Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
Overview
AIT-SOM is offering a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) for senior professional managers/administrators. The DBA program is intended to create a body of knowledge embedded in practice.
SOM’s DBA program is intended to provide further preparation skills for working professionals to re-enter industry upon graduation. Both educational qualifications and work experience are taken into consideration for admission to the DBA program. A master’s degree prior to entry to the DBA is preferred. However, if one does not have a master’s degree prior to entry to the DBA, eligibility will be based on their professional experience and equivalent qualifications.
The ultimate academic objective of SOM’s DBA program is to develop and disseminate “grounded” theories based on Asian business practices including developing case studies and industry analyses.
Outstanding values
- DBA degree is recognized internationally and by The Ministry of Education and Training in Vietnam (MOET).
- The curriculum is highly practical and applicable.
- Flexible studying schedule at weekends.
- Learning method is modern and flexible experience sharing with international executives & faculty.
Program
- First year DBA Program Structure: Six doctoral level research methodology courses (total of 22.5 hours per course), delivered online and/or in person in downtown campuses:
- Course 1: Approaches of qualitative research
- Course 2: Methods of qualitative research
- Course 3: Foundations of management research
- Course 4: Management research methods and writing
- Course 5: Data strategies & hypotheses testing
- Course 6: Building models that link to theory
- Two electives (6 credits)
Knowledge Building Courses (Elective courses): Students can select a total of six credits from the School of Management.
Special Study: Toward the end of their coursework, DBA students take a research specialization study of 3 credits. The student works with his/her supervisor on a topic of interest. It will be tailor-made to the student’s research focus and require understanding and a critical review of the theories and research in the field of specialization. The student will be required to prepare a review paper (a report) based on published research.
Year 2-3: Dissertation:
The dissertation is self-study and does involve any formal coursework. Students are expected to meet with their supervisor and committee members regularly.
Tuition fee
The cost of the program is 25,000 USD (~656,125,000 VND) which includes registration fee, tuition fee, and course materials. The first instalment must be paid before course enrollment.
| Installment | Semester | Tuition fee (USD) | Tuition fee (VND) |
| Installment 1 | Semester I | 5,000 | 131,225,000 |
| Installment 2 | Semester II | 5,000 | 131,225,000 |
| Installment 3 | Semester III | 5,000 | 131,225,000 |
| Installment 4 | Semester IV | 5,000 | 131,225,000 |
| Installment 5 | Semester V | 5,000 | 131,225,000 |
| Total | 25,000 | 656,125,000 |
In case the candidate is not able to complete the degree within three years, fee per semester (expectedly 700 USD for extension fee) will be charged for each semester under extension.
The maximum time to study DBA is 5 years.
The exchange rate (1 USD = 26,245 VND) is only for reference.
Admission
Entry Requirements
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Completion of online DBA application.
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One recommendation letter is needed.
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Bachelor Degree: Completion of a four-year Bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution with strong academic records and submission of academic transcript and certificate of degree. It is recognized there is variation among grading systems in regions of the world. There is, however, a minimum of 2.75/4.0 GPA from the undergraduate degree
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Master’s Degree: A master’s degree from a recognized institution prior to entry to the DBA is preferred. However, if one does not have a master’s degree prior to entry to the DBA, eligibility will be based on their professional experience and equivalent qualifications. For those DBA students admitted without a master’s degree, additional coursework may normally be required.
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Work Experience: On average, our DBA students have more than 7-10 years of work experience.
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All candidates must have evidence of English proficiency (please see below for more details)
English Requirements
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The minimum requirement for doctoral applicants is 5.5 (minimum entry requirement).
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As a requirement for graduation, students must attain a score of 6.0 on the AIT English Writing or must successfully complete EL19.
Exemption: Applicants who are citizens of and have been educated in an English-speaking country (e.g., Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA) are exempted from score submission. Proof of citizenship and studies must be submitted.
Schedule
| Intake | 2025 |
| Application Deadline |
30/04/2025 (Hanoi) 31/03/2025 (HCMC) |
| English Entry Test | Every Tuesday |
| Opening | Ha Noi (June, 2025) | HCM (June, 2025) |
Contact
Ms. Lý Mai Hương
- M: +84 98 246 3311; Email: lymaihuong@aitcv.ac.vn
- 3rd Floor, DETECH Building, No.8 Ton That Thuyet Str., My Dinh II Ward, Nam Tu Liem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Ms. Đào Thanh Yến
- Mobile: +84 98 360 4487 Email: yendt@aitcv.ac.vn
- 6th Floor, FCC Building, 45 Dinh Tien Hoang Str, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
