The Doctor of Business Administration is offered by NCU in 20 areas of specialization. These specializations were
developed so our Learners could elect to focus in depth on a particular aspect of the Business discipline. Learners who complete
18 semester credit hours in an area of specialization may have that specialization recorded
on their diplomas. The specializations are:
This specialization is designed to provide Learners with practical application of a broad accounting perspective and technical accounting knowledge, enabling the exploration of relationships among business activities, economic outcomes, and business performance. Learners will be able to meet the demand for analyzing advanced management and organization of business transactions and statements related to the assets, liabilities, and operating results of a business.
Due to continuous, rapid changes in technology, business institutions look for leaders who possess advanced knowledge of contemporary applied computer science methods. The Corporation Information Officer (CIO) is an example of a new executive role that has emerged as a result of this growth, requiring specialized advanced education in the information technology field. This specialization is designed to provide preparation for professional careers with an emphasis in both leadership and technology. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
The rise in asymmetric threats from terrorist organizations and increased commercial espionage creates the need for a disciplined approach to corporate infrastructure security and facility protection that is greater than ever. This specialization examines the vulnerabilities that can be exploited in businesses and on college campuses, from requirements for site security to dormitory access. The course will further explore communications alternatives needed for mass notification and those issues that need to be included in security event response. The curriculum focuses on developing higher competencies required of senior private security officers and managers with senior security management responsibilities. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization introduces productive research designs for business enterprise applications. The focus of this specialization is the study of appropriate analyses for resolving specific research questions. The specialization covers the practical application of theoretical, computational, and interpretive issues of multivariate exploratory and inferential statistical procedures using computer applications. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization responds to the demand in business and industry for computer security professionals who are trained in cyber-terrorism, computer forensics and computer security. The specialization focuses on best practices involved in forensic investigations and evidence handling, federal and state privacy, intellectual property, search and seizure process, and cyber-crime laws. Learners study current techniques in data preservation, identification, and extraction and perform forensic analysis of systems using popular examination toolkits. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization explores the global multicultural network connecting distinct legal traditions and codes operating within a worldwide venue. Learners will evaluate the coordination efforts of local, State, Federal, and multinational organizations and international resources at home and abroad. This specialization focuses on developing advanced competencies required for leadership positions in criminal justice, law enforcement, teaching or private consulting fields. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization provides practical skills and leadership approaches for conducting business on the Internet and/or the World Wide Web. This specialization focuses on analysis and business application of electronic and web-based commerce strategies for electronic commerce applications and marketing modalities needed to develop competent web-based business entities. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization concentrates on developing essential skills needed to manage and allocate financial resources. Learners will analyze financial and non-financial organizations - private, public, religious, and corporate. The specialization focuses on international financial issues, quality concepts in financial management, and accounting for profit/nonprofit organizations. Learners will complete a final written research project demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a workplace problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization develops essential managerial perspectives and skills for managerial expertise for the health care industry. The specialization prepares health care administrators in problem identification and resolution, analysis and intervention as administrative issues, and recognition of the constraints and limitations to intervention and change. Learners in this specialization will focus on strategic planning in health care and managed systems, conduct a comparative health care system analysis, and examine strategies as it relates to total quality management in health care. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization prepares senior leaders of public administration, law enforcement, public safety, and emergency medical care
and disaster preparedness agencies for executive leadership positions in the field of homeland security. This specialization focuses
on rigorous research exploring advanced concepts and methods, and applying theory and emerging concepts through innovative approaches
to complex problems. Learners may choose from a variety of courses in terrorism, strategy, intelligence, emergency management,
and critical infrastructure security issues.
This specialization explores the interrelationships between human resource capital, leadership, and the business organization. This specialization focuses on HRM Information Systems, compensation and staffing strategies, training and professional development, cultural diversity, innovation, labor relations, and legal issues in HRM. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization explores the practical application of industrial and organizational psychology to the understanding of people in the world of work. In this interdisciplinary specialization, Learners in the DBA program also complete courses in the School of Psychology in order to develop competencies in theory, research, and applications of psychology related to human behavior in organizations. Learners conduct basic and applied research related to the applications of organizational and psychological theory to human resource management. Learners will complete a final written research project (through business), demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization focuses on the essential elements required to understand and manage multi-national and international organizations. Learners interested in international management positions and/or teaching in post-secondary institutions of higher education at home and abroad benefit from this specialization. The specialization provides Learners with comprehensive education and training in interdisciplinary subjects of management, law, government, diplomacy, international studies, economics, finance, and marketing. Learners study international business theory, advanced qualitative and quantitative research, and problem-solving techniques related to international law, economics, marketing, and global strategic planning. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization provides a conceptual overview of modern theory and practice in business administration. Learners explore theory and historical frameworks to business in today’s global environment through multiple management processes, based on the curriculum selected. This specialization will prepare Learners for senior management positions in a corporate environment, higher education, government and public entities, and business consulting. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization combines and applies the best components of both computer systems and management disciplines. The specialization focuses on management of LAN/WAN/Database computer information systems to enhance the management decision making process and enterprise business outcomes. Learners are prepared for careers in network and systems management. Learners complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization focuses on integrating practical technical experience with management theory and practice. Focusing on technical expertise in a management environment, the curriculum provides understanding of the synergism between technology and business practices to improve organizational outcomes through awareness of principles of productivity, quality management, improving productivity through technology, and environmental systems management. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization focuses on marketing management and research including managing the entire scope of product life cycle for domestic and international marketing. The specialization provides strategies for a sound, systematic, ethical, and legal approach to contemporary marketing practices. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization serves to enhance the understanding and practice of organizational leadership using an interdisciplinary approach between business and education theory and research. This interdisciplinary specialization has broad appeal among practicing professionals (middle and upper management, and military personnel) with a background in business administration, human resources, non-profit administration, and related fields, whose professional goal may be organizational consulting or a generalist leadership position in corporate, government, not-for-profit, educational or community organizations. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization explores principles, concepts, tools, and techniques to improve project performance and organizational effectiveness. Learners examine all aspects of managing and overseeing business projects, including cost estimates, budget management, cost control, risk assessment, bid negotiation and contracts, and performance reporting critical to the success of any enterprise. The specialization focuses on management, leadership and team building in the project/program environment. Learners will examine strategies relating to managing multiple projects as well as the concepts of earned value project management. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.
This specialization focuses on acquiring administrative knowledge and skills in government and public agency budgeting, government relations, public personnel policy management, politics, and urban planning. Curriculum emphasizes contemporary program evaluation, complex public organization, and environmental compliance, along with strategies needed to meet the challenges in government management at the local, state and federal levels. Learners will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a work place problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action.