Doctor of

Business
Administration
in Digital
Leadership
36 Months

SAN FRANCISCO
Contents
About Golden Gate University, San Francisco

Why Golden Gate University

About upGrad

Who is this Program for?

Program Highlights

Key USPs

Student Learning Outcomes

Faculty

Program Curriculum Construct

Program Curriculum

Program Details

Scholarships offered by Golden Gate University and upGrad

Life at Golden Gate University

Immersion Program

A Glimpse of the upGrad Platform

Career Support
About Golden Gate
University - San Francisco

Golden Gate University, a private decades, and its programs offer

nonprofit university in the heart of maximum flexibility for modern
San Francisco's financial and high- students. GGU's DBA program provides
tech district, empowers working an opportunity for working
professionals to achieve their professionals to advance their business,
professional goals with GGU's DBA consulting, or teaching career with a
program provides an opportunity for doctoral degree. GGU has been
working professionals to advance repeatedly ranked as #1 in the United
their business, consulting, or teaching States for working professionals based
career with a doctoral degree. on superior flexibility and career
Founded in 1901, GGU has been a outcomes for students.
leader in online education for nearly
three

GGU's association with upGrad extends

our mission of providing high quality
education for working professionals
who aspire to change or advance their
careers. We’re eager to welcome
Professor Brent White students from around the world to our
innovative, practice-based programs.
Our mission is to ensure that access to a
Provost and Vice President for GGU education is affordable and
Academic Affairs, accessible to students everywhere. This
Golden Gate University, San Francisco
partnership provides students with
unique scholarship opportunities to
earn an advanced degree from their
home countries.
Why Golden Gate
University
RANKED

# 1 For Working Professionals by Washington Monthly

RANKED Best Online College in California by OnlineU and

# 1 SR Education in 2020
*From a research on 1943
Universities

Ranked among the Top 10% Schools in the US

10% by CollegeFactual in 2022

80% faculty members are San Franciso-based

80% practicing professionals

Located in downtown San Francisco among offices of

Salesforce, LinkedIn, Meta, Amazon and more

Accreditations
and Associations

Ranking
About upGrad
upGrad is an online education Wharton, Liverpool John Moores
platform to help individuals develop University, and University of Maryland
their professional potential in the among others. upGrad has been
most engaging learning environment Ranked #1 in the LinkedIn Top Start-ups
through a wide range of programs for four consecutive years, it made it to
designed to improve their expertise. the GSV Global EdTech 50 List 2020, it
upGrad collaborates with top-class received the Best Communication and
universities across the world including Teaching Platform in the Education
the University of Arizona, Caltech, Innovation Awards 2020.
Purdue, IIIT Bangalore, Deakin
Business School,

20M+ 2M+ 100+ 7 years

hours of learning learners countries of existence

Through our association with Golden

Gate University, San Francisco, upGrad

endeavors to facilitate continuing

education for working professionals

Phalgun Kompalli throughout their careers. The pedagogy,

program structure and delivery of these

Co-founder
programs from the innovation capital of

the world is our key differentiator.

Who is this Program for?

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program is designed

for professionals who want to further their career with the most
advanced business degree program GGU offers. The DBA program
addresses the learning needs and objectives of senior business
managers, consultants and university professors. Its primary objective
is to produce graduates who can contribute to the advancement of
their professions and to the expansion of knowledge and awareness
of contemporary strategic issues and practices.

Senior-level professionals: VPs, SVPs, Directors, and senior product

managers seeking to address industry challenges through in-depth
research and innovative solutions

CXOs: Leaders in core business functions aiming to drive business

transformation through technology and digital leadership

Entrepreneurs: Founders of product or service-based startups looking to

enhance workforce productivity and innovate their business models using
digital technologies
Program Highlights

Accreditation Live Interactive Interact with

Classes Global Leaders

WASC Accredited | WES Academic support Network with Golden

Equivalency | AACSB offered from faculty Gate University’s
Member | AIU Associate members, teaching 70,000+ alumni base
Member assistants, and your which includes legal
peers across the world. experts, entrepreneurs,
mayors, NASA
astronauts, scholars,
practitioners and
C-suite professionals of
global organizations.

