DBA — Doctorate of Business Administration

The DBA is a professional doctorate: it aims at applying research to real business issues, whereas the PhD is more academic. Both confer the title of Doctor.

Yes, the 100% distance format and the 36-month pace are designed for active leaders.

In French or English depending on your profile and research topic.

The DBA targets active leaders, senior executives, and entrepreneurs with at least five years of experience and a managerial or leadership position. It requires a degree of Bac+5 (Master, MBA or equivalent) and a research project rooted in your organisation. This programme is designed for experienced practitioners who wish to conceptualise their field experience without interrupting their professional activity.

The DBA enhances access to general management roles, board consulting, and high-level strategic expertise: C-level positions, business unit management, consulting, and transformation oversight. It also legitimises activities as a senior consultant, trainer, and higher education speaker, thanks to the production of recognised applied research. More than just a title, it consolidates your authority as a decision-maker through an original contribution to your sector.

The programme is accredited by MQA UK and is based on the IAF, PECB, ASIC, and IAS reference frameworks, which are guarantees of academic quality recognised beyond borders. This accreditation ensures the visibility of your degree to employers, institutions, and international partners, particularly in Morocco and French-speaking Africa. The DBA represents the highest level of managerial qualification in our University catalogue.

Admission requires a Bac+5 degree, at least five years of experience, a managerial or leadership role, and a research project related to your activity. The process consists of four steps: submission of the application (CV and cover letter), interview regarding your research project, admission decision, and then registration. If you do not yet have a formal Bac+5, a pathway is possible through a Master obtained via validation of prior learning (VAE) before applying for the DBA.

The DBA is 100% distance learning and spans 36 months, with two intakes per year to accommodate the schedules of working leaders. The first year lays the methodological foundations (epistemology, quantitative and qualitative methods, literature review); the second year is dedicated to applied research and doctoral seminars; the third year focuses on finalising the thesis and the defence. You benefit throughout the course from individualised research supervision, with regular check-ins with your research supervisor.

Six areas structure the programme: strategy and governance, operational excellence, finance and investment, QHSE and sustainable development, digital transformation, leadership and human resources. Your professional thesis addresses a real issue within your organisation, making the research directly useful to your practice as a leader. This applied research format distinguishes the DBA from a purely theoretical doctorate.

Evaluation is continuous throughout the programme: methodological deliverables, participation in doctoral seminars, progressive writing of chapters, and check-ins with your research supervisor. The programme concludes with a pre-defence, followed by the defence of the professional thesis before an international jury. The quality and originality of your applied contribution constitute the core of the evaluation.

The 100% remote format and personalised support make the DBA accessible to executives in Morocco and across Francophone Africa, without leaving their positions or relocating. You benefit from MQA UK accreditation and the TargetUp expertise ecosystem (Lean Six Sigma, ISO certifications, ESG-CSR, digital transformation), which fosters research grounded in the realities of African organisations. The 1:1 support and defence before an international jury provide a demanding framework and a high-level network.