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Applied Computer Science
Due to continuous, rapid changes in technology, business institutions look for leaders who possess advanced knowledge of contemporary applied computer science methods. The Applied Computer Science specialization is designed to help you acquire the knowledge and skills that will improve your ability to lead, manage and direct diverse and challenging technical projects throughout the global marketplace. You will explore contemporary technical practices, systems and applications, such as database software, management information systems, network architecture, programming and software engineering. You will also examine case studies and real-world applications of how investing in technology can have a major impact on an organization's financial returns. As a graduate, you might choose to pursue professional careers that emphasize leadership and technology.
General Degree Requirements
Admission to the DBA program requires a master's degree from an accredited institution.
The DBA program may be completed in 54 credits. The University may accept a maximum of 9 semester credit hours in transfer toward the doctoral degree for graduate coursework completed at an accredited college or university with a grade of "B" or better.
Completion Period for Doctoral Degrees
Northcentral University allows 7 years to complete all doctoral programs of 60 credits or less. Normal time to complete varies depending upon course take rate and credits transferred in.
Foundational Competencies for DBA Programs
- Graduate-Level Research Methods Competency - DBA students are required to complete BTM7102 and BTM7103, BTM7109 and either BTM7108 or BTM7106 at Northcentral.
- Graduate-Level Statistics Competency - DBA students are required to complete BTM7104 Business Statistics at Northcentral.
- Computer Competency - Doctoral students are required to have computer skills necessary for completing a dissertation. Students must be able to prepare documents using advanced word processing skills (e.g., creation of tables and figures, headers and footers, page breaks, tables of contents, hanging indents). Students must use computer programs for the statistical analysis of data (e.g., SAS). Students must produce a computer-based presentation (e.g., PowerPoint) for their dissertation oral presentation.
Course Length
All new students enrolling in the Doctor of Business Administration program are automatically enrolled in courses that are eight weeks in length. All eight-week courses are indicated by a "-8" (dash eight) at the end of the course code.
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
Specialization Course 1 | ||
BTM7102, BTM7102-8 | Business Research Methodology | This Doctoral level course provides students with an overview of the research process, and an opportunity to learn about business research methodology and the components of a dissertation. The course will also provide the student with the opportunity to identify and develop a research topic, define a research problem, describe the purpose of the research study, and establish associated research question(s). The student will prepare a Topic Paper and a preliminary annotated bibliography for the dissertation topic in the Signature Assignment. |
Specialization Course 2 | ||
BTM7103, BTM7103-8 | Research Design | In this course, the Student acquires the basic skills necessary for the interpretation and application of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. The student will examine the formal research process carefully, with an emphasis on practical applications and skill development. Critical concepts and principles intrinsic to research paradigms, study designs, and methods of inquiry are presented to empower the students ability to formulate and respond to research questions. The resources listed below from the Northcentral University Dissertation Center are critical resources throughout the whole research process students are highly encouraged to become deeply familiar with the resources from the Northcentral University Dissertation Center. |
Specialization Course 3 | ||
Specialization Course 4 | ||
BTM7106, BTM7106-8 | Quantitative Research Design | Quantitative Research Design - Prerequisites :BTM7102, BTM7104 A few months prior to this course, students must consult with their Academic Advisors to consider whether the alternate course on Qualitative Research Design (BTM7108/BTM7108-8) might better suit their plans for a dissertation. This course is an examination of qualitative methods for studying human behavior including grounded theory, narrative analysis, ethnography, mixed methods, and case studies. |
Specialization Course 5 | ||
BTM7109, BTM7109-8 | Planning Dissertation Research in Business | Students in this course will begin the process of writing a dissertation for a research or professional doctorate. The course will address the University dissertation process and aids to successfully complete a dissertation, including self-care and time management. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
BTM7101, BTM7101-8 | Foundations for Doctoral Study In Business | This course is an orientation to Northcentral University and to the essential skills needed to pursue a doctoral degree in Business. Doctoral level skills, such as academic integrity, time management, effective use of the Northcentral Library, comprehending complex scholarly texts and research articles, and APA form and style in professional communication are also introduced. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of personal goals, strengths, and challenges, and a roadmap to navigate their way to completion of their educational aspirations. |
MGT7019, MGT7019-8 | Ethics in Business | No longer are ethics and social responsibility, including the green movement, something organizations can ignore or do "if they have funding left over at the end of the year. Ethics are required by local, state and federal legislation and today, more than ever, stakeholders at organizations are being held accountable for their actions and societal harm. Doctoral students in this course, through a series of essays and papers, will learn about current laws and their application to business; and how to maintain an ethical perspective within the context of a global framework. |
SKS7000, SKS7000-8 | Doctoral Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies | Students will analyze and apply knowledge in 12 business areas necessary to address a wide variety of business-related situations. The focus of the course is demonstrating core proficiencies in the following business areas: Marketing, Business Finance, Accounting, Management, Legal Environment of Business, Economics, Business Ethics, Global Dimensions of Business, Information Systems, Quantitative Techniques and Statistics, Leadership, and Business Applications. The intent is not to introduce these core business concepts, but rather to verify a graduate-level threshold competency within each. The course includes a comprehensive case study that will allow students to demonstrate their competency within all 12 professional component areas. |