Skills Based Academic

Curriculum Credentials

Prepare to tackle real Earn the same U.S.

world business Degree awarded
problems with a on campus.
unique curriculum that
incorporates theory
alongside practical
and relevant industry
knowledge.
Key USPs
1. Kick-off ceremony
1-day Orientation in Mumbai where learners will be introduced
to the program's curriculum, peers, and faculty.

2. STEER Coaching (Scan > Tailor > Engage > Enrich > Reinforce)
Learners will participate in immersive sessions with reflection,
practice, and skill-building to improve leadership and business
performance.
Scan: Manager, Peer, Direct reporter and Self-feedback to
identify growth areas (CliftonStrengthsTM)
Tailor: Guided prompts via email
Engage 6 1:1 sessions with coaches on growth areas, action
plans for growth, mindful leadership, etc.
Enrich: Tools and Frameworks to help coachees with their
growth
Reinforce: Activities to guide learners to implement learnings

3. Thrive Cast
Get an opportunity to build a video of your personal and
professional journey in a professionally-shot yet conversational
format.
Sample

4. Research Workshops
Engage in 12 hands-on workshops designed to enhance
research skills through interactive activities.
5. Book club sessions
Participate in reflective discussions led by industry leaders
focusing on relevant books in the field. The program comprises
eight 1.5-hour sessions dedicated to book discussions. Additionally,
learners will receive physical copies of seven books at the
beginning of the program.

6. Leadership Masterclasses
6 online masterclasses with top industry experts, CXOs,
policymakers, etc.

7. C-Suite Collective: Small-Group Sessions with Industry Experts

Small-group sessions with top industry experts discussing topics
related to trends and pivots in the industry

8. Co-Author Editorials/Op-Eds
Learners will get a chance to collaborate as co-author on op-eds
and editorials featured in online editions of prominent media
publications.

9. Immersions
Week-long immersions during the course of the program featuring
top academicians and industry experts. The immersion will include
panel discussions, industry visits, and more.
Student Learning Outcomes

Opportunity to publish a book/build a business plan in the

program: Unlike a conventional doctoral program, this program will
allow learners to get their doctorates by converting their research into
a book or by building a business plan. Learners will get access to a
book-writing coach or a consultant to aid them in this journey.

Opportunity to be appointed adjunct faculty with GGU: Upon

successful completion, participants become eligible for adjunct faculty
positions at GGU. Support will be offered by providing a clear pathway
for learners to become adjuncts and build academic/teaching portfolio
– teaching bootcamps, opportunity to conduct learning hours for uG
programs, publishing opportunities in top journals, etc
Faculty

Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha

Founding Dean of the Indian School of Business (ISB)
Cofounder of Harappa Education; Founder and Trustee at
Ashoka University
Former Partner at McKinsey & Co
PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of
Pennsylvania

Dr. Baba Prasad

Wharton PhD in Operations and Information Management
President & CEO at Vivekin Group
Author of the book "Nimble: How Intelligence Can Create
Agile Companies and Wise Leaders."
Also held faculty positions at Purdue, Minnesota, University
of North Carolina and IIIT Hyderabad

Dr. Prabhu Aggarwal

President of NIIT University and Vice-Chancellor at Bennett
University
Previously held positions as Chief Learning Officer at Jindal
Steel & Power Ltd and Assistant Professor at Washington
Business School
Accomplished author, speaker, consultant, and researcher in
higher education leadership
Faculty

Dr. Ira Chatterjee

Experienced academic and educator with a current role as
Assistant Professor at VU Amsterdam
PhD from Hanken School of Economics and MBA from
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
Extensive teaching background and prior managerial roles
at ITC Limited

