The Doctor of Philosophy in 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 provides Learners with application of a broad accounting perspective and research based accounting knowledge, enabling the exploration of relationships among business activities, economic outcomes, business performance and forensic analysis. Learners will be able to meet the demand for advanced analysis of management and organization of business transactions and statements related to the assets, liabilities, and operating results of business enterprises, non-profit organizations, and higher education instruction.
Research and development is at the forefront of rapid changes in technology. To maintain a competitive edge, business and research institutions look for leaders who possess advanced knowledge of contemporary computer science methods. This specialization provides preparation for professional careers emphasizing research and development leadership and technology.
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 developing best practices for 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.
This specialization explores research in the dynamics connecting distinct legal traditions and codes operating within 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, corrections, teaching or private consulting fields.
This specialization provides research and development 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.
This specialization concentrates on research and development analyses used to manage and allocate financial resources and develop effective strategic planning for projection and ROI issues. Learners will analyze financial and non-financial organizations - private, public, and corporate. The specialization focuses on international financial issues, quality concepts in financial management, and accounting for profit/nonprofit organizations.
This specialization develops essential perspectives and skills for application of theoretical and research-based health care industry management issues. The specialization prepares Learners for problem identification and resolution, analysis and intervention as administrative issues, and recognition of the constraints and limitations to intervention and change in delivery systems. Learners in this specialization will focus on strategic planning in health care and managed systems, comparative health care system analysis, and examine strategies related to total quality management in health care.
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 business organization. Learners research theory and practice for HRM information systems, compensation and staffing strategies, training and professional development, cultural diversity, innovation, labor relations, and legal issues in HRM.
This specialization explores the application of industrial and organizational psychology and management theory to the understanding of people in the world of work. In this interdisciplinary specialization, Learners complete courses in the School of Business and the School of Behavioral and Health Sciences in order to develop competencies in theory, research, and applications of psychology related to human behavior in organizations. Learners conduct advanced research related to the application of organizational and psychological theory to human resource management.
This specialization focuses theory and research of business practices in 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 research techniques in cross-disciplinary 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.
This specialization provides a conceptual overview of modern theory and practice in business management and administration. Learners explore theory and research historical frameworks in today’s global business environment through management research projects. This specialization will prepare Learners for senior management positions in a corporate environment, higher education, government and public entities, and business consulting.
This specialization focuses on integrating practical technical experience with management theory and research. This specialization focuses on the synergism between technology and business practices to improve organizational outcomes. Research projects provide in-depth analysis of principles of productivity, quality management, productivity using technology, and environmental systems management. .
This specialization combines and applies the components of both computer systems and management disciplines. The focus is using LAN/WAN/Database systems to enhance the management process and business outcomes, applying contemporary research and current theories in the MIS field.
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 and research theory.
This specialization serves to enhance the understanding and practice of organizational leadership using an interdisciplinary approach between business and education theory and research. The focus of this specialization is to provide the Learner with a theoretical research approach to strategic planning in all phases of organizational leadership including building organization capacity and sustainability. This interdisciplinary specialization appeals to professionals in business administration, human resources, non-profit administration, and related fields, whose professional goal may be organizational consulting or a senior leadership position in corporate, government, not-for-profit, educational or community organizations.
This specialization serves to enhance the understanding and practice of organizational leadership using an interdisciplinary approach between business and education theory and research. The focus of this specialization is to provide the Learner with a theoretical research approach to strategic planning in all phases of organizational leadership including building organization capacity and sustainability. This interdisciplinary specialization appeals to professionals in business administration, human resources, non-profit administration, and related fields, whose professional goal may be organizational consulting or a senior leadership position in corporate, government, not-for-profit, educational or community organizations.
This specialization focuses on research related to government and public agency budgeting, government relations, public personnel policy management, political systems, and urban planning. Curriculum emphasizes strategic planning including contemporary program evaluation, complex public organizations, and environmental compliance, along with strategies needed to meet the challenges in government management at the local, state and federal levels.