BTM7104, BTM7104-8 | Statistics I | This course provides an introductory exploration of statistics for the doctoral student. It includes instruction on the calculation, use, and interpretation of descriptive statistics, and introduces inferential statistical analysis. The emphasis of this course is on providing a working knowledge of basic statistical concepts to help the Student understand statistical methodology used in education, and also more generally, developing a working knowledge of statistical usage in everyday life. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
CS7001-8 | C# Programming for Doctoral Research | Technology is a pervasive medium for advanced research, which results in the need for the ability to extend software applications to provide complementary research techniques. The Corporation Information Officer (CIO) is an example of a new executive role that has emerged as a result of this growth, requiring specialized advanced education in the Information Technology field. Students in this course would analyze, design, and develop programs in C# that can specifically be used for applications in business and research. Students will be evaluated on final research projects, and case studies of businesses who have written business applications using C++ programming to maximize returns. |
CS7002-8 | C++ Programming for Doctoral Research | Technology is a pervasive medium for business application development and for advanced research, which results in the need for the ability to extend software applications to provide complementary research techniques. The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is an example of a new executive role that has emerged as a result of this growth, requiring specialized advanced education in the Information Technology field. Students in this course analyze, design and develop programs in C++ that can specifically be used for applications in doctoral research. Students will be evaluated on technical research projects, and case studies in the business areas using database applications. |
CS7005-8 | Complex Database Management Systems | The database administration field continues to grow exponentially, requiring executives and programmers to hold advanced knowledge regarding network architecture and current technologies. The corporation information officer (CIO) is an example of a new executive role that has emerged as a result of this growth, requiring specialized advanced education in the information technology field. This course analyzes database architecture and design, including such topics as WAN, LAN, Wireless, and other leading edge technologies in network architecture, exploring emerging case study applications of contemporary database software applications. Students will be evaluated on technical research projects and case studies applied in the business areas using database applications. |
CS7006-8 | Advanced Networking Technologies for Technology Leaders | Network Administration focuses on the network administrator. The Network Administrator will concentrate on the overall health of the network, server deployment, security, and ensuring that the network connectivity throughout a company's LAN/WAN infrastructure is on par with technical considerations at the network level of an organization's hierarchy. This course will focus on topics such as computer, network and server security and other technologies in network architecture. Evaluation of peer reviewed journal articles will include case studies, and projects. |
CS7009-8 | Advanced Topics in Management Information Systems | The Information Technology field continues to grow exponentially, requiring students to hold advanced knowledge regarding contemporary applications of information technology and systems. This doctoral course explores advanced topics including concepts, applications, and future directions of Management Information Systems and their development. Students will be evaluated on final research projects, and case studies of businesses which have created various Management Information Systems to maximize benefits. |
CS7010-8 | Advanced Topics in Network Communications | The Information Technology (IT) field continues to grow exponentially, requiring candidates to hold advanced knowledge regarding contemporary applications of client server Web architecture. The Corporation Information Officer (CIO) is an example of a new executive role that has emerged as a result of this growth, requiring specialized advanced education in the IT field. This course explores advanced topics in Network Architecture and Technology, including concepts, applications, and future directions regarding the development of networks for business systems. Students will be evaluated on final research projects, and case studies of businesses, performing an analysis against various Network Architecture and Technology topographies to maximize systems performances. |
CS7013-8 | Programming Language Fundamentals for Technology Leaders | This doctoral course explores advanced topics regarding Programming Languages and Principles, including concepts, applications, and future directions regarding business systems development. The Information Technology field continues to grow exponentially, requiring executives to hold advanced knowledge regarding contemporary applications of programming languages and principles. The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is an example of a new executive role that has emerged as a result of this growth, requiring specialized leadership education in the Information Technology field. In order to assume this role, the CIO must understand the basics of programming and programming language design. |
CS7014-8 | Software Engineering Fundamentals for Technology Leaders | This Course will help students recognize the importance of modeling associated with software development. Software Engineers, System Architects, Computer Programmers, and Information Technology Programmers will benefit from this Course by becoming familiars with the processes Technology Leaders plan and manage prior to the design and implementation stage of software. |