Academic Advisory Board

Dr. Mick McGee

Director of Doctor of Business Administration at Golden
Gate University for 21 years
An army veteran who served in the US military for over 20
years
Previous roles include AVP at HSBC and Deputy Director at
US Naval Postgraduate School

Dr. Dakshinamurthy Kolluru

Cofounder, INSOFE
Recognised work with Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam earned Binani
Gold Medal
Among India's top 10 Analytics Academicians
Holds an MS and PhD from Carnegie Mellon University
Industry Experts

Ronnie Screwvala
Chairperson and Co-founder of upGrad
Pioneer in the media industry: Founder of UTV Motion
Pictures
Co-founder of The Swades Foundation, dedicated to
transforming rural lives in India
Has been named on Esquire's List of the ‘75 Most Influential
People of the 21st Century’ & ranked 78 among the ‘100
Most Influential People in the World’ on the Time 100.

Keshav Murugesh
Group Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of
Directors of WNS
Member of The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) CEO Council and
has been the Chairman of NASSCOM for 2019-2020
Member, Advisory Board, Atlas Skilltech University
Awarded ‘Outstanding CEO’ at the Asia Pacific
Entrepreneurship Awards, 2015 and won the coveted ‘India
Disruptor of the Year’ award at the CNBC-TV18 India
Business Leader Awards, 2018.

Rajan Anandan
Managing Director, PeakXV Partners (formerly Sequoia
Capital)
Has held senior leadership positions at Google, Microsoft
and Dell
Won the IMPACT Person of the Year, 2018 Award for for
being a change-maker in India’s digital ecosystem, growing
Internet adoption and making ‘Internet for every Indian’ his
mission
Industry Experts

Adil Zainulbhai
Chairman of the Capacity Building Commission
Chairman, Network 18 | Former Chairman, Quality
Council of India | Former McKinsey India MD
Board Member, Open Network For Digital Commerce
(ONDC)
Co-edited the book, ‘Reimagining India’ which featured 60
authors including prominent businessmen, academics,
economists, authors and journalists

CP Gurnani
Former MD and CEO Tech Mahindra
Chairman, Board of Governors at IIM Nagpur
Recognised with the CEO’s Choice ‘Lifetime Achievement
Award’ 2021 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award
from the Hyderabad Software Enterprises’ Association
(HYSEA) in 2024

Peyush Bansal
Established Lenskart in 2010
As CEO, he transformed it into India's fastest-growing
eyewear business, valued at over $4.5 billion.
Listed in Fortune India's 'Best 40 under 40 entrepreneurs in
2019
STEER Coaches

Nirupama Subramaniam
Leadership Development Expert with a focus on enabling
personal growth along with business impact through
customized interventions
Co-founder of Growing Leadership of Women (GROW)
Adjunct Faculty and Coach at the McKinsey & Co for
Leadership Development

Prashant Sharma
ICF-ACC accredited Executive & Business Coach, DiSC
Certified Trainer, and Master Facilitator with over 23 years
of deep corporate and entrepreneurial experience
Visiting faculty panel of Premier Govt. training institutions,
top leadership, and HR forums
Founder, Zebra Technologies and NIWAS

Feroza Engineer
Associate Certified Coach - International Coaching
Federation (ACC
Over 15 years of professional experience in the leadership
and development industry
Has worked with over 250 organizations and created
learning architecture for esteemed organizations.
Program Curriculum Construct
A unique program construct focussed on relevant skills for digital-first
leaders

The program is divided into coursework phase (1 year) and dissertation

phase (2 years)

The key coursework focus areas are strategy and innovation,

business/digital transformation, leadership and personal branding, and
research.

The program will cover the below courses –

Strategic Foresight and Planning: Learners will master how to

leverage the power of foresight, redefine foundational frameworks,

and orchestrate digital transformation to prosper amidst business

fluctuations. They'll learn to create sustainable, resilient strategies and

harness collaborative networks for a competitive edge.

Implementing Innovation Strategies: Participants will acquire the

skills to cultivate an innovation-driven culture, implement robust
strategic frameworks, and put customer-centric innovation at the
heart of the business. They'll learn to lead and sustain innovation
teams and initiatives effectively.

AI Transformation Blueprint: Future leaders will learn to evaluate

their organisation's readiness for AI, conduct comprehensive digital

transformation audits, and integrate generative AI tools. They'll

discover how to create AI-driven business models focusing on ethical

considerations and regulatory compliance.

Leading Organizational Transformation: Aspiring change-makers will gain

expertise in building high-performing teams and shaping positive organisational

cultures. They'll learn to navigate through change and disruption, using

emotional intelligence and crisis management to drive sustainable

organisational change.

Data-Driven and Bias-Proof Decision-Making: Learners will develop the ability

to empower decision-making with evidence-based insights, employing

advanced analytics. They'll become adept at de-biasing the decision-making

process and fostering an objective, data-driven organisational culture.

Mastering Personal Influence: Individuals will enhance their executive presence,

mastering the art of persuasion and storytelling. They will learn to negotiate

through conflict and build their digital and cultural influence, ensuring they leave

an impactful executive impression.

Doctoral Research Methods and Analysis: Scholars will delve into the realm of

research methods, learning to identify pertinent research problems and

conducting thorough literature reviews. They will learn to select and apply the

appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods for robust academic

inquiry.
 Program Curriculum
Course No Course Topics

Strategic Foundations for the Future:

Core Frameworks Redefined
Digital Transformation Strategies:
Success in the Networked Economy
Agility and Resilience: Thriving in
TBD Strategic Foresight and
Planning Business Turbulence Sustainability
and ESG Strategies: Business in
Harmony with the Planet
Collaboration and Ecosystems:
Leveraging Networks for Competitive
Advantage
Foresight and Scenario Planning:
Crafting the Future of Business

Strategic Innovation Planning and

Frameworks for Innovation
Fostering and Innovation Culture
Innovation and Customer Centricity
TBD Implementing
Innovation Strategies Strategies for Innovation Management
Financing and Scaling Innovation
Leading Innovation Teams
Implementing and Sustaining
Innovation
 Program Curriculum
Course No Course Topics

AI-Readiness Framework: Assessing

Organisational Readiness to Adopting
AI
Digital Transformation Audit:
Implementing a Digital
Transformation Checklist + Tech Stack
for Generative AI Applications
Choosing a Digital Transformation
Path: Integrating
Organisational/Industry Wisdom to
Digital Transformation
Industry-Based Frameworks for Digital
TBD AI Transformation Transformation: Gartner/McKinsey
Blueprint: Strategies framework for digital transformation,
for a Digital Future Frameworks for Identifying Generative
AI Opportunities
Practical Tools for Productivity
Enhancement: Incorporating
generative AI tools like Chrome
extensions and automation with agent
chains for enhanced decision-making
and productivity
Building AI-Driven Business Models:
Synthesizing "Building AI-Driven
Business Models" and "Strategic
Implications of AI in Business" to craft
strategies that leverage AI for
competitive advantage, decision-
making, and cost optimization
Responsible AI: Ethics, Bias, Regulation
 Program Curriculum
Course No Course Topics

Building High-Performing Teams:

Cultivating Team Dynamics
Cultivating a Positive Organisational
Culture: Shaping Leadership Cultures
Leading Through Change and
Disruption: Navigating Organizational
Change
Frameworks for Bringing about
Organizational Change
TBD Leading Organizational
Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and
Transformation
Organizational Change: Assessing
Organizational Change through the
lens of CAS
Emotional Intelligence for Effective
Leadership: Integrating EI into your
Leadership
Crisis Management and Resilience:
Building and Sustaining
Organisational Resilience

Evidence-Driven Decision Making:

Empowering Data-Backed Insights
Analytical Techniques for Business
Decisions: Distilling Insights from Data
Integrating Storytelling for Data-
Backed Decisions: Building an
TBD Data-Driven and Effective Narrative to Communicate
Bias-Proof Decision- Data-Backed Insights
Making De-Biasing Decisionmaking:
Identifying and Mitigating Biases in
Decision-Making
Building a Culture of Objective
Decision Making: Championing a
Data-Backed and Bias-Proof Decision
Making Culture
 Program Curriculum
Course No Course Topics

Principles of Persuasion: Mastering

Persuasive Techniques
Storytelling and Narrative Building:
Crafting Compelling Narratives
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution:
Mastering Personal Unblocking Complex Scenario
TBD
Influence: Highlighting Executive Presence: Elevating
Your Executive Presence
Executive Impressions
Digital Influence: Expanding Effective
Digital Footprints
Cultural Intelligence: Bridging Cultural
Divides

Introduction to Research
Identifying a Research Problem
Doctoral Research
DBA 805 Conducting a Literature Review
Methods and Analysis
Choosing a Research Method
Quantitative Research Methods
Qualitative Research Methods
 Program Details

Program Start Date Program Duration

Please refer to the website 36 months
for the program start dates

Program Fee Eligibility

Please refer to the program Master's Degree (or equivalent)
page for more details or Bachelor's Degree with 10+
years work experience.
Life at Golden Gate
University - San Francisco

The GGU campus is in the heart of San Francisco’s thriving high-tech and
financial district, an epicenter of global innovation. With neighbors like
Salesforce, LinkedIn, Airbnb, Pinterest, and Twitter, a GGU degree helps
unlock opportunities with the world’s leading employers. San Francisco
consistently ranks among the best cities in the U.S. and the world. Home
to a booming economy, delightful weather, world class food, arts and
culture, plus endless options for active outdoor living, the Bay Area is one
of America’s most popular cities to visit, work, and live. Our notable alumni
are leaders in business, tax, law, technology, government, healthcare and
higher education across the globe.
Immersion program
GGU's immersion program offers technology and consulting firms. An
students an opportunity to study on in-person immersion is ideal for a
the San Francisco’s campus. student who is ready to take their
Nestled in the financial district, career to the next level and impact
GGU’s campus is surrounded by their industry in a meaningful way on
some of the top global a global scale.

Learn from scholar professionals Take advantage of world-

with work experience in the San class art, culture, and food in
Francisco Bay Area, including San Francisco
Silicon Valley

Network with GGU GGU will share the

faculty who can guide immersion calendar at the
your career start of the program

On campus classes with Offered twice annually,

other GGU students with dates added at the
start of each program
term

Network with a diverse

group of students from
over 48 countries
A glimpse of the
upGrad platform

Teaching Faculty

Learning Platform Navigation

*Note: Images here are not a reflection of this program.

Please reach out to an admissions counselor for a real-time demonstration of the learning
platform.
Career Support
We maintain a steadfast commitment to supporting Golden Gate University
students on their career journeys. We strive to help graduates find meaningful,
impactful work that will further their goals.

With GGU's industry network from the San Francisco Bay Area, including leading
Silicon Valley and Fortune 500 companies, our career services program offers a
wide range of services.

Available to GGU students:

1:1 Mentorship
- Guidance on career paths offered from corporate experts in
a variety of fields
- Career coaches offer overall personal and professional growth

Profile Building
Resources available for resume building, LinkedIn profile updates,
job searches, interview preparation, and salary negotiation

Global Network
Access to 300+ upGrad's hiring partners and GGU's San Francisco-based
network of more than 50,000 alumni on LinkedIn

Continued Access
- Access to career coaches and industry connection sessions
following program completion
- Accelerated career growth prospects through mentors

Company-specific Presentation
Get company specific guidance to ensure that you’re interview ready
 upgrad.com

For further details, contact

[email protected] +91-804-560-4032
*For International Residents

+91-8068-792-911 *We are available 24*7

*For Indian Residents Only

upGrad Education Private Limited. Nishuvi, 75, Dr. Annie Besant Road
Worli, Mumbai - 400018, India.