Doctor of Business Administration
Studying Options

Yes, there is a doctoral program that is trustworthy, of academic excellence, and affordable.

weekly live classes
25 SEATS
Agreements and Partnerships
Differentials
Licensing and Accreditation
Testimonials
Faculty
Curriculum
Investment
FAQ
Differentials

Discover a new approach to education that blends the strengths of traditional learning with the flexibility of online access and an international experience in Orlando, FL, all at an affordable cost.

1 - Trust
2 - Quality
3 - Accessible
1
Trust

Licensing in the USA and
Possibility of degree validation in Brazil

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program can be completed in a hybrid format with in-person sessions in Orlando, FL, or fully online. Upon graduation, students earn a U.S. doctoral degree: Doctor of Business Administration, awarded by Ambra University, which is licensed in the United States by the Florida Department of Education (License #CIE-4001).

In addition, the American doctoral degree from Ambra may be eligible for validation in Brazil under Article 48 of Law No. 9,394, dated December 20, 1996, allowing for a “dual-nationality” diploma.

The doctoral program is newly launched and does not yet have graduates; therefore, no requests for degree validation in Brazil have been submitted. However, Ambra has numerous master’s program alumni who have successfully obtained validation of their American degrees in Brazil.

Find out about the many success stories of Ambra's master's degree validation in Brazil and other information on this topic by clicking on this link

15 years of history

Ambra University was founded in 2010 and has impacted more than 1,300 students throughout its history, initially through undergraduate programs, followed by master’s programs launched in 2018, and, since 2025, doctoral programs.

Watch the historic moment when Ambra was granted University status by the Florida Department of Education in 2019.

Campus in Downtown Orlando

Ambra University has been physically located at the same address in downtown Orlando since its founding and undergoes an annual in-person inspection by the Florida Department of Education.

Our offices are located at Executive Suites at 37 North Orange Avenue Suite 500, and the headquarters offer dedicated office, conference rooms, lounge, kitchen, restrooms, and count with technical and administrative support to students. Check out the entrance of the building where Ambra is located.

Large in-person academic activities are conducted using Orlando’s hotel network.

Are you in Orlando? Schedule a visit and come talk in person!

Some examples from over 100 testimonials and interviews with students and professors

Watch more testimonials on our YouTube channel!

“Ambra attracts a distinguished student body of individuals with expertise, experience, and diverse backgrounds. This has consistently enriched the learning environment. Beyond the coursework itself, the cohort stands out as exceptional."

Rafael Schveitzer (Operations Manager at FIESC – SESI and master's student at Ambra)

“If I had the chance to go back, I would do exactly the same thing. Ambra was worth every cent, every day, every hour of study, and it will continue to be worth it for a long time to come.”

Jéssica Resende (financial, administrative and HR manager and master's student at Ambra)

“Ambra uses methods that actively push you to grow. It could simply deliver the content and assess whether you've absorbed it, but it goes further, encouraging and even requiring you to develop.”

Martiniano Lewer (Operational Manager and Master's student at Ambra)

30 days risk-free financially for those approved in the selection process

We want you to have peace of mind when trying whether Ambra is the right institution for what you are looking for.

At Ambra University, students approved into the application process have the first month of classes to get to know the program and the institution. If the student decides to cancel their enrollment during the first month of classes, they just need to send a request by email within the deadline and Ambra will refund all amounts paid for the enrollment.

2
Quality

PhD professors who will know you by name!

Professors who will know you by your name, will talk with you, will grade your assignments, and will interact with you in classes of 30 students.

At Ambra University, a professor is not just a celebrity who records online classes and doesn't even know who are the thousands of students who watched them.

Here, we don't work with tutors who you have no idea who they are or their qualifications, but only with the excellent professors listed below who give you individualized attention.

Dalton Cusciano, PhD.
Prosecutor at the Jorge Duprat Figueiredo Foundation for Occupational Safety and Medicine (Fundacentro); more than 15 years of experience in law and administration; post-doctorate at the Mediterranea International Center for Human Rights Research at the Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, doctorate in public administration and government from FGV/SP, master's degree in law and development from FGV/SP, bachelor's degree in law from FGV/SP.
Curriculum

Éderson Porto, PhD.
Partner at Porto, Ustárroz & Dall’Agnol Advogados; more than 20 years of experience in law in the areas of tax, compliance, governance, and startups; professor of the professional master's degree in business and business law at Unisinos; author of several books; postdoctoral fellow, Visiting Scholar, at the UC Berkeley School of Law; Doctorate in Law from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS; Master's Degree in Law from UFRGS; Bachelor of Laws from PUC-RS.
Curriculum

Edilberto Lima, PhD.
Re-elected President of the Rui Barbosa Institute (2022/2023 and 2024/2025) and Ombudsman of the Court of Auditors of the State of Ceará (2024/2025); over 20 years of experience in public policies and served as a legislative consultant in the Chamber of Deputies; post-doctorate in democracy and human rights from the University of Coimbra, PhD in economics from the University of Brasília (UnB), master's degree in economics from the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), specialist in Public Policies from George Washington University (USA), bachelor's degree in economics from UFC and bachelor's degree in law from the University of Fortaleza (Unifor).
Curriculum

Felipe Asensi, PhD.
Creator of the 1 in 10 method, used by over 6,200 academics from all fields in 32 countries. Lawyer and consultant in the areas of academic careers and legal entrepreneurship; over 20 years of teaching and research experience; member of the Superior Council of CAED-Jus/CAEduca; postdoctoral degree in law from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), PhD in sociology (UERJ), Master's degree in sociology (UERJ), bachelor's degree in law from the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), and bachelor's degree in social sciences (UERJ).
Curriculum

Fernando Meneguin, PhD.
Legislative Consultant at the Federal Senate (Brazil), partner at Pakt Consultoria e Assessoria and lawyer; more than 20 years of experience in legislative consultancy, especially the economic analysis of law, public policy evaluation, and forensics; post-doctorate in law and economics from the University of Berkeley in the USA, post-doctorate in political science from UFMG, doctorate in economics from the University of Brasília (UnB), master's in public sector economics from UnB, bachelor's degree in mathematics from UnB and bachelor's degree in Foreign Legal Studies from Ambra University in the USA.
Curriculum

Jorge Vieira, PhD.
Business consultant, partner at Opus Consultoria, over 30 years of experience in business management and consulting, having worked in companies such as GFK Brasil, Banco De Lage Landen, Organizações Globo, Novartis in the USA; Doctorate in Political Sociology from PUC-SP, Master's in Administration from PUC-SP, Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of São Paulo (USP).
Curriculum

José Barros Filho, PhD.
Over 25 years of experience in business consulting and business and leadership development at companies such as EMBRACO, Hering Têxtil, WEG Motores, AUDI/Volkswagen, Embraer, Volvo, Syngenta, Banco do Brasil Corporate, Suzano, HSM Educação Executiva, and others; PhD and Master's degrees in Production Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) and a degree in Mechanical Engineering from UFSC.
Curriculum

Michael Hogan, JD.
Chief Compliance Officer at Charles Schwab Investment Mgmt, Managing Director at Charles Schwab & Co. and US attorney; over 35 years of experience in the global financial industry in the areas of compliance, risk management, banking, and legal at companies such as Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., Wellington Management Company LLP, and Charles Schwab; Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School, MA from Lindenwood University and BA from Bates College; holds the FINRA Series 7 license.

Julio Carneiro Cunha.

Editor-chefe da BJMkt (Brazilian Journal of Marketing) e editor associado dos periódicos IJBG (International Journal of Business and Globalisation), CGG (Contabilidade, Gestão e Governança) REGEPE (Revista de Empreendedorismo e Gestão de Pequenas Empresas. Possui doutorado em Administração pela Universidade de São Paulo (2011); mestrado em Administração de Organizações pela Universidade de São Paulo (2006), graduação em Administração de Empresas pela Universidade de Ribeirão Preto (2004), Ciências Contábeis pela Universidade de São Paulo (2010) e Marketing pela Universidade de São Paulo (2016).
Curriculum

Luciana Ribeiro Chalela, PhD.
Professor at the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos, UNISINOS. Consultant at Maestri Financial Intelligence, MAESTRI, Brazil. PhD in Business Administration with an emphasis on financial markets and corporate finance. Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Caxias do Sul, UCS, Brazil. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Caxias do Sul, UCS, Brazil.
Curriculum

Marco Borges, PhD.
Consultant in innovation and digital transformation, more than 20 years of experience as a Consultant and Professor in the areas of Innovation, Digitization, Operations and Process Management and Operational Excellence; also acts as an international auditor for companies such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Oracle. Doctorate in Administration from the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS); Master's Degree in Production Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS); bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM).
Curriculum

Mauro Maia Laruccia, PhD.
Ad Hoc Evaluator for INEP/MEC and CEE/SP. Professor at FEA/PUCSP. Employee of FUNDACENTRO of the Ministry of Economy. PhD in Communication and Semiotics from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo. Master in Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo. Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo.
Curriculum

Yes, you will interact with the professors above!

Enough of mass distance learning with recorded classes and poorly qualified tutors who you don't know who they are at the time of enrollment.

At Ambra, you will be closely guided only by professors with doctorates and extensive professional experience.

Attention: you will only take the next step in your career if you receive feedback from teachers who know more than you in their areas of expertise.

Curriculum

The program consists of 20 curricular components, each worth 4.5 credits, totaling 90 credits. The recommended completion time is 3 to 4 years.

The doctoral research and dissertation are conducted within the area of business administration chosen by each candidate, to significantly advance their depth of knowledge, research skills, and ability to produce and disseminate scholarly work.

Specialized courses are individually recommended to each doctoral candidate after admission, ensuring that the selected curriculum provides meaningful personal and professional development.

Management metaknowledge courses
Specialized courses
Science and research courses
Courses on teaching and guided practice*

* at the discretion of the doctoral student, these subjects may be replaced by specialized subjects.

Components of the doctoral dissertation

A revolutionary teaching method featuring weekly live classes and in-person activities in Orlando.

An example of a master's thesis defense is by Euclides de Almeida Silva Filho (lawyer), a master's graduate from Ambra.

Throughout our doctoral program you will count on

200h

200 hours of in-person activities in Orlando (hybrid students)

900h
900 hours of
live classes
300

300 live class sessions featuring
in-depth discussions.

Opportunity to write between 1 and 7 chapters of a book authored by you.

Opportunity to publish 15 scientific articles.

Opportunity to be the organizer of 1 to 3 books.

17

17 oral debates or presentations.

Individual advisor for the production of the doctoral dissertation.

1 doctoral
dissertation.

Prepared and dedicated
faculty.

American
doctorate degree.

On-campus activities in Orlando

Hybrid program students participate in four one-week in-person sessions in Orlando, FL, designed to reinforce learning and provide an enriching international experience.

Online program students may choose to participate in optional in-person workshops held in Orlando.

See more information about the next event on this link.

See some highlights from previous editions

Ambra Conference 2024 Chat

Judge (TJ-PR Brazil) Andrei de Oliveira Rech - Master's student at Ambra University

Ambra Conference 2024 Chat

Fernando Meneguin, PhD, professor at Ambra University

Ambra Conference 2024 Chat

Edilberto Lima, PhD, professor at Ambra University and Instituto Rui Barbosa president – bienniums 2022/2023 and 2024/2025.

Ambra Conference 2024 Chat

Hamidy Kassmas, attorney and Master's student at Ambra University

3
Accessible

Um doutorado que se encaixa em sua rotina

Affordable investment

Ambra offers affordable tuition compared to other top-tier doctoral programs that provide expert faculty guidance, live classes in cohorts of 25 students, and support for doctoral dissertation development.

And remember, Ambra offers 30 days without financial risk for those approved in the application process! If you withdraw during the first month, Ambra will refund the admission fees.

Click on the “I’m interested” button below to contact us about next class prices, installments, and financing opportunities.

Next class
live classes
Investment (Hybrid Option)
48x of $875.63 USD, or
48x of R$4,684.59 BRL*

*option with a fixed dollar to real exchange rate of R$5.35 exclusive to the November 2025 class.

NOTE: Hybrid tuition fees do not include travel, accommodation, or food expenses.

Investment (Hybrid Option)
with the teaching and research scholarship*
48x of $700.50 USD, or
48x of R$3,747.68 BRL*

*option with a fixed dollar to real exchange rate of R$5.35 exclusive to the November 2025 class.

**scholarships are only for those who qualify for the scholarship criteria.

NOTE: Hybrid tuition fees do not include travel, accommodation, or food expenses.

Investment (Online Option)
48x of $729.38 USD, or
48x of R$3,902.16 BRL*

*option with a fixed dollar to real exchange rate of R$5.35 exclusive to the November 2025 class.

Investment (online option)
with the teaching and research scholarship*

48x of $583.50 USD, or
48x of R$3,121.73 BRL*

*option with a fixed dollar to real exchange rate of R$5.35 exclusive to the November 2025 class.

**scholarships are only for those who qualify for the scholarship criteria.

Scholarships

Ambra offers a limited number of scholarships of up to 20% for applicants in need of financial assistance. Scholarship requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on each candidate’s financial need, and are processed in the order received until available funding is exhausted. For more information, please contact us.

How to enroll

1

Apply to one of the seats.

2

Study during the 1 month trial without financial risk.

3

Earn a high-quality doctoral degree through flexible hybrid or fully online formats, designed to fit your schedule and pace.

Contact the admissions team to find out how to register for the application process, to receive the rules for the next application process and to find out more details about dates and payment options.

FAQ

Graduates of the program receive the American degree of Doctor of Business Administration issued by Ambra University.

Click any “I’m interested” button on this page and complete the form. Alternatively, you may contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or email using the contact details provided in the footer of this page.

Ambra offers courses in multiple languages: entirely in English, entirely in Portuguese, or in hybrid formats where assessments can be completed in either language.

You must be able to understand texts in English. Throughout the program, you will be required to read materials in English, and you should find a direct or indirect way to comprehend written content in the language.

Although optional, you should be able to communicate in English if you wish to actively participate in live classes conducted in English by American professors.

Any completed program at the master’s level.

Yes, provided that your institution has a direct agreement with Ambra University.

If your master’s degree was issued in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, or England, an equivalency evaluation is generally not required by most academic institutions (subject to Ambra’s review of your documentation). For degrees from other countries, you must obtain a credential equivalency report for a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an agency that is a member of theNational Association of Credential Evaluation Services – NACES. To do so, you should contact the selected agency directly to inquire about the procedures and fees for evaluating your documentation.

No. Ambra does not accept credit transfers for doctoral programs.

No. