MSc | DBA Double Degree Program

Next application deadline: May 31, 2026

Apply now

Factbox

Type of study

part-time | hybrid modules in Innsbruck | attendance modules in Paris | English

Duration of study

36 months

Academic Degree

Master of Science (Continuing Education) in Business Research Method | MSc (CE) | Doctor of Business Administration | DBA

Prerequisites

Master degree in any subject & a minimum of 5 years professional experience | Bachelor degree in any subject & a minimum of 7 years professional experience | Proof of English proficiency

Tuition fee*

EUR 42,000,-

Next starting date

October 5, 2026

*VAT exempt | Please contact us for individual payment arrangements |

10% Discount for MCI Alumni

Register here for the next info-webinar:

5 May, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there!

“In this MSc | DBA Double Degree Program you’ll be able to dive deep into a topic that really matters to you and your organization.”

Prof. Dr. Markus Kittler, Academic Director

Overview

The MSc | DBA Double Degree Program is offered by MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® and the Paris School of Business (PSB). It brings together two internationally recognized and AACSB-accredited institutions to deliver high-level doctoral education in business and management.

Tailored for professionals and managers across industries, this three-year, part-time program equips participants to address new and evolving challenges through rigorous and advanced analytical skills. It offers the distinctive opportunity of earning both a Master’s and a Doctor’s degree within an accelerated three-year period.

The program will comprise online, hybrid, and on-campus sessions at both MCI and PSB. Located in the heart of the famous Latin Quarter in Paris, our partner university PSB welcomes a multicultural student community with over 130 nationalities represented and is accredited at the highest international level (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA).

Mag. Susanne E. Herzog Associate Dean Continuing & Executive Education

Do you have questions about studying? We look forward to hearing from you.

+43 512 2070 - 2123

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Links

MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®

Why not study at the top?

MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® is one of the most successful universities in the German-speaking region and Europe. Renowned business experts teach in small groups, distinguished lecturers ensure academic quality in all areas, and the dedicated MCI team supports students in their endeavors such as internships, research, and stays abroad.

Structure & Content

Your learning journey will start with introductory modules as part of the Master’s program held in Paris and Innsbruck. In the first phase, you will advance your research skills and learn about accessing and evaluating state-of-the-art knowledge. We will guide you in developing a blueprint for a relevant research project in year one and towards conducting empirical research in year two.

Upon successful completion of the requirements for the MSc (CE) | Master of Science (Continuing Education) in Business Research Methods from MCI, you will access the second phase of the DBA at PSB in year three, focused on the implementation of the doctoral research project. You will prepare a written document evidencing your learning and contribution, and defend your research in front of a jury.

You will be accompanied through the entire process: from the step-by-step planning and development of your research project to its final implementation and write-up. In addition to being mentored by experienced academics, you will join a cohort of ambitious and typically like-minded individuals, providing additional networking opportunities during and after completing your Double Degree Program.

Program Overview

Format	part-time \| hybrid modules in Innsbruck \| attendance modules in Paris
Duration	Double degree: 3 years in total MSc 120 ECTS: 24 month in total DBA 90 Credits: 12 month in total (equivalent 180 ECTS)
Venue	hybrid modules in Innsbruck \| attendance modules in Paris
Language	English
Tuition fee	EUR 42,000,-

Benefits

The close collaboration between MCI and PSB combines the strengths of both institutions, their programs, and their research expertise. The MSc | DBA Double Degree Program offers you guided step-by-step support in the development, planning, design, and implementation of your research project. It allows you to focus on a topic that is professionally relevant to you. One combined learning journey leads you towards two degrees.

By successfully applying for this program, you will access valuable opportunities for personal and career development. The program prepares and supports each candidate to achieve the required standards for obtaining both the MSc and the DBA degree, and it provides practical relevance, academic rigor, and international networking opportunities.

Practical focus and enlarged range of topics

The MSc | DBA double degree enables you to research a wide set of practically relevant managerial challenges. You will access state-of-the-art knowledge and combine theory and practice in a single learning journey. The collaboration between MCI and PSB enables access to a wider set of subject experts and mentors with specializations in such fields as entrepreneurship, international business, management, marketing, and organizational behavior.

