DBA Academics and Curriculum

We are now living in a new era of business practice, value creation and delivery. Understanding the changes relevant in the research, design, and execution of digital business is only becoming more important for present and future managers. Whether the context is an existing business trying to figure out how to offer value in the transition to digital or a new, digital native business designing their value delivery and growth strategy, it is imperative to understand this new landscape. This class offers students the opportunity to become more familiar with digital business strategy and innovation through a close look at,1) digital business models and revenue structures, 2)  how to design and conduct a digital-business opportunity analysis, 3) how to create and deliver value through digital marketing channels, and 4) the unique parameters and tools for online growth. The students will develop the ability to evaluate research concerning the structural and strategic options for creating a digital business. Prerequisites: Graduate business students only.

This course will examine cybersecurity technologies that are needed to ensure the protection of critical information systems. The focus will be on the technical aspects of cybersecurity. We will discuss cryptography, operating systems security, application security, and network security. The course content also includes topics of principles of computer security, user authentication, access control, malicious software, denial-of-service attacks, intrusion detection, firewalls, and Intrusion Prevention Systems. Prerequisites: Graduate students only.

This course will provide an understanding to effectively implement the information security vision and strategy set forth by the executive management. The emphasis will be on cybersecurity management including information security policy and development of security program. The course focuses on establishing security processes, information security standards, risk management (models), business continuity, contingency planning tools, and SETA (security education, training and awareness). Prerequisites: Graduate students only.

This course will investigate the challenges and opportunities of effectively governing an organization’s information security requirements and resources. Cybersecurity governance lays out the vision for the cybersecurity program. This course will discuss what constitutes good cybersecurity governance, and the development of an effective security strategy and policy. We will also focus on how to improve information security accountability and maturity. Prerequisites: CYSM 6100, Graduate students only.

This course explores the philosophy of science and applied scholarly research. It introduces the principles of scientific research along with different research paradigms. We discuss positivist, interpretive and critical research perspectives. Students will learn about design science research and its relevance to information security. The course also examines the effectiveness of various research approaches. Prerequisites: Graduate business students only.

This course examines the philosophical and theoretical foundations of information systems security. The focus is on understanding distinctive research orientations regarding information security in organizations. The goal of the course is to provide an intellectual foundation for students to develop an appropriate research program in this area. Prerequisites: CYSM 6200, CYSM 6300, QUAN 7110

This course examines the privacy issues regarding information systems. The focus is on understanding distinctive research orientations regarding information privacy. Discussions will emphasize critical evaluation of theoretical foundations of privacy in our modern technologically based society. The goal of the course is to provide an intellectual foundation for students to develop an appropriate research program in this area. Prerequisites: CYSM 6100, QUAN 7110

This course focuses on developing a conceptual paper in an area of interest in information security. It aims to provide students with a mentored, structured approach to develop critical skills required for dissertation. Students will apply the concepts, theories and methods learned in various courses. The paper may include plan for data collection and analysis. This preliminary research paper can serve as a basis for the dissertation proposal. Prerequisites: CYSM 7120, CYSM 7130.

This course is designed to guide the students through various stages of the dissertation process beginning with the development of a proposal and ending with a successful dissertation defense. Students may repeat this course to meet the necessary requirements. Prerequisites: Instructor approval (program director or dissertation chair).

Students learn and apply advanced methods of analyzing data with an emphasis on the use and interpretation of descriptive and inferential techniques. Topics covered include repeated measures ANOVA, power, multiple correlation, and regression, ANCOVA, MANCOVA, Factor Analysis, and selected packaged statistical programs. Open to Ph.D. students only. Prerequisites: Introduction to Statistics or equivalent.

Identify and discuss differing philosophical orientations in respect to knowledge and inquiry among qualitative researchers. Study traditions of qualitative research that have evolved within disciplines of anthropology, sociology, psychology, and organizational theory and critique various qualitative studies. Develop competency in various techniques for gathering, analyzing, and reporting qualitative data. Open to PhD students only. Prerequisites: Introduction to Statistics or equivalent.

Advanced methods of developing and analyzing complex data sets through the application of appropriate statistical measures, including time series analysis, SEM, and HLM; and develop skills to conduct and submit critical analyses of published research studies. Students also design, implement, and conduct research projects followed by the completion of professional-level research reports. Open to PhD students only. Prerequisites: Intermediate Quantitative Research and Statistics or equivalent.

Analyzes organizational metaphors and their application to complex organizations. Examines various theories on organizations and the role of process, structure, and communication in organizational effectiveness. Investigates the relationship between and among various systems. Students apply knowledge of adult human development and systems theory to organizational development and strategic planning. Open to PhD students only.

In an environment of dynamic, non-stop change and increasing competition, organizations that have the best skills in developing healthy, high-performance organizations and managing change will have a competitive advantage. People who are trained in these skills can significantly increase their value to organizations. The course provides sound theory and practical training in how to successfully manage change, develop high-performing individuals, teams, and organizations, and transform organizations. Prerequisites: MGMT 6000 or business doctoral students.  Graduate Business students only.

This course bridges organizational theory and research with the applied needs of contemporary cybersecurity professionals.  The primary   goal   of   this   course   is   to   survey   the classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives and issues studied in organizational research. It provides a broad overview of the major theoretical debates within organization theory, and how they have influenced research in more applied fields. The overarching goal is to provide students with resources derived from organizational theory and research that will help develop innovative solutions to the multifaceted challenges inherent in the cybersecurity industry.

The drivers of competitive advantage have changed as the pace of innovation has accelerated. Traditional defensive tactics such as cornering the market for key material resources, or securing legally defensible property rights, offer little protection against hacking, espionage, and theft of intellectual property in this new information economy. Knowledge, discovery, innovation, and technology are the essential competitive resources for the modern era. However, this transition to a new form of competitive dominance based on information power creates new opportunities and challenges for managers of organizations. This course offers an orientation to strategic management issues surrounding technology, and the attainment of competitive advantage through information-based power. It provides an introduction to work in the field of strategic management. The students will learn about different theoretical approaches to strategy research that are based on different disciplines. Students will also explore different areas of strategy research including corporate governance, global strategy, and organizational design. Prerequisites: Graduate business students only.