CS7015-8 | Distributed Computing Fundamentals for Technology Leaders | This doctoral course provides for a professional understanding of the value and uses of Distributed Computing systems, architectures, and processes aimed to assist with meeting the business and financial needs of an organization. This course is designed for students who want an overview of designing systems that connect with multiple systems. This course provides students with a synthesis regarding the ways in which architects, artists, and engineers might develop a system aimed to enhance end-user satisfaction. The course concentrates on providing the tools needed for the mastery of the Distributed Computing concepts and terms, which are important for all managers who communicate with technologists to gain an understanding how Distributed Computer systems contribute to the organization as well as the business processes. |
MIS7005-8 | Enterprise Network Architecture | This course provides a professional understanding of the value and uses of information systems architectures and processes aimed to improve the overall performances of an organization. This course is designed for students who want an overview of designing an enterprise architecture, computer networks, systems applications, and information systems processes. This course provides students with a synthesis regarding the ways in which technologists might develop an enterprise network architecture to improve application accessibility, data storage, and management, communications, and business processes. The course concentrates on providing the tools needed for mastery of enterprise network architecture concepts and terms, which are important for all managers who communicate with technologists about business-related planning that aims to improve enterprise network systems. |
Course Code | Name | Course Description |
|---|---|---|
DIS9401B | Doctoral Dissertation Research I | In this course sequence, students work progressively on completing each doctoral dissertation milestone toward the completion of the professional doctorate degree. These milestones include Committee and University approval of a dissertation concept paper, a dissertation proposal paper, an approved IRB application by the Northcentral University Institutional Review Board, the collection and analysis of research data, the preparation and approval of the final dissertation manuscript, and the successful completion of the oral presentation. Courses are taken continually and sequentially until all dissertation milestones have been completed. Throughout these courses, students often work independently but are required to be in communication with the Chair of their Dissertation Committee at least once a month. These courses are graded utilizing Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U) as the grading criteria. |
DIS9402B | Doctoral Dissertation Research II | In this course sequence, students work progressively on completing each doctoral dissertation milestone toward the completion of the professional doctorate degree. These milestones include Committee and University approval of a dissertation concept paper, a dissertation proposal paper, an approved IRB application by the Northcentral University Institutional Review Board, the collection and analysis of research data, the preparation and approval of the final dissertation manuscript, and the successful completion of the oral presentation. Courses are taken continually and sequentially until all dissertation milestones have been completed. Throughout these courses, students often work independently but are required to be in communication with the Chair of their Dissertation Committee at least once a month. These courses are graded utilizing Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U) as the grading criteria. |
DIS9403B | Doctoral Dissertation Research III | In this course sequence, students work progressively on completing each doctoral dissertation milestone toward the completion of the professional doctorate degree. These milestones include Committee and University approval of a dissertation concept paper, a dissertation proposal paper, an approved IRB application by the Northcentral University Institutional Review Board, the collection and analysis of research data, the preparation and approval of the final dissertation manuscript, and the successful completion of the oral presentation. Courses are taken continually and sequentially until all dissertation milestones have been completed. Throughout these courses, students often work independently but are required to be in communication with the Chair of their Dissertation Committee at least once a month. These courses are graded utilizing Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U) as the grading criteria. |
DIS9404B | Doctoral Dissertation Research IV | In this course sequence, students work progressively on completing each doctoral dissertation milestone toward the completion of the professional doctorate degree. These milestones include Committee and University approval of a dissertation concept paper, a dissertation proposal paper, an approved IRB application by the Northcentral University Institutional Review Board, the collection and analysis of research data, the preparation and approval of the final dissertation manuscript, and the successful completion of the oral presentation. Courses are taken continually and sequentially until all dissertation milestones have been completed. Throughout these courses, students often work independently but are required to be in communication with the Chair of their Dissertation Committee at least once a month. These courses are graded utilizing Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U) as the grading criteria. |
At Northcentral University, we pride ourselves in being completely transparent when it comes to tuition and fees. We have adopted an all-inclusive tuition model that gives you the cost of your Doctor of Business Administration tuition and fees in one flat program rate*. The only additional cost above your DBA program rate is books. Learn more about the NCU’s DBA costs below:
- Per credit cost: $829
- Per 3 credit course cost: $2,487
- Program cost: $44,766
- Average book cost per course: $150
- Application Fee: $0
- Technology Fee: $0
- Registration Fee: $0
Click here to learn more about payment and financing options.
*Program rates are subject to change and generally increase at the start of each calendar year.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our students, it’s that they are motivated and ambitious—but they are also busy! At Northcentral University, we’ve designed our education experience to work with you, not against you, so you can achieve your academic goals without sacrificing the quality, flexibility and support you need to be successful.
- Regionally Accredited
- No Physical Residency Requirements
- One-to-One Teaching
- 100% Doctoral Faculty
- Flexibility of Online Learning
- University Resources
To learn more, request information or call 1-866-776-0331 or start a live chat to speak with an enrollment advisor today. We offer new courses every Monday of the year so you can get started when it’s best for you.
