The IE DBA is a blended part-time program that takes minimum three years.
The first part (one and a half years) is mainly devoted to coursework,
while the second part (a further one and a half years) is devoted to
supervised research and the dissertation.
Throughout the program,
participants have the opportunity to take "blended" sessions (a blend of
face-to-face and online learning). It involves three two-week presential
periods at the beginning of the three first semesters, and three on-line
periods. A maximum of 10 students will be admitted each year. Participants
attend on-line sessions using an interactive asynchronous dialog platform,
open 24 hours a day and moderated by an IE professor. Participants log in
at their convenience and participate in live discussions with the
professor and fellow classmates.
FIRST PERIOD
Coursework
Period. This period includes the study of fundamental disciplines from
which management research draws to provide students with a variety of
theoretical backgrounds and which help them crystallize their research
interests. During this period students will take methodological courses to
develop their quantitative and analytical skills, including a full range
of methodologies: field research, case studies, simulations and
experimental research.
The academic year begins in early October
and is divided into two semesters of sixteen weeks each. The time chart
shows how courses are typically organized through the first and second
semester. The summer will be dedicated to research.
Throughout
the first year and a half students will complete a total of 13 PhD courses
- 8 core or fundamental, 4 methodological and 4 dedicated to independent
studies. These courses are designed to build the kind of research skills
that are critical to the development of a high-caliber management scholar,
able to create solid research as the basis for excellence in teaching and
the improvement of management practices. On the successful completion of
this period students will undergo a comprehensive exam that will qualify
them to start their dissertation preparation.
SECOND
PERIOD
The second period is dedicated to research. Although the
full research period begins at the end of the first year and a half,
students are encouraged to be actively involved in research activities
with faculty members from the outset. Each student will be assigned a
faculty member who will supervise research activities.
The last
semesters of the second and third year are used to work formally on
research leading to the student's doctoral dissertation. The program is
completed after successful submission and defense of the dissertation.
