Doctor of Business Administration DBA Advanced International Management Expertise for Executives, Entrepreneurs, and Practice-Oriented Academics

The Doctor of Business Administration DBA program develops advanced business administration and management skills for executives, entrepreneurs, and practice-oriented academics. By completing the DBA, candidates refine their competences and perfect their ability to tackle their management and leadership challenges with innovative and scientifically grounded solutions. 

Overview

Our international and interconnected world is creating novel and more complex challenges for executives in all industries, markets, and organizations. We believe that international structures and processes of our economy can be managed far more successfully if the people entrusted with them are equipped to operate effectively across national and cultural boundaries. Our DBA program offers advanced expertise in this realm, providing a one-of-a-kind development opportunity for ambitious and intellectually curious executives, entrepreneurs, and practice-oriented academics, whose work places them in international and intercultural settings, and who aim to master the resulting challenges meaningfully, insightfully, sustainably, and with intellectual rigor.

For this program, we have teamed up with the renowned Silpakorn University in Bangkok, Thailand – one of the best in Southeast Asia – to offer DBA candidates a well-designed and thoroughly coached pathway towards the doctorate degree, which is awarded by Silpakorn University. Jointly offering the DBA with Silpakorn University ensures that candidates’ doctoral journeys not only encompass intellectual and methodological rigor, but also a fruitful context for international and intercultural learning and development. 
On the pathway towards the DBA, candidates may additionally acquire the diploma Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) International Management, awarded by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

More information

This joint DBA program is unique in Switzerland, because 
(a) DBA candidates will study together with international peers; 
(b) DBA candidates will be taught and advised by international faculty and experts; 
(c) DBA candidates will be individually taken care of on their pathway towards the doctorate; 
(d) DBA candidates will be able to complete their doctorate while working; 
(e) DBA candidates can join the program from across the globe, because program components are offered in a compact format, thereby limiting travel requirements; 
(f) DBA candidates can acquire the diploma MAS International Management while completing the DBA;
(g) the program can be attended in English throughout, inviting DBA candidates from across the globe.
Thereby, our joint DBA program offers an exclusive opportunity to acquire relevant methods for a successful impact in your international management and leadership context, with the fitting support system in place. 
Is this an option for you? We would love to hear your questions and ideas. Reach out to us – we are happy to consult with you individually!

Teaser Course Structure

Course Structure
Teaser Whar are MAS and DBA Degrees

What is a DBA Degree?
Teaser Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements
Teaser Dates and Venues

Dates and Venues
Teaserbild Individuelle Betreuung

Individual Coaching throughout
Teaser Entry Requirements

Admission Process and Program Costs
Personen mit Laptop an einem Schreibtisch

Admission Board
Teaser FAQ

FAQ

Facts

End

Modular

Application deadline

March 31, 2025

Course costs

See sub-section 'Admission Process and Program Costs'

Head
Degree

The Doctor of Business Administration DBA is awarded by Silpakorn University. This title is protected and officially accredited by the Thai Ministry of Education. Graduates are entitled to use the “Dr” prefix with their names in Switzerland with an additional reference to the awarding entity (For more information about the recognition of foreign degrees in Switzerland, see sub-section ‘What is a DBA Degree?’). The Master of Advanced Studies in International Management – which may be acquired additionally – is awarded by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. This title is nationally protected under the regulations of the ‘Swiss Center of Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education’ in conjunction with the Central Swiss University of Applied Sciences and the academic regulations of continuing education programs at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

Type

DBA

Target group

Executives, entrepreneurs, and practice-oriented academics with and without prior business management education who

  • aim to develop their professional competences and their methodological and problem-solving skills in order to master the complex international and intercultural contexts of their professional lives competently and confidently,
  • want to operate competently and effectively in an increasingly global and connected world,
  • strive for a leadership position in which they can shape the international mindset of an organization, 
  • and who have the required entry qualifications (see section ‘Entry Requirements’).
Provider(s)

Business
Institute of Business and Regional Economics IBR
CC Business Development, Leadership and HR

External partner(s)

Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Switzerland Global Enterprise (MAS), Zurich, Switzerland

Quality

The two partner institutions, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Silpakorn University, are two nationally and internationally accredited institutes of higher education, known and respected for the high quality of their teaching and research and their decades of success in professional education.

The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts is institutionally accredited according to the Higher Education Funding and Coordination Act HEdA. The School of Business is international accredited with AACSB. 

Silpakorn University is considered and ranked as one of the premier state universities of Thailand and Southeast Asia. The University is renowned for its high-quality and fully accredited bachelor, master, and doctorate degree programs. The DBA program has been fully reviewed and certified by the Thai Ministry of Education.

Remarks

The DBA takes three to a maximum of five years. Over the course of this timespan, you will earn 65 ECTS at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (which are counted towards you DBA degree at Silpakorn University) plus 48 American Credits at Silpakorn University (1 American Credit is equivalent to 2 ECTS).

More Information