You have the experience. You have led teams, shaped strategies, and made decisions that mattered. Yet one question keeps returning What is my next level? For many professionals, the answer is a doctorate. Not one built for academia, but one built for people who lead, build, and decide in the real world.
Unlike traditional academic doctoral programs, the DBA is designed specifically for business leaders, executives, professionals, consultants, and academicians who want to strengthen their strategic position in their industries.
With a curriculum that integrates entrepreneurial marketing strategy and sustainable agribusiness management, participants gain the knowledge, skills, and mindset to face industry disruption. A practice-dominant learning approach ensures every lesson can be implemented directly in the real world.
The short version
Three Degrees, Three Different Questions
A DBA sits beyond the MBA level and was first offered at Harvard Business School in the early 1950s. Where an MBA covers general management, a DBA lets you go deep into one area. And while both DBA and PhD are doctorates, they answer different questions: a PhD builds new theory, a DBA solves real business problems.
| Differentiation | DBA | PhD |
| Focus | Business, for more strategic positions | Academia, for academic careers |
| Approach | Applied research | Theoretical research |
| Suited for | Leaders, business owners, consultants, academicians, civil servants | Researchers and academicians |
| Publication | Not required | Required |
The Real Reasons Leaders Go Back to School
Reasons vary qualifying for a new position, becoming a recognized expert, mentoring the next generation of leaders, or finally tackling a problem your industry has faced for years. Along the way, you sharpen how you frame problems, find solutions, and communicate findings, an edge that helps whether you are up for a promotion or considering a move.
A doctorate may also support earning potential and job security. US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, cited by Coursera, shows doctorate holders in the US tend to earn more and face lower unemployment than bachelor’s and master’s holders. This is general US data, not specific to a DBA or Indonesia.
Built Around Your Calendar, Not the Other Way Around
The DBA in Agribusiness – Entrepreneurial Marketing, a collaboration between MarkPlus Institute and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is built for busy professionals:
- A real business case as your final project, with no journal publication required.
- Hybrid delivery, offline and online, so professionals across Indonesia can join.
- Taught in English, with a 3 to 5 year study period.
- Added access to MarkPlus events, e-learning, the MarkPlus and UGM libraries, and one of Indonesia’s largest marketing communities.
Entrepreneurial marketing, its core discipline, is the ability to spot opportunities and create value in a fast-changing market. It is useful whether you run a company, consult, or work in government.
Your Path In From Application to Interview
Admission opens every February and September. The program suits motivated professionals with a master’s degree, preferably from a university with at least a B accreditation. You will need your original transcript, an academic potential test score of at least 500 (UGM or BAPPENAS), a valid IELTS/TOEFL certificate (both within 2 years), and two confidential recommendations. Shortlisted candidates then take a substantive test: an interview and a presentation of thesis ideation. Tuition is Rp 35,000,000 per semester for 43 credits.
Not Sure Yet? Bring Your Questions
Explore the strategic advantages of a DBA and how applied research and entrepreneurial marketing can turn real challenges into market opportunities.
“Why Agribusiness? Bridging Research & Marketing for a Sustainable Future (DBA vs. PhD)”
Guest Speaker : Topan Perkasa H., S.E., M.Ikom, HR Learning & Development Head, Panin Dubai Syariah
Date : Friday, 2 October 2026
Time : 15.00 – 16.00 WIB
Format : Online via Zoom
Register now : https://tinyurl.com/DBAAEMForum
Want to know more? Contact Cindy at MarkPlus Institute via WhatsApp at +62 821-8103-4350, email [email protected], or follow @markplusinstitute on Instagram.
