact social, economic, and developmental outcomes nationally and globally.
Learn policy design, governance frameworks, global agreements (e.g., Paris Agreement), climate justice, stakeholder analysis, sustainability strategies, regulatory instruments, environmental economics, intergovernmental coordination, and the role of science in policy making, emphasizing equity, resilience, and long-term impact.
Understand policy frameworks shaping urban and rural development, governance structures, decentralization, infrastructure planning, sustainable development goals (SDGs), socio-economic disparities, land use, migration, resource allocation, and stakeholder participation. Analyze policy impacts, implementation challenges, equity, and inclusion to inform evidence-based strategies for balanced, inclusive, and sustainable development in diverse regional contexts.
10. Globalization and Public Policy
Learn about international institutions, policy coordination, transnational networks, multilevel governance, accountability mechanisms, and the role of states and non-state actors. Emphasis should be on how global norms influence domestic policy and administrative reforms.
Study development disparities, governance issues, and institutional weaknesses. Understand poverty, inequality, corruption, and informal economies. Analyze policy implementation gaps, donor influence, and globalization impacts. Explore climate change, migration, and urbanization challenges. Examine case studies to evaluate reform outcomes and local innovations in addressing complex socio-political and economic issues.
Focus on understanding migration drivers, policy responses, governance frameworks, human rights implications, integration strategies, transnational networks, and the role of international organizations. Study comparative immigration policies, diaspora engagement, border management, and the impact of global migration on national development and public service delivery.
Understand the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into public policy frameworks. Analyze policy design, implementation, and evaluation for achieving SDGs. Explore governance, institutional roles, and stakeholder engagement. Examine challenges, innovation, and accountability mechanisms. Study global-local linkages, resource allocation, and evidence-based policymaking within the context of sustainable, inclusive development.
Conduct original research to address a real-world business problem. Learn to formulate research questions, apply theoretical frameworks, and contribute to academic and professional knowledge. Every Learner will go through these following six simple steps to complete their Thesis with the help of a Professional Expert.
What Our Learners Have To Say About Us
Pursuing my Doctorate in Business Administration was more than just an academic pursuit—it was a transformational journey. The research support and global exposure helped me establish myself as a thought leader in strategic management.
Analyze how Amazon or Netflix navigated shifting market conditions through strategic foresight, innovative thinking, and effective change management. Examine key decisions, adaptations to technology and consumer behavior, and leadership in driving transformation. Highlight lessons in resilience, long-term vision, and innovation that enabled sustained competitive advantage.
Analyze Satya Nadella’s transformational leadership at Microsoft, focusing on how his leadership style influenced employee motivation and drove cultural change. Examine key initiatives, communication strategies, and leadership behaviors that reshaped the company’s vision, collaboration, and innovation. Evaluate outcomes through performance improvements, employee engagement, and organizational culture transformation.
Analyze how Apple maintained supply chain resilience during COVID-19, focusing on logistics optimization, risk management strategies, and supplier relationship management. Examine disruptions faced, Apple’s response, and lessons learned. Highlight how Apple adapted operations, diversified suppliers, and leveraged technology to ensure continuity and meet global demand during the pandemic.
In this case study, analyze Tesla’s approach to raising capital and taking financial risks. Evaluate its valuation methods, capital structure decisions, and strategic financial choices. Assess how these influenced growth, investor confidence, and market positioning, while considering implications for long-term sustainability and competitive advantage in the electric vehicle industry.
In this case study, analyze how Airbnb achieved rapid growth through disruptive innovation. Focus on its unique business model, how it scaled operations globally, and secured funding to fuel expansion. Examine key strategies, challenges faced, and the impact of innovation on the hospitality industry’s traditional dynamics.
Analyze how Coca-Cola tailors its branding and marketing strategies to different regions using consumer psychology insights and data-driven approaches. Examine specific regional campaigns, cultural adaptations, and how consumer behavior influences branding decisions. Highlight the effectiveness of personalized marketing and the role of data in shaping Coca-Cola’s global yet local brand presence.
Analyze the Volkswagen emissions scandal by examining the ethical lapses, failures in compliance, and the role of the board. Evaluate how decisions were made, who was responsible, and how stronger governance could have prevented it. Recommend strategies to enhance ethical decision-making, regulatory compliance, and board accountability in corporate settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a doctoral-level program for professionals who want to lead through research and
innovation. It blends academic depth with real-world impact, helping you turn workplace
challenges into meaningful, research-driven solutions.
Yes, absolutely. It's built with your schedule in mind. You can pursue this PhD alongside your
job, with flexible study hours and a structure that respects your work-life balance.
This is a blended program, primarily conducted online. You'll learn through a mix of live virtual
sessions, recorded lectures, guided mentorship, and independent research. No campus visits
required—unless you choose to attend optional events.
You’ll learn from globally recognized faculty—experienced researchers, tenured professors, and
industry experts. They’ll not only teach you but guide your research journey with real insight and
personalized attention.
Instead of a traditional thesis, you’ll work on a Practicum Research Project. It’s based on a real
issue from your work or industry. With your advisor’s help, you’ll research it rigorously and may
even publish it, depending on your goals.
Not at all. This PhD is designed for professionals, not career academics. You’ll be supported
through every research step—from forming questions to analyzing data—with practical
guidance tailored to your experience level.
Most learners complete the program in about 2.5 to 3 years, depending on how much time you
dedicate. The flexible design means you can move at your own pace, balancing study with your
personal and professional life.
Yes. The degree is awarded by Euro Asian University in Estonia, a recognized institution within
the European Higher Education Area. It holds academic value across Europe, the U.S., and
beyond.
Publishing is not required but highly encouraged. If your work has practical or academic value,
your advisor can guide you in submitting it to journals or presenting it at conferences.
The cohort includes senior executives, consultants, educators, entrepreneurs, and mid-career
professionals. Everyone brings unique experiences, making for rich peer discussions and
networking opportunities.
Whether you want to teach, lead strategic transformation, consult, or start your own research
firm, this PhD helps position you as a subject matter expert and decision-maker in your domain.
The application is simple. Share your academic and professional background, express your
research interests, and have a short conversation with our admissions team. From there, we’ll
guide you through every step
Our advisors are available around the clock to answer questions and support your educational journey. Connect with us today to explore how upGrad can help you meet your career goals.
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