Doctoral programs at DTMD University

There are fundamental differences between PhD and DBA programs. Both promotion concepts pursue different goals and address different target groups. While PhD programs are aimed at recent college graduates, DBA programs are exclusively for working decision makers with extensive practical experience. They are primarily offered as so-called blended learning on a part-time basis, in which classroom phases alternate with online learning.

DTMD University's Doctoral School primarily targets licensed physicians and administrative and corporate executives with a Master's degree from a recognized European university and at least five years of professional experience who:

• would like to document their technical, professional and social experiences and competencies in a high-quality scientific and practice-oriented doctoral thesis,
• want to enhance their professional skills and expertise through a scientifically validated reflection and research process,
• would like to showcase their personal profile and previous professional achievements with a recognized academic title.

Applicants with particularly outstanding professional and technical aptitudes and achievements may be admitted by the doctoral committee of DTMD University to a qualifying examination upon request, which exempts them from the master's thesis.

Timing of doctoral studies

In total, doctoral students in the two DAM and DBA doctoral programs at DTMD University go through

• In the 1st year of study, five interdisciplinary joint and
• In the 2nd year of study, three subject-specific separate attendance modules.
• The 3rd year of study is mainly devoted to the work on the thesis and the preparation of the colloquium with the defense of the doctoral thesis in front of the examination board.

With the doctoral program, the doctoral student acquires a total of 120 ECVET credits (European Credit Transfer System according to the Bruges/Copenhagen Process), which are absolutely equivalent to the ECTs of the Bologna Process.

The obligatory individual supervision of doctoral students provides for a continuous transfer of information and knowledge with the first supervisor. This can be done through face-to-face meetings, email or video conferencing.

The course is part-time and the classroom modules take place on weekends from Fridays to Sundays.