This is my review of the DBA at ESGCI…
This is my review of the DBA at ESGCI Paris, France, which I pursued just over a year ago. I chose this DBA to boost my career after completing my master’s in hybrid project management. I wanted a doctorate without the long commitment of four or five years, especially with stringent requirements despite prior learning and research. The DBA is completed online with self-study options and live weekend lectures. If you miss a live lecture, you can watch it later. The program’s flexibility allows you to connect with industry professionals worldwide, making it great for networking.
The DBA at ESGCI appealed to me because it could be completed within a year. During my master’s, I had the option to switch to a PhD program through a fellowship, but I chose to graduate with a master’s instead. When I reapplied for the fully funded PhD fellowship, I didn’t get it. So, I looked for a one-year program, and ESGCI fit the bill. The program was well-structured and the first six months were focused on research methodologies and thesis writing with asynchronous modules, videos, short texts, and mind maps. These tools were very useful in preparing me to write a thesis. Huge shoutout to Mitesh Jain from upGrad, who supported me from day one. The upGrad platform was user-friendly and made the learning process smooth.
Having already done a master’s in research using grounded theory, I was able to start my thesis early. Professor Josse, head of the DBA program, was an excellent supervisor. My DBA research involved 25 interviews with industry experts and 2 workshops, making it like writing an industry report based on expert views, which was very engaging and informative.
A major advantage of the DBA is its shorter length compared to a PhD – 50,000 words or 160 pages versus 90,000 to 100,000 words or 300 to 400 pages. I completed the program in a year and passed my Viva two weeks ago. My thesis on generative AI’s impact on operational efficiencies was well-received. Two months into the DBA, I was accepted into a PhD fellowship. The structured approach of the DBA, along with upGrad’s support, helped me fast-track my learning, letting me complete two doctorates in one year. I’m now prepping for my PhD Viva and do not regret doing the DBA at all. It has been great for my career and personal growth. ESGCI’s DBA program is accredited by the Ministry for Education and Innovation in France, recognized in over 60 countries. Its focus on practical industry knowledge over theoretical creation makes it ideal for experienced professionals. I highly recommend the ESGCI DBA program and upGrad for their excellent support and platform.