The Online DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) provided by Swiss School of Business and Management (SSBM) Geneva, Rushford Business School, and European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT) serves the common goal – to enlighten experienced business leaders with advanced applied research and decision-making skills to solve complex business challenges.
All of these private institutions are Swiss-based. They hold institutional accreditation and memberships with different authorised bodies. However, not any of them is accredited by the Swiss government directly. But that doesn’t affect their individual institutional standing and its trust.
For working professionals who don’t want to leave their current job in pursuit of an online terminal degree, choosing one of these institutions should be based on careful analysis of different parameters, including the followings –
- Are they accredited?
- Are they legal?
- How will I be guided for my dissertation?
- Are there lectures pre-recorded and self-paced?
- Are there mandatory live online sessions tied to specific time zones?
- What about total inclusive tuition fees? Do they cover thesis, retakes, library platform access?
The above-mentioned considerations are imperative based on how they can lead to a better understanding of which institution can serve your academic goals better. This is what the write-up tends to solve; giving you a crucial guided approach to make a wise decision when it comes to choosing SSBM, EIMT, or Rushford. But before I move ahead with my elaboration, let’s discuss something about them one by one.
Online DBA: Career pathways
- C-Suite and executive leadership roles like Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), or Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)
- Management and strategy consulting roles for corporate transformations, mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring.
- Leader in digital changes, process innovations and market expansions.
Online DBA: Expected salaries (USA)
- Salaries generally range from $100,000 to $250,000+ per year depending on the exact corporate tier and sector.
- For management and strategy consultants, salaries range from $140,000 to $220,000+ per year.
- For C-Suite executives (CEOs/CSOs), salaries range from $180,000 to $400,000+ per year in mid-to-large enterprises.
Online DBA: Expected salaries (Europe)
- Salaries generally range from €65,000 to €220,000+ per year. Country-wise salary variation is also a possibility. For example, salaries may be higher in Western Europe/UK and lower in Southern/Eastern Europe).
- Salaries for median senior-level and consulting are around £150,000 in the UK, and €80,000 to €220,000 in economic hubs like Germany and France.
Online DBA: EIMT
The European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT) is a Swiss-based private institution. It operates as one of the founding institutions of Euro American Education – a global higher education network for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. Achieving excellence in higher education constitutes the institutional integrity of EIMT.
EIMT is serving as a gateway to career-defining education for working professionals. It offers them 100% online DBA. Its online DBA programs focus on the holistic development of students’ skills and competencies essential for leadership roles in the dynamic landscape of global industries.
EIMT institutional accreditation status:
EIMT holds an official Accreditation from QAHE (International Association for Quality Assurance in Pre-Tertiary & Higher Education) through its parent organization, Euro American Education (EAE). As its founding institution, EIMT is automatically included within the scope of this Institutional accreditation.
EIMT institutional certifications & memberships:
- European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education (EURASHE).
- United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).
- Association for Transnational Higher Education Accreditation (ATHEA).
EIMT Online DBA: Program Highlights
- 36-Months Online Program.
- Specially Designed for Working Professionals.
- No GMAT/ GRE required.
- International Networking Opportunities.
- Highly Qualified Industry Experienced Faculties.
- Focused & Unique Curriculum.
- Dissertation based on a live organisational project.
- One-on-one mentorship for all educational goals.
Top reasons to earn EIMT-certified Online DBA:
- Relevant and unique curriculum that focuses on developing practical skills.
- Industry-experienced faculty imparting practice over pure theory.
- Practitioner-based project that focuses on solving real-world challenges within a professional setting.
- Doesn’t mandate GMAT or GRE scores unless obtaining scholarships
- Allows to use nine credits from a past doctoral program toward a new DBA.
- Allows students to put academic theories into real-world practices.
- Online classes are arranged in specific orders starting from foundation building.
Online DBA: Swiss School of Business and Management (SSBM) Geneva
The Swiss School of Business and Management Geneva (SSBM Geneva) is a world-renowned academic institution for business education. It offers cutting-edge technology and high-quality learning experience backed by research. This Geneva-headquartered business institution offers online DBA programs for working professionals seeking Swiss-quality education. These programs lean on building practical skills and real-world application of innovative solutions for modern business challenges.
