All But Dissertation Program Highlights

Complete your dissertation and DBA with our Doctor of Business Administration All But Dissertation (ABD) option.

Data indicates that only 56% of doctoral students have graduated 10 years after starting their DBA programs. Completion rates are even lower for women (37%) and minority students (6%), according to PhD Completion and Attrition: Analysis of Baseline Program Data, Council of Graduate Schools, 2008. Withdrawal often occurs in the transition from coursework to the dissertation research phase of DBA programs due to the lack of mentor support, inconsistent standards and expectations, and a timed structure.

Why students choose Baker College for their All But Dissertation:

The ABD degree is disciplined and structured to ensure quality and timely completion.
Supported with strong mentors (DBA chairs) who guide the student as the “instructor” for the dissertation process.
Step-by-step guidelines and templates for the dissertation and evaluation.
The all but dissertation process is project based providing students with a familiar business driven structure.

With the Baker College ABD program students will:

Be able to move beyond standard managerial positions and into positions such as business consultant, analyst, C-level executive (CEO, CIO, CMO, etc.) or business operation specialist.
Start a career in academia by teaching business classes at colleges and universities.
Have a chance to develop these higher-level skills without having to put your career on hold.

At a glance

Credit Hours

Years (Avg.)

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Learn Your Way

Doctorate of Business Administration ABD classes are taught exclusively through Baker Online.

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Why Choose the Doctorate of Business Administration All But Dissertation at Baker?

In the dissertation only doctorate, you’ll have the education and skills it takes to solve problems at the very highest level of a business. Students may choose from six areas of specialization or design their own specialized fields of study. After earning your DBA degree online, a whole new world of career opportunities will be open to you.

ABD Doctorate Curriculum

The Baker College online Doctorate of Business Administration is a 1+-year program consisting of 28 credit hours to satisfy dissertation requirements only. Our curriculum includes a dissertation research problem and question, a doctoral specialization seminar and six dissertation courses.

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Sample Courses

Additional All But Dissertation Requirements

Students who have 32 semester credits from an accredited doctoral program can apply for advanced standing in the All But Dissertation (ABD) option.

To apply to the ABD program option, you simply submit an official transcript verifying that you have completed a minimum of 32 semester credits or equivalent in a regionally accredited doctoral program, along with a resume including your educational and professional experience. You will also submit a writing sample from your previous doctoral work.

All But Dissertation Program Outcomes

Our quality-focused, market-driven, and rigorous PhD ABD curricula will establish and enhance core business knowledge and the ability to anticipate and react to societal changes, as well as provide students with technological proficiency, the ability to make ethical decisions, and the communication skills that embody the professional acumen graduates need to make positive contributions to their chosen fields.

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How Does The Baker College ABD Option Work?

Admission Requirements

To apply to the Doctor of Business Administration All But Dissertation (DBA ABD Option), you simply submit an official transcript verifying that you have completed a minimum of 32 semester credits or equivalent in a regionally accredited doctoral program, along with a resume including your educational and professional experience. You will also submit a writing sample from your previous doctoral work.

Faculty Mentor

Once you’re admitted into the ABD program, you will be paired with an experienced faculty mentor who will serve as your dissertation chair and will provide one-on-one guidance throughout the dissertation process.

Dissertation Milestones

You will begin by completing an individual learning plan with your faculty mentor, which will include the specific milestones required to complete your dissertation and earn your doctoral degree. Next, you will develop a prospectus that includes all the major components of your doctoral dissertation, from a statement of the research problem and research questions to a description of your research design and the methods you plan to employ.

With the support of your faculty mentor and dissertation committee, you will develop a draft dissertation proposal. Once your proposal is approved, you will begin to collect and analyze data and, ultimately, complete your dissertation. At this point, your dissertation will go through a form and style review, and you will present your results orally over the phone to the committee. If your dissertation meets all requirements, you will submit your dissertation for publication to Proquest.

Time to Degree

You will be required to complete a minimum of 28 credits. Typically, students complete their dissertation in 1.5–2 years.

Resources

You will have access to a number of resources. For instance, in addition to your faculty mentor, dissertation committee, and other university staff who will be there to guide and assist you, Baker’s ABD degree option gives you access to a vast online library.

If you’ve been a part of a doctoral program but were not able to complete your dissertation, the all but dissertation program can help you finally earn your doctoral degree. It’s an amazing opportunity to reach a lifelong goal.

Accreditation

Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission / 230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411 / 800-621-7440 / www.hlccommission.org.

Doctorate of Business Administration

Business Administration (DBA-ABD)