doctorate in business administration student studying

Executive DBA: Is It Worth It and Should You Do It?

You’ve reached a point where you’ve built an accomplished career and have made your mark in leadership. The question now is: how do you extend that influence? How do you contribute thought leadership that shapes industries, policies, and organizations for the future? For many senior executives, this is the moment to pursue an Executive DBA.

In this blog, we’ll talk about why many executives pursue an EDBA and whether an Executive DBA is worth it for you at this point in your career.

What is a Doctor in Business Administration?

The Executive Doctor in Business Administration (EDBA) is a practice-focused doctoral program that equips senior leaders to solve complex, real-world business challenges. Unlike traditional PhDs that focus on purely academic research, the DBA blends advanced research methodologies with executive-level insights, empowering professionals to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions they can apply directly in their organizations. 

At the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), the EDBA is designed for experienced managers, executives, and entrepreneurs who want to elevate their decision-making, influence policy, and create lasting impact in their industries.

Is an Executive DBA Worth It?

The simple answer is YES.

Here are four key factors that can help you determine if an executive DBA will be worth it for you:

1. Strong Research Skills Toward Thought Leadership

An Executive DBA enables executives to develop advanced research skills and deep expertise in their chosen domain.

The program goes beyond traditional business education, empowers leaders to contribute to the advancement of business and management thinking. 

Our focus on practical theory and research positions executives toward becoming thought leaders that generate innovative insights and make lasting impact within their organizations and beyond.

business administration experts talking

2. Strengthened Network

An AIM DBA cohort is made up of senior leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers from diverse industries and geographies. This network not only broadens your perspectives but also opens opportunities for collaborations, partnerships, and business ventures that extend beyond the classroom.

AIM also builds student groups with diversity in mind, so you’re surrounded by people who challenge your thinking and broaden your perspectives.

Many Executive DBA alumni say that their network became one of their most significant professional assets after completing the program.

3. Personal Development

A DBA transforms the individual. The program is designed to challenge you to rethink your leadership style, expand your worldview, and make decisions more strategically. Executive coaching, leadership modules, advanced research, and international immersions all contribute to deeper self-awareness and maturity in decision-making.

Who Should Do an Executive DBA?

The Executive Doctor in Business Administration program is specifically designed for seasoned C-suite professionals, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs who are already in mid- to senior-level roles, typically with 10 or more years of work experience. That said, the professionals who are more likely to maximize a doctorate degree are:

  • Leaders managing complexity and change in their organization or industry
  • Executives looking to transition into regional or global responsibilities 
  • Leaders who want to expand research and influence policy in a niche in their field.
  • Entrepreneurs professionalizing or scaling their operations 
  • Entrepreneurs seeking advanced business training to scale or modernize operations 
  • Consultants who want to deepen their business and management expertise

These professionals usually have strong domain expertise but seek broader strategic insight, refined leadership skills, and gain highest-level credentials.

a doctorate in business administration student

What Makes the AIM Executive DBA Worth It?

The AIM Executive Doctorate in Business Administration offers working professionals a program that delivers immediate value—personally, professionally, and regionally.

  • Hybrid Format: A balanced mix of weekend in-person sessions and online modules allows you to pursue a doctorate degree without stepping away from your career. This setup supports both flexibility and focus.
  • ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Focus: The curriculum centers on emerging markets in the region, using case studies, simulations, and discussions that reflect the realities of doing business in Southeast Asia and beyond.
  • Peer-Driven Learning: Be part of a cohort of executives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers from various industries. The diversity of experience leads to deeper, more practical insights inside and outside the classroom.
  • Practice-Oriented Research: Students are guided through structured research stages that allow them to design and implement studies directly relevant to their industries. This approach develops an appreciation for data-driven decision-making among graduates.
  • Executive Coaching: Personalized mentorship is built into the program to help you reflect on your leadership style, make meaningful adjustments, and apply new concepts directly at work.

Each of these elements is designed to help you grow into a transformative leader without pressing pause on your career.

When is the Right Time to Take an Executive DBA?

Timing can significantly impact your Executive DBA experience and outcomes. Here’s how you know when an Executive DBA may be worth it for you:

  • You see an opportunity to advance your career that requires an Executive DBA.
  • You want to improve the way you lead your organization.You’re considering a shift into higher level leadership, policy-making, or entrepreneurship. 
  • Your company is undergoing transformation, and you want to stay ahead of the curve. 

It doesn’t matter what age you’re in when you decide to pursue an EDBA. Many EDBA candidates are in their mid-30s to early 40s. What’s more important is your readiness to commit to the program and apply what you learn in real time.

doctorate in business administration students having a discussion

Is an Executive DBA Your Next Step?

An Executive DBA does more than add letters after your name. It challenges the way you think, leads you to approach leadership differently, and connects you with people who can open doors you didn’t know existed. 

It’s not a small commitment. However, for many who take that step, it ends up being a turning point in their professional life. If you’ve ever asked yourself if an Executive DBA is worth it, the answer is often YES, but also comes down to timing, readiness, and the drive to move forward with purpose. For some leaders, that readiness is built on earlier experience with MBA programs, which provides a strong management foundation that often precedes doctoral-level study.

The Asian Institute of Management understands the ambition that drives leaders like you. Through our Executive DBA program, we provide not just world-class instruction, but a community of peers and mentors who push you to grow. Whether you aim to lead a multinational organization, start your own enterprise, or create impact in your field, an Executive DBA can help turn your next big move into reality.

To learn more about our EDBA program, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.