A dedicated approach toward excellence and shaping the next generation of global leaders is what constitutes the institutional existence of SSBM Geneva being upheld through the highest standards of Swiss educational excellence. The institution boasts more than 10,000 alumni across the world, innovation, diversity, and academic rigor, all meant to build future-ready professionals.
SSBM Geneva institutional accreditation status:
- Accredited by ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs) for its Bachelor’s/MBA’s/DBA programs.
- The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- The British Accreditation Council (BAC)
SSBM Geneva institutional certifications and memberships
- EduQua certification
- Member of Federation for European Education (FEDE)
- AACSB membership
- Innova Educational Services (partnership)
SSBM Geneva Online DBA: Highlights
- Fully online learning model
- Course duration ranging from two to three years, carrying 120 ECTS credits.
- Practical, research-based doctoral program
- Accredited by ACBSP, CHEA
- Price-wise structured courses
- Mentorship throughout the research journey
- Dua DBA
- Swiss-quality education
- A wider network of alumni globally
- Ranked 69th by CEOWORLD Magazine’s Best Business School for 2024”
Top reasons to earn SSBM Geneva-certified Online DBA
- Earn the doctoral degree certified by EduQua and accredited by the ACBSP.
- 100% online learning designed for working professionals
- Intense focus on building practical problem-solving skills
- A doctoral business degree for career advancement and higher earning potential
- Opportunity to study alongside a multicultural cohort and faculty from over 138 countries
- 90% of SSBM Geneva students find jobs within three months of graduating from it.
- Ranked 69th by CEOWORLD Magazine for “Best Business Schools 2024”
- Provision of dual DBA degrees (for two years), so you can enrol in a single structured program and graduate with two recognised qualifications.
- Top-notch learning platform that guarantees Swiss quality education.
- Impactful business education by combining innovative learning technologies, research-driven learning and student-centered educational experience.
Online DBA: Rushford Business School
Rushford Business School is a Swiss-based private business and management institution. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, including MBAs, Master’s degrees, and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) courses.
As far as its DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) is concerned, it is 100% online, for the duration of 36 months, and carries 180 ECTS. Providing first-class education through world-leading, cutting-edge academics is what underscores the institutional standing of Rushford. The programs it offers stand in alignment with the applicable Swiss regulatory framework and are approved by the canton of Lucerne in the country.
Rushford institutional accreditation status
Rushford Business School is not institutionally accredited by any accrediting body. On its official website, it shows pending accreditation status with ACBSP.
Rushford institutional certifications and memberships
- Certified by EduQua
- 5 star QS Rating
- Membership with ACBSP, BGA, IACBE, UN PRME
Rushford Online DBA: Program Highlights
- Fully online.
- 36-month duration carrying 180 ECTS.
- Course-wise structured program.
- Flexible, and convenient online learning methodology.
- Self-paced programs including learning resources such as video lectures, reading materials, podcasts, simulations, and multiple choice test questions.
- Evidence-based learning, critical and reflecting learning approaches.
- Programs have built in instructor and peer support.
- Program content is delivered through our online Learning Management System (LMS).
Top reasons to earn Rushford Online DBA
- Fully online DBA that allows you to continue learning without leaving your current employment.
- Course-wise programs or focused study areas give you the flexibility to pursue your DBA in the field you like. For example, choose a DBA in Financial Management if you love analyzing business data and monetary management.
- Better career pathways and higher earning potentials
- Syllabus that focuses on practical case studies and applied research.
- Advanced research and dissertation, doctoral residency, global peer network, best for working professionals.
What should be your priorities before you enroll for an Online DBA?
Choosing an online DBA from a globally reputed institution, like EIMT, SSBM, and Rushford, or others is one of the unsolved conundrums faced by many working professionals and students alike.
Not only do you get stuck with the inundation of information available on the internet in this context, but you also happen to make mistakes, like not confirming accreditation or institutional branding of a specific institution. This is what you are going to learn in this guide.
Program Duration
This is one of the most important considerations when it comes to enrolling for an online DBA from a recognised institution. The reality is, these programs typically span for the duration of 3 to 5 years. The scores you need to obtain are institutionally different. Also, the timeline for course completion depends on whether you choose a structured, cohort-based track, or a self-paced format.
During the learning phase, the first two years will basically teach you advanced coursework that will include research methodologies, strategic management, and literature reviews. But this also depends on the institutional mandate.
For example, in the case of EIMT, the online DBA program of this institution covers modules like strategic financial management, developing research capabilities, entrepreneurship and innovation, etc. That’s about building foundation knowledge or skills for you.
The remaining years of your online DBA will focus on doctoral dissertation or research projects focusing on practical problem-solving skills relevant to address business challenges effectively.
Besides, you need to balance this multi-year time commitment for your study alongside your current employment. Build realistic scheduling and long-term career planning. They are very essential
Tuition and additional cost
Pursuing an online DBA or terminal degree is not an easy task. Just because it is online doesn’t mean the curriculum and study both go easy on you. You need to factor in tuition fees for your online DBA, as they vary depending on your institution’s reputation and location. You must understand that base tuition fees do not reflect the total financial investment in your online DBA.
Be careful of hidden costs, like mandatory residency fees, textbooks, academic journal subscriptions, and specialized statistical software licenses. Mandatory residency fees are also likely but they are not with institutions like EIMT, Rushford, or even SSBM Geneva. However, you need to get it clarified before enrolling.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements for EIMT, Rushford, and SSBM Geneva are almost the same for their respective online DBA programs. While you can verify this on your own, they are basically crucial details you can’t afford to overlook. In the context of EIMT, you require for admission the followings;
- Must have a recognised Master’s degree or EQF Level 7 full qualification with a minimum overall score of 55% (GPA 2.0 on a 4.0-point scale) or higher.
- Proficiency in English, demonstrated through TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent scores if the applicant’s first language is not English.
- A basic level of digital competence, including familiarity with computers, the internet and common software applications.
In the context of SSBM Geneva, admission requirements include the followings;
- MBA (or equivalent qualification) from a recognized higher education institution.
- A Master’s degree in management (or associated discipline) with a minimum of 2 years professional work experience.
- A Master’s degree in a field other than management (or related discipline) but with a minimum of 5 years professional work experience.
- Grade transcripts
- Your CV or resume
- ID or passport copy
- One photo
In the context of Rushford, Admission requirements for an online DBA include the followings;
- Master’s or an equivalent recognized academic title in Business and Management;
- Master’s or an equivalent recognized academic title in any discipline with over 5 years of managerial and/or business experience;
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent recognized academic title in any discipline with over 8 years of managerial and/or business experience.
Learning format and flexibility
Since you are opting for an online DBA, at least location-wise problems will not bother you. But you need to see whether the courses include synchronous elements, require real-time attendance for live webinars, or peer debates.
In addition, most premium online DBA programs may involve hybrid models, depending on the institution. Under the hybrid model, you need to factor in mandatory or optional residency weekends. In this writing, EIMT, Rushford, and SSBM Geneva provide online DBA, though their learning approaches are different respectively.
Faculty support
Pursuing an online doctoral degree and becoming successful in it depends on the quality and easy accessibility of faculty mentorship. While EIMT, Rushford, and SSBM Geneva claim such mentorships, you need to understand that the dissertation supervisor guides students’ research design, data analysis, and academic writing.
If you are a working professional who wants to enroll for an online doctoral program like DBA, check the academic credentials of the faculty of the specific institution. Besides, other elements you look into include published research, and corporate consulting experience. Ensure if they align with your career goals. Don’t forget to assess your institution’s communication infrastructure. Very important.
Accreditation status
This is one of the most important considerations you must take before enrolling for an online DBA at an institution. In our featured institutions for online DBA, both EIMT and SSBM Geneva are accredited. Rushford’s lack of accreditation may be an issue for working professionals and students keen about this, but the global reputation of this private institution doesn’t make it an issue for it.
Final Thoughts
EIMT, SSBM Geneva and Rushford are three of the famous institutions based in Switzerland. From institutional standing in terms of accreditation and certification to quality of learning and mentorship, they have their own distinctive reputations.
Choosing one of them for your ambitious online doctoral program may turn out to be a great decision, but you need to factor in your academic priorities and whether choosing one specific institution’s DBA aligns with your career objectives. A question like which institution affords Swiss-quality education may also come to your mind. Therefore, careful analysis is required before you come up with the right decision to choose an institution that can help you with the accredited doctoral degree you can use to advance your career.