Academic rigor and specialist training

You will develop insights and make a contribution to knowledge based on a comprehensive understanding of your chosen problem area through a rigorous combination of research training, self-directed study, expert guidance, and support. In addition to courses on general and advanced skills for business research, the Double Degree option provides access to elective seminars on selected methods and emerging research tools.

Networking, collaboration, and international exposure

Cultivate impactful relationships with faculty and peers while engaging with some of the most talented and driven minds in the program.
Leverage a demanding intellectual program while building a close, supportive relationship with your team of experienced advisors.
Connect with an international community of faculty and peers, enriching your learning by exploring diverse perspectives.

The program allows you to continue your professional career while studying. Its format includes on-campus sessions in Paris, hybrid sessions in Innsbruck, and online sessions, providing both convenience and international exposure. Guided by experienced faculty, we enable you to develop significant contributions to knowledge.

Program Goals

The MSc | DBA Double Degree Program supports both the acquisition and the application of relevant research skills. As part of the MSc, these skills prepare you to conduct high-quality doctoral research in the field of business and management. By combining both MSc and DBA learning goals, we enable you to...

...develop business and management research skills

You will be aware of and able to select and apply appropriate research methods for tackling and resolving relevant business and management problems. Your understanding of basic, advanced, and selected specialist research skills will enable you to conduct rigorous analyses with qualitative and quantitative data.

...build expertise in your field of practice

By systematically acquiring state-of-the-art knowledge and reviewing academic literature on your topic of interest, you will build and extend competencies in the chosen area of specialization. You will be able to generate cutting-edge knowledge at the forefront of the discipline.

...communicate findings and novel ideas

Without adequate dissemination, new knowledge would not matter. Our program aims to help you develop the communication and presentation skills needed to convincingly share research results and disseminate novel ideas. You will learn how to communicate at the expected standard of published academic work.

...become scholarly practitioners

Throughout the program, you will develop your critical thinking skills. Your research will help you understand business phenomena and contribute to solving problems relevant to you or your organization. With your doctoral research, you produce academic and professional contributions, adding to existing knowledge.

Learning Model

The MSc | DBA Double Degree Program runs over a period of three years, using a blended learning approach that combines on-campus sessions, hybrid and online courses, business insights, individual on-site and online support from designated advisors, and international workshops.

Blended learning: Residential sessions and online Learning

As part of the curriculum, you will attend four sessions in Paris (1-1.5 weeks each) and four shorter hybrid sessions in Innsbruck. Tailored distance learning components allow you to stay in touch with staff and fellow learners throughout the program. Dedicated advisors with extensive experience in supporting professionals in their learning will accompany your doctoral research journey.

Faculty

The principal asset of the MSc | DBA Double Degree Program is its renowned faculty consisting of international academics with extensive experience in business and managerial practice. Our faculties are experienced and passionate about guiding our students in their research projects. Their input is intended to ensure both rigor and relevance of your doctoral research.

Milestones

Your MSc research and DBA research theses are the two central milestones on the way towards your Double Degree and reflect the successful learning throughout the program. Combined with other smaller assessments (e.g. developing and presenting a research proposal and annual reviews), we ensure that you receive sufficient formative feedback throughout your studies to pave the way towards successful completion.

Research Fields

You will have the opportunity to benefit from the intellectual stimuli provided by the research groups at both institutions. The faculty teaching and supervising research projects within the MSc | DBA Double Degree Program are internationally recognized experts in their field of research. Their extensive experience both in academia and industry can help to ensure academic rigour in practically relevant theses.

The faculties are composed of

permanent, affiliate, and visiting professors;
industry experts, professionals and entrepreneurs and
coaches experienced in professional, career and personal development.

The research areas listed below highlight prominent research domains at MCI and PSB but do not provide a comprehensive list of all expertise within both institutions. Approach us directly and inquire about your research idea or need if you are unsure.

