Registration

Courses are offered on a paced basis, in sequential order, with specific start and completion dates.

Upon admission to their program of study, students will receive a timetable outlining course start and completion dates for the cohort group to which the student belongs.

Students are automatically registered for DBA courses and on-site workshops according to the course schedule set on the date they commence the program. Students must take courses in order, as outlined in the course schedule.

A student is considered registered for a course on the 21st day before the start date for that course as indicated on the student’s schedule.

Time to Complete

Students must complete their DBA program within seven years of their initial enrolment in the program. In exceptional circumstances, extensions will be considered by the DBA Program Director, and will require the payment of a fee.

Program Deferrals

DBA students who have commenced the program can defer their studies for upcoming courses. Course deferrals must be requested at least 21 days prior to the respective course start date. Deferring courses may delay program completion by one year. All course deferrals or withdrawals must be approved by the DBA Program Director or his/her designate. Refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for leave provisions.

Course Withdrawal

After the above-mentioned 21-day period, DBA students can withdraw from the course in which they are pre-registered or registered, subject to the following:

• To avoid academic penalty, a course withdrawal must occur no later than 14 calendar days after the start of a course. A course withdrawal fee must be paid in full.
• Withdrawals will not occur by default. Withdrawal requests must be submitted to the appropriate areas, within the regulated time frames (21 days before a course starts or 14 days following the start date of a course).
• DBA students withdrawing after 14 days from the start date of the course will fail the course and a WF (withdrawal fail) will appear on their transcript. With approval of the DBA Program Director or his/her designate, such candidates will be permitted to retake the course, with full payment of the course fees.
• DBA students who do not withdraw and do not complete a course will fail the course. There will be no opportunity for re-registration.

Incomplete Status

Under extraordinary circumstances, DBA students may receive permission for an incomplete status for a course but they must submit such a request to the DBA Program Director or his/her designate prior to the end date for the course. If approved, DBA students will have up to a maximum of thirty (30) calendar days to complete the outstanding individual written assignments (as approved). Group assignments and participation components of the course are not included under this policy.

Program Withdrawal

DBA students who have permission of their advisor and choose to withdraw from their program of study, without record of registration, must do so within thirty (30) calendar days of the commencement of the program. A withdrawal occurring in this time will not be recorded on the DBA student’s transcript.

A candidate who withdraws from his/her program of study with the permission of an advisor after the thirty calendar day period from the start of the program will:

1. have this withdrawal recorded on his/her transcript;
2. pay the tuition portion for courses completed and currently registered in; and
3. may be required to pay a program discontinuation fee. Any program fees paid will be non-refundable.

DBA students who do not maintain ‘active status’ must speak to their advisor to gain permission to have their program extended, with the final decision to come from the DBA program director or his/her designate. These individuals will be deemed withdrawn from their program of study.

Re-Enrolment in the Program

Re-enrolment to the DBA program can occur within three years of student departure, subject to review and approval by the DBA Admissions Committee, and payment of all applicable fees. Fees will be assessed at current rates. Re-enrolled candidates will be required to pay any fee increases that occur between the time of re-enrolment and last registration. Credit for courses previously completed will be re-evaluated and applied to the program requirements, where appropriate. Additional extensions and alternatives may be granted by the DBA Program Director or his/her designate only in exceptional circumstances and on payment of the appropriate fee.

Grading System

The official recorded grade will be the Alpha/4.0 grading scale (see below).

Grade Appeals

Appeals to the University concerning grades will be governed by the Student Appeals Policy.

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded the Doctor of Business Administration, a graduate student must meet all of the requirements as set out in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Guidelines.