Rural DBA emphasizes entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership
The University of West Alabama is set to launch its latest doctoral degree program with the rural doctorate of business administration, which has been approved by the university’s accrediting bodies, with classes beginning in August of this year.
The College of Business and Technology will offer the rural DBA with two tracks, rural entrepreneurship and innovation, and rural and transformational leadership. The program is the first of its kind in the nation and features relevant courses that focus on critical issues as well as strategies and solutions related to rural businesses globally.
The second doctoral program to be offered by UWA following the doctorate in rural education, the rural DBA was approved by Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) in June 2020, and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in November 2020.
The 60- to 66-credit hour program includes 36 credit hours of required basic courses, 12 credit hours in each emphasis area, and 12 dissertation hours. Currently, all classes will be delivered online, and a hybrid campus/online format may be used to deliver some courses.
The Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovation track is designed for business professionals or educators interested in creating solutions and new ideas for rural entrepreneurs and small business owners to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This track is also designed for the professionals who are considering higher education as a career or part-time employment.
The Rural and Transformational Leadership track is designed to develop effective rural leadership that is practical and capable of addressing multifaceted issues in rural areas. This track is also designed for the professional who is considering higher education as a career or part-time employment.
Applications are being accepted now for the fall semester, which begins August 16. More information on the program, including costs, times and eligibility, is available online at https://online.uwa.edu/online-degrees/dba-doctor-business-administration-rural-business/.