Prominent research areas at MCI

The research competencies at MCI are geared to the latest social, technological and economic challenges and are divided into the two research pillars “Business & Society” and “Technology & Life Sciences”. For the MSc | DBA Double Degree Program mainly (but not exclusively) colleagues from the business pillar are involved and typically affiliated with the following research areas:

Digital Transformation
Entrepreneurship
Family Business
Futures Capability for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Responsibility & Sustainability
Social & Health Care Services
Smart Production & Organization
Tourism Research & Destination Management

University Management and Higher Education Research

Prominent research areas at PSB

Similar to the MCI, the PSB research lab motto "Research for Practice" reflects its members’ contributions to the production of knowledge that is useful to the academic community, the socio-economic environment, and to the pedagogy deployed across the School. Research at PSB is structured around four research areas that have been aligned to the expertise and research interests

Economics, Monetary and Environmental Policies (EMEP)
Financial Policies, Banking and Corporate Finance (FBCF)
Innovation Strategy, Digital Transformation, Management and Social Entrepreneurship (IDTSE)
Technology Interaction, Strategic Marketing & Customer Experience (TIMCE)

Academic Board

Management

Program Director

Mag. Susanne E. Herzog

MCI Head of Executive Education & Development

Strategy & Research Consultant bei IMARK Strategy Advisors

Prof. Dr. Markus Kittler

Academic Director, MCI

Academic Degrees

MSc (CE) | Master of Science (Continuing Education) in Business Research Methods | conferred by MCI
DBA | Doctor of Business Administration | conferred by PSB

We are aware that your personal circumstances might change over course of a three years’ project. The MSc will be awarded independently from the success in the doctoral degree. In case of changing plans (e.g. less availability for research because of a promotion or family development) the MSc after year two could also serve as an exit route or allows you to pause the program with an interim success.

Motivation and career perspectives

The part-time MSc | DBA Double Degree Program is for managers and business professionals from different disciplines who wish to:

earn two prestigious academic degrees within one learning journey;
develop and apply advanced analytical skills and research methods;
analyze and critically reflect on relevant business phenomena;
enhance managerial expertise and/or leadership proficiency;
establish or strengthen connections with the academic community;
boost their careers and take them to the next level.

The MSc | DBA Double Degree Program will have benefits for you and your career, for your company and for society at large. Our graduates profit from our strong network of recognized lecturers from science, business, and society, even beyond their studies. The exchange with international students also improves their own network and creates international acceptance for the benefit of all our students.

Admission

Applications for studies are accepted on an ongoing basis via our online application platform. In the interests of your further planning, we recommend that you submit your application early.

Prerequisites

Evidence of relevant personal, professional, and educational experience
- A Master’s degree in any subject
  (plus > 5 years of managerial experience) -or-
- A Bachelor’s degree in any subject (plus > 7 years of managerial experience)
Proficiency in English
Research idea outline

Admission Procedure

A brief statement of your intended research based on a managerial problem
CV (resume)
Passport photocopy and ID picture
Master’s or Bachelor’s degree transcript and diploma(s)
2 letters of recommendation
Proof of English Proficiency: TOEFL (92), IELTS (6.5) or equivalent

While we will study the documents above to fully assess your application, not all documents will be required for an initial screening. We will definitely need a first idea on what you plan to research, your CV and a passport photocopy. We will however need the transcripts of your previous study, references and the proof of English proficiency prior the final decision on program admission. When in doubt please contact Antonia Wandkowski for any inquiries about the submission process.

By applying and/or registering for the MSc | DBA Double Degree Program, you give the MCI and the PSB the formal consent to check all of the provided credentials and documents. Once your application file has been accepted, intake interviews will be organized to get a better insight of your motivation and perseverance. All applicants are requested to present their initial research topic and motivation during an interview with one or more faculty members.

Career & Perspectives

The Double Degree Program will have benefits for you and your career, for your company and for society at large.

Graduates are able to generate and share academic knowledge within their own professional and academic networks. They master methods and instruments of economic research in order to apply them to challenges in their professional environment.

Our graduates profit from our strong network of recognized lecturers from science, business, and society, even beyond their studies. The exchange with international students also improves their own network and creates international acceptance for the benefit of all our students.