Kansas' only Doctor of Business Administration program features a unique dissertation-first approach, helping working professionals apply advanced leadership theories to solve real business challenges while maintaining their careers and family commitments. Learn more about Newman University's DBA program at: https://newmanu.edu/academics/dba-degree
-- In today's evolving business landscape, organizations face increasingly complex challenges that traditional leadership approaches often fail to address. Newman University's Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is responding by preparing professionals to apply research-driven leadership models to real-world business problems.
As Kansas' only DBA program, Newman University has developed a distinctive approach that enables working professionals to pursue doctoral education without sacrificing their careers or personal lives.
"We do doctoral programs different from about anybody else," says Program Director Dr. Larry Straub. "We build people up, we don't tear them down. We try to find that 'goldilock zone' where we push them, we force them, and we make them grow, but at the same time, they don't have to detach from their life."
Early Dissertation Focus Drives Practical Applications
Unlike traditional doctoral programs that typically separate coursework from dissertation research, Newman integrates dissertation development from the first day of the program. This approach allows students to immediately begin applying leadership models to problems they're passionate about solving.
"A lot of universities will tell you they'll put you through the courses and then they'll say, 'now go do your dissertation,'" explains Derrek Schartz, a recent graduate who now serves as an assistant professor at Texas State University. "And in this case, they started with, 'go do your dissertation, and we're going to walk you through this process, this journey.'"
This early research focus yields practical leadership applications that create immediate value for students and their organizations. Schartz's dissertation on motivating Gen Z salespeople illustrates this practical impact.
"What I found out was if I would've hired a Gen Z salesperson today, I would've compensated them incorrectly," Schartz reports. "I would've probably put them under the same plan that the millennial is under, the baby boomer, and said, 'here's the comp plan and, you know, go out there and be successful,' and that wouldn't have worked."
Diverse Professional Backgrounds Enhance Learning
The program deliberately brings together professionals from varied fields, creating a rich learning environment where diverse perspectives enhance understanding of leadership challenges.
"The thing I'm most proud of about this Doctor of Business Administration program is we have real wide ditches," notes Dr. Straub. "We've got people in so many different professions and majors from social work to data analytics, to business, to hospitals, to entrepreneurs."
This diversity creates unique opportunities for cross-industry application of leadership models. A solution that works in healthcare might be adapted for data analytics, or approaches from the nonprofit sector might inform corporate strategies.
Hybrid Model Supports Work-Life Balance
Newman's DBA program uses a hybrid delivery model combining online learning with occasional in-person sessions. This flexibility is crucial for working professionals balancing demanding careers, family responsibilities, and doctoral studies.
"You can do it part-time. You don't have to go full-time, like a lot of programs once you want to do, and you can be remote," explains Schartz, who completed his degree while teaching in Texas. "I'm in San Marcos and we do some zoom calls. I come here a couple times a year."
The program also offers fellowship grants of up to $3,200 per year for qualifying students and includes a specialized track for "All But Dissertation" (ABD) students who have completed doctoral coursework elsewhere but stalled in the dissertation phase.
Measurable Career Outcomes
For many graduates, the DBA creates significant career opportunities. "It allowed me to get the current job I have," says Schartz. "Right now, I'm an assistant professor of instruction in Texas State University. Also the assistant director of the Center for Professional Sales."
Beyond individual career advancement, DBA research often catalyzes broader organizational transformation. By uncovering new approaches to leadership challenges—such as motivating younger employees or breaking down organizational silos—graduates develop frameworks that can transform leadership practices across entire organizations and industries.
"I thought I knew a lot. Now, I know, I don't know as much as I thought I knew," reflects Schartz. "I've learned a lot both in the curriculum, in my research. It's really changed my perspective in my career."
For business professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities through research-informed approaches, Newman University's program offers a supportive path to doctoral education that doesn't require sacrificing career or family commitments. More information is available at Newman University's website.
This article is based on interviews with Newman University DBA Program Director Dr. Larry Straub and program graduates, examining how doctoral business education prepares leaders to apply research-driven solutions to complex organizational challenges.
Contact Info:
Name: Clark Schafer
Email: Send Email
Organization: Newman University
Address: 3100 McCormick , Wichita, Kansas 67213, United States
Website: https://newmanu.edu/
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89157995
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