Ah, the dreaded dissertation… perhaps the very thought of writing one is enough to deter some people from earning their doctorate degree but don’t let it keep you from meeting your educational goals. You might even enjoy the challenge. As the dissertation will, most likely, be a requirement, it can be a very important part of your online Doctorate degree in Business Administration program and can be an important step in a successful career.
Throughout your doctorate degree program, your preparation will lead up to your dissertation requirements usually through some structure outlined in your program. You may also have faculty that will mentor you during the process. This is your opportunity to shine!
Typically, a thesis is completed at the master’s degree level and a dissertation is done at the doctorate degree level. Some master’s programs do not require a thesis, however, it will give you an advantage going into a doctorate program so, if given a choice, write a thesis because it will give you some experience in creating a large body of work that will help you succeed in your doctorate program.
Although similar, a thesis and a dissertation are a little different. In fact, the two terms are often used interchangeably, since they are both extensive papers done over a long period of time. A thesis is written to prove the student’s understanding of their chosen field of study, while a dissertation is based on original research completed by the student. They must create their own subject matter that has not been previously researched or published. Then a hypothesis must be concluded with research to back it up or disprove it.
While earning your online Doctorate degree in Business Administration, you will have plenty of time to think about what you would like your dissertation to be about. You may want to consider areas of finance and accounting, human resources, information technology, business accountability, taxation, global business practices, marketing or the effects of social entrepreneurship.
You may be wondering how many pages a dissertation consists of. It varies greatly, however, the average may be approximately 100 – 200 pages or more and possibly between 40,000 – 80,000 words. Your paper may include tables, footnotes and appendices, as well. But what truly matters, is the content. Your mentor will advise you on the school policy regarding your dissertation and other specific requirements.
Generally, your topic must be reviewed in front of a dissertation committee. They will ask you to defend your work and will analyze your process of identifying a problem while suggesting an innovative way to correct it. The satisfactory completion of this task will earn you your degree!
Completing the doctoral dissertation process will be one of the most important and arduous tasks of your academic career, however, nothing else will leave you with such a feeling of accomplishment and success as achieving a doctoral degree. It’s worth the time, energy and effort you will have to put forth!
If you are interested in this field, check out our choices for the Top 20 Online Doctor of Business Administration Programs.