DBA in Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM)

The DBA-HELM Advantage

Why this Doctoral Programme

What sets this DBA apart is our commitment to bridging the gap between advanced management theory and the specific complexities of the higher education market. We have deliberately built this programme on five strategic pillars:

1. The Career Booster: Breaking the Glass Ceiling

In the academic world, professional growth often hits a plateau without a terminal degree. The DBA HELM is specifically designed to bridge this gap:

• Terminal Degree Status: Attain the highest level of academic qualification while remaining firmly rooted in the professional world.
• Executive Presence: Gain the credentials and the research-backed authority required to lead at the Vice-Chancellor, Dean, or Director-General level.

2. A Fusion of Theory and Practice

Unlike a traditional research PhD, the DBA-HELM facilitates a rigorous synthesis of academic theory and applied industry knowledge.

• The “Laboratory” Approach: use your own organization as a case study, turning daily professional challenges into rigorous, publishable research.
• Impact-Driven Results: create knowledge that solves practical problems and drives immediate institutional change.

3. Access to the Global “Dream Team”

Work directly with the architects of modern higher education strategy, including Professors Fiona Hunter, Svetlana Khapova, Hans de Wit, and Nick van Dam, ensuring your research is grounded in the most current global discourse.

4. The Boston College Synergy (CIHE)

Our exclusive partnership with the Center for International Higher Education (CIHE) at Boston College provides a unique North American perspective. Through a high-impact research residential, you will collaborate with global peers in a premier educational ecosystem.

5. Designed for the Global Executive

• Blended Delivery: A sophisticated mix of intensive on-site residencies and interactive online modules.
• Global Footprint: Experience diverse markets firsthand through our strategic hubs in Rome, Amsterdam, and Boston, with upcoming opportunities in Dubai and Milan.

Target Audience

Participant Profile: Who is the DBA-HELM for?

The DBA-HELM is designed for aspiring and current university leaders who seek to make a transformative impact on the higher education landscape. We attract a diverse mix of senior managers and academics from across all continents, creating a rich environment of shared institutional intelligence.

Target Audience & Professional Roles

Our candidates typically hold senior or emerging leadership positions within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) or related educational organisations such as thought leadership, ranking and accreditation agencies, including:

• Academic Leadership: Vice-Deans, Directors of Programmes, and Academic Department Heads.
• Operational Management: HR Directors, Strategy & Policy Directors, and Finance Managers.
• External Relations: Directors of International Offices, Marketing, Recruitment, and Communication.
• Student & Academic Services: Directors of QualityServices (Accreditations & Rankings), Admissions
• Managers, and Career Services Directors.
• Innovation & Executive Ed: Managers of Executive Education and EdTech initiatives.

Candidate requirements

To maintain the high standards of the programme and the quality of the peer network, candidates should possess:

• A Master’s Degree in a relevant field.
• Substantial professional experience in the higher education industry (typically 7+ years).
• A clear vision for a research project that addresses a critical institutional or sectoral challenge.

Degree Recognition & Quality Standards

The Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) in Higher Education Leadership and Management is offered by Luiss Business School, part of Luiss University. It is designed for global recognition, ensuring your degree carries the weight of one of Europe’s most prestigious business institutions.

Academic Framework: Level 8 Qualification

The DBA-HELM is a Third-Cycle (Doctoral) programme, aligned with the highest international educational standards:

• ISCED Level 8: Corresponding to the highest level of the International Standard Classification of Education.
• EQF/NQF Level 8: Fully aligned with Level 8 of the European and National Qualifications Frameworks.

International Accreditation: The “Triple Crown”

The programme is developed in accordance with the EQUAL Guidelines for Doctoral Programmes in Business and Management. Luiss Business School holds the “Triple Crown” of international accreditations:

• AACSB: Luiss has successfully undergone a specific audit for its doctoral-level programmes, confirming that our DBA meets the highest global standards for business and management education.
• EQUIS (EFMD) and AMBA.

Global Partnerships

• Boston College: Students will receive a certificate for participating in the International Week at the Center for International Higher Education (CIHE) at Boston College.

Thesis Development and Defense

The research journey is supported by:

• Summer Residency: Held at an international university partner.
• Online Workshops: Providing structured guidance and support throughout the thesis development process.
• Mid-Term Residency: An in-person session to present and receive feedback on research progress.
• Viva Ceremony: A formal, final defense before a committee of experts.