Earning the Online DBA (ABD)

To earn your Online DBA (ABD), you’ll need to complete a minimum of 18 semester-hour credits at Saint Peter`s University.

• 1 credit in Qualifying Examination (GB-860)
• 2 credits in Dissertation Proposal (GB-870)
• 3 credits in Business Ethics & Sustainability (GB-517)
• 12 credits in Dissertation (DS-871, DS-872, DS-873, DS-874; 3 credits each)

GB-517: Business Ethics & Sustainability (3 credits)

This course provides a framework for students to recognize ethical dilemmas and analyze the business implications in terms of consequences, autonomy, rights, virtues and equality. Extensive use is made case studies and current events using presentation, discussion and debate delivery methods.

GB-860: Qualifying Examination – (1 Credit)

To qualify for the degree, students must achieve a final grade of B or higher in each of the core courses required for the exam. This ensures that candidates possess the foundational knowledge necessary to succeed in advanced research and practice. Students are expected to complete this requirement by the end of their fourth trimester. Students who do not pass the qualifying examination will be placed on academic probation and must fulfill this requirement by the end of their sixth trimester to remain in good standing within the program.

GB-870: DBA Dissertation Proposal – (2 Credit)

The course gives an introduction to Python programming for statistical analyses and managing, analyzing and visualizing data. Topics include numeric and non-numeric values, arithmetic and assignment operations, arrays and data frames, special values, classes and coercion. Students will learn to write functions, read/write files, use exceptions, measure execution times, perform sampling and confidence analyses, and plot a linear regression. Students will explore tools for statistical simulation, large data analysis and data visualization, including interactive 3D plots.

DS-871: Dissertation Seminar I (3 credits)

This course is the first in a series of four courses designed to guide students through the process of conducting a data science research project and writing a dissertation. In this course, students will focus on laying the foundation for their research by developing Chapters 1 and 2 of their dissertation. They will learn about the essential elements of a research proposal, including problem formulation, dataset research (if needed), literature review, research questions, and hypotheses. Additionally, students will begin collecting and analyzing data related to their research topic. Emphasis will be placed on individual student work with their Mentor and Dissertation Committee members.

DS-872: Dissertation Seminar II (3 credits)

Dissertation Seminar 2 is the second part of a four-course series designed to guide students through the process of conducting a data science research project and writing a dissertation. In this course, students will delve into the critical aspects of obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for their research and initiating the data collection process. They will gain a comprehensive understanding of ethical considerations, data collection methods, and data management. Emphasis will be placed on individual student work with their Mentor and Dissertation Committee members.

DS-873: Dissertation Seminar III (3 credits)

Dissertation Seminar III is the third part of a four-course series designed to guide students through the process of conducting a data science research project and writing a dissertation. In this course, students will focus on the critical phases of data analysis, interpretation, and drawing meaningful conclusions from their research data. They will learn various data analysis techniques, visualization methods, and how to effectively communicate their findings.

DS-874: Dissertation Seminar IV (3 credits)

Dissertation Seminar IV is the final part of a four-course series designed to guide students through the process of conducting a data science research project and writing a dissertation. In this course, students will focus on finalizing their dissertation, including editing and polishing, preparing for the defense, and taking the necessary steps to successfully complete their doctoral journey. Students must maintain continuous enrollment in this course until they have successfully completed and defended their dissertation. Students must have their dissertation proposal approved by the Doctoral Committee for Research Involving Human Subjects prior to registering for this course.