Be a leader, not a follower. 

The Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) is a comprehensive business administration program designed to give you  the practical knowledge and skills required for professional success. You'll learn business administration, business writing, management computing, financial accounting, marketing, small business management, international business and more.

If you're planning to come to Canada to study with us, please review the information related to international students.

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Description

Courses and fees

Application information

Program at a glance

Program description

The Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) program is designed to enable non-business degree graduates and learners with professional experience to pursue studies for career or professional development needs. The DBA also allows graduates to complete bridging programs designed to satisfy professional organization accreditation.

Full-time students may complete their DBA in 12 to 16 months by completing the CBA – Fast Track program in their first term of study. Find the right business program to suit your needs with our helpful comparison chart.

Accredited by

CIM logo

Our business programs allow you to become certified with the CIM (Certified in Management) professional designation.

Courses can be completed in a variety of formats:

COURSE FORMAT DETAILS
Face to face

Each course is normally 13 weeks in duration and consists of one three-hour class per week. Classes are customarily held on campus on weekdays from 7 to 10 pm in the Fall (September) and Winter (January) terms.  A more limited selection of course topics may be offered during the Summer (May) term. Please note that course schedules may vary, depending on class format and location.
Online

Many DBA program courses may also be completed online. There is a textbook and/or readings package required for a course. Students login to the course and communicate with the instructor and fellow students via the course management system Moodle. View Moodle Computer Requirements. All assignments and course activities will be submitted electronically to the course instructor.

Intensive courses

Students may also select daytime, on-campus, intensive courses for additional subject options each term.

Program outcomes

Students who complete the DBA program will:

  • Understand how the various functional business units integrate for success
  • Use decision-making and problem-solving frameworks to address, implement and evaluate initiatives in line with strategic goals
  • Apply effective professional communication skills in a variety of mediums with groups and individuals
  • Articulate and analyze effective business strategies in a variety of contexts
  • Understand and apply foundational leadership skills, in both informal and formal settings, to effectively support and lead teams and individuals
  • Evaluate and apply global and ethical perspectives to business strategies and operations
  • Develop and use effective skills, knowledge and competencies in a variety of specialized and functional business disciplines

Who is this program for?

The DBA program will be of value to you if:

  • you’re looking to enhance your career or professional development needs
  • you’re a graduate of the Certificate in Business Administration (CBA) program and want further knowledge and credentials in business and management

Career options

Some of our learners pursue careers in the following roles:
  • Small Business Owner/Manager
  • Government Manager/Director (Provincial/Federal)
  • Consultant
  • University Administrator
  • Restaurant/Hotel/Retail Manager
  • Police/Fire Department Administrator

Instructors

News and resources

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VIEW SCHEDULE: Upcoming DBA courses

Courses and fees

The DBA program requires the completion of 14 courses. This includes eight courses that are part of the Certificate in Business Administration (CBA) program, plus an additional six courses. Please contact our office for help with course selection.

Please note: Computing Concepts may be taken in place of Management Computing. Only one of these two courses may count towards the diploma.

Restrictions: A maximum of three courses with TEC or BIDA course codes can be taken as DBA electives.

Courses open for registration

Three (3) required courses
A minimum of Five (5) courses below
Plus Six (6) electives below
Apply online Apply now

Program planning

The length of the program varies depending on how many courses you take per term. On average, students complete the program in two years full-time or four years part-time. 

A different selection of courses are offered every term. To see our upcoming offerings, please view our anticipated course schedule. To assist in your program planning, you can also view all course descriptions. 

Graduation information

For students that have completed the program, graduation forms are available: Online form | PDF

Estimated fees

Full-time Canadian students International students
Full-time program application fee (non-refundable) $150.00 $300.00
Program deposit (due upon application) -- $300.00
Tuition (includes deposit, if applicable) $8,330.00

$11,130.00
Student fees $1,805.00 $3,180.00
Textbook costs (estimated) $1,750.00 $1,750.00
Estimated Total $12,035.00* $16,360.00*
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fees listed in this section are an estimate for the full two-year program. Total program fees may vary depending on delivery format, tuition rate, course selections, student fees, textbooks and taxes.
Part-time     Canadian students International students
Part-time program application fee (non-refundable) $150.00 $300.00
Program deposit (due upon application) -- $300.00
Tuition per course $595.00 $795.00
Textbook per course (estimated) $125.00 $125.00
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fees listed in this section are an estimate. Total program fees may vary depending on delivery format, tuition rate, course selections, student fees, textbooks and taxes.

Application information

Admission requirements

To qualify for the DBA program, candidates are required to have a minimum of high school completion and two years of professional, full-time work experience (or educational equivalent). 

It is recommended that candidates for the DBA program consult with program staff prior to enrolling in courses to ensure that their planned selections will satisfy the diploma program requirements.

If your first language is not English, you will be asked to provide evidence of proficiency through the submission of an IELTS (Academic) score of minimum 6.0 (with no component less than 5.5), TOEFL score of 550 (79 Internet Based TOEFL), completion of the UVic English Language Centre's ELPI 570 level, or equivalent level through one of our English pathway partners.

Advanced standing

Students may transfer up to three courses from UVic credit programs or from other colleges and universities, providing the course content and requirements closely match the certificate courses.

To obtain advanced standing, send a written request for consideration of advanced standing (along with course outlines) to the program director and arrange to have official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to Business and Management Programs. Request for Advanced Standing (PDF)

Note: There is a transfer credit fee of CAD $150

Policies

For more information about fees, processes and requirements, please visit the Business and Management Programs policies page.

How to apply

Students may apply by completing the PDF or online program application forms. Students must also submit required supplementary documents such as transcripts, resumes, letters and/or record of English fluency by mail or email.

Application dates

Starting in
May 2021
Availability
Accepting Applications
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Ongoing
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Starting in
September 2021
Availability
Accepting Applications
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Ongoing
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Starting in
January 2022
Availability
Accepting Applications
Apply by
Ongoing
Apply online Apply now

Questions?

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RELATED TOPICS: Business, Management and Leadership

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