Why Get a DBA in Business Intelligence? 7 Reasons

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A group of business leaders
November 19, 2024

The business landscape is evolving and becoming increasingly unpredictable. Digital acceleration, remote work, geopolitical uncertainty, a volatile financial market and other factors leave us wondering what’s next. Despite these fluctuating circumstances, there’s one guarantee for the future of business — organizations need leaders with business intelligence (BI) skills who can make data-driven decisions. 

An online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Business Intelligence prepares you to meet today’s challenges with ethical leadership skills, actionable research and highly personalized coursework related to your specific career goals. But practically speaking, why get a DBA? Simply put, the benefits of a DBA can prepare you for success in today’s business environment.

 

What Is Business Intelligence?

Business intelligence is a discipline made up of many components. Organizations employ BI and analytics to create a holistic view of business data to communicate between teams, identify and eliminate operational inefficiencies, develop products and services faster and drive organizational change. 

Professionals working in the field of BI perform several important tasks that provide their companies with actionable insights, including the following:

  • Business analytics
  • Data mining
  • Data visualization
  • Data tools and infrastructure
  • Best practices for data-driven decision-making

 

Business Intelligence and the Future of Business

Technology is always evolving, and BI’s role in the workspace will continue to grow. The increasing prevalence of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) is providing organizations with increasingly large amounts of data. Additionally, the evolution of BI tools will allow BI to integrate even more smoothly into a company’s business strategies. BI will be increasingly critical to an organization’s ability to maintain a competitive advantage. 

Those equipped with a DBA in business intelligence will be able to rely on the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree programs to adapt to these changes with their own business intelligence strategies.

 

What Is a DBA Degree?

Many professionals interested in business analytics pursue a DBA degree. A DBA degree is a postgraduate doctoral program designed for business professionals with experience in their industry. It’s often the next step for those with a master’s degree in a business-related program. A DBA in Business Analytics exists at the intersection of technology and business; it produces ethical business leaders with hard skills related to data analytics, cloud computing, AI and other relevant skills related to the latest technologies and methodologies.

 

What Is the Difference Between a DBA and a PhD?

A DBA and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business are the highest credentials in business education. Both grant students doctoral degrees that allow them to engage in advanced study, examinations and research projects involving business administration. However, a comparison of a DBA vs. PhD in Business reveals different academic and career goals. 

A DBA is a professional degree that teaches students how to transfer theoretical knowledge to a real-world business setting. Students enrolled in a DBA intend to do the following:

  • Enhance their ability to solve business-related problems in their role
  • Contribute to their management skills
  • Gain critical skills through research methods
  • Become a thought leader in their industry
  • Network to build international connections

A PhD in Business is a theoretical research degree that allows students to develop original research related to business theory and models. Students enrolled in a PhD in Business intend to do the following:

  • Further their research abilities
  • Pursue journal publications
  • Learn business theory and academic applications
  • Gain the certification necessary to teach in academic institutions
  • Teach their knowledge to future business students

 

Why Get a DBA? Top Benefits of an Advanced Business Intelligence Degree

There are many benefits of a DBA, including increased career options and financial rewards. Perhaps most importantly, DBA graduates can transform into ethical, conscious and influential leaders with practical skills to create a better world. 

Whether a graduate improves health care outcomes, measures climate change efforts or becomes a key decision-maker in local government, a DBA in Business Intelligence opens a wealth of opportunities.

We identified seven reasons why getting a DBA is worth it for business professionals to build skills, enhance career opportunities and influence the future of business.

 

1. Develop Cutting-Edge Skills Related to Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The world is changing, and the job market requires new skills. In the United States, there’s a high demand for professionals with skills in business intelligence and data analytics. Over the past few years, business intelligence has matured enough to make leaders with solid BI skills an important commodity. 

Because the C-suite has been slow to adapt to these skills, those who develop these competencies can stand out as forward-thinking business leaders. In addition to AI, data science and machine language skills, students enrolled in a DBA in Business Intelligence learn the following business intelligence processes:

  • Data Mining: Using raw data sets, statistics and machine learning to locate trends in large databases
  • Reporting: Communicating data analytics and results to executives, teams and stakeholders to build a business intelligence strategy and make decisions
  • Performance Metrics and Benchmarking: Comparing present business performance data to historical trends and tracking goals using dashboards
  • Descriptive Analytics: Identifying what happened in the past based on preliminary data analysis
  • Statistical Analysis: Exploring population data and other statistical information using descriptive analytics
  • Data Visualization: Designing visual representations to make data easier to understand, including charts, graphs, imagery and histograms
  • Visual Analysis: Examining data through graphic storytelling to clarify the findings, hypothesis and patterns
  • Data Preparation: Organizing and compiling data sources, determining measurements and cleaning and preparing data for data analysis

 

2. Make Strategic Data-Informed Decisions

Data-driven decision-making is the fuel that runs successful and efficient organizations. As a result, companies are doubling down on data analytics and increasingly investing in business intelligence. This trend shows no signs of stopping: the global market for big data and analytics (BDA) had a valuation of $225.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit $665.7 billion by 2033. The same sources show that the banking, manufacturing and professional services industries are making the most significant investments in BDA solutions.

Students enrolled in a DBA in Business Intelligence use BI tools to solve problems and direct organizational decisions. The practical coursework teaches DBA graduates how to do the following:

  • Use statistical methods to increase an organization’s operational efficiency
  • Employ microeconomic and macroeconomic approaches to solve business problems from a global perspective
  • Build cutting-edge platforms and dashboards to enable data-driven insights
  • Communicate findings to key decision-makers
  • Ensure that data collection is ethical, transparent and compliant with privacy regulations

 

3. Increase Job Opportunities and Career Mobility

From a career standpoint, there are several reasons to get a DBA. Mid- to senior-level business professionals working full time may pursue a DBA degree to progress into C-suite leadership roles. An online DBA prepares students for leadership roles across many favored industries, including professional, scientific and technical services; government; manufacturing; and health care and social assistance. 

According to Indeed, some of the career paths DBA holders pursue include the following:

 

4. Earn a DBA Degree Salary and Increase Your Lifetime Earning Potential

The most tangible return on investment (ROI) for DBA students is increased earning potential. DBA graduates may advance in their careers and work as CEOs, senior business analysts and other top leadership roles. As of May 2023, the median annual wage for top executives in the United States was $206,680. In addition to C-suite roles, a DBA can lead to other well-paying jobs that allow individuals to use their BI knowledge and leadership skills to influence business. The following common career paths for DBA graduates demonstrate the possible DBA degree salary range:

  • Chief executives: $206,680
  • Management occupations: $116,880
  • Top executives: $103,840
  • General and operations managers: $101,280 

 

5. Inspire Change as an Ethical Business Leader

Business leaders with experience and skills related to business intelligence can redefine their organizational strategy to prepare for the “What’s Next Economy.” Leaders with BI knowledge can inspire organizational change by determining key performance indicators (KPIs) for success, enhancing cross-team collaboration, better managing risk and compliance, launching effective marketing campaigns and forecasting trends. These actions deliver a more profitable, efficient and intelligent business model.

In addition to enhancing operational efficiency, business leaders with BI skills are more conscious and ethical leaders. In an era of digital technology and regulation, ethics in data are top of mind. Organizations are under pressure to comply with new regulations and protect data. A DBA in BI helps leaders to do the following:

  • Define data standards and values
  • Align the organizational mission to daily actions
  • Determine data ownership and mitigate risk
  • Use data to improve company culture and hire talent
  • Build a data ethics dashboard
  • Track impact and success over time

 

6. Develop Key Relationships in the Business Community

One of the unique benefits of earning a DBA online is the opportunity it provides for students to meet professionals who live in other parts of the world and bring different perspectives to their work and studies. Additionally, students can connect with and learn from expert faculty with experience and wisdom to share. 

In addition to hard skills like business intelligence and research, an online DBA program helps professionals further grow their soft skills like communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills. By developing relationships with faculty and colleagues across a range of industries, locations and career goals, DBA students increase their ability to collaborate and have productive discussions with others for the sake of business growth.

 

7. Enjoy the Flexibility of an Online Education

A final consideration is why to get a DBA from an online program. One of the greatest benefits of an online DBA program is that it has entirely digital, flexible coursework. Just as many working professionals today want to have agency in their working location and hours — perhaps choosing to work in the office some days and at home for others, or opting for entirely remote positions — the same can be said for the desire to study when and where it’s best for the student. 

As the digital world continues to grow as a home for much of the work, innovation and growth that takes place in today’s marketplace, it only follows that opportunities for developing as a professional, like pursuing a business administration degree, would do the same. A fully online, part-time degree that accommodates the personal and professional demands of a student’s life also fits well with the interdisciplinary, integrated approach taken in a DBA program. 

Rather than making students stop working, the online model empowers students to integrate the leadership, business intelligence and innovation skills they are gaining through their coursework directly into their present positions, which can also lead to career advancement. The online model enables working professionals to advance their professional opportunities and develop as well-rounded business leaders without putting their careers on hold. 

 

Lead the Data-Driven Future of Business With a DBA in Business Intelligence

Are you a highly motivated and passionate business leader interested in data, actionable insights and decision-making? Do you enjoy applying statistics and historical records to real-world challenges? Do you aspire to become an influential thought leader in your industry?

If so, consider the online DBA in Business Intelligence program at Marymount University. Business intelligence expertise can position you as a leader in the modern marketplace. Our program teaches you to identify and act on opportunities to leverage data to inform decisions. With a personalized curriculum, you’ll engage in actionable research, developing strategies to navigate the changing economy and make decisions based on relevant data. In less than three years, you can graduate from our 100% online program. When you do, you’ll be fully equipped to lead at the intersection of business and technology, no matter what comes next.

Prepare to lead and set digital strategy with a DBA in Business Intelligence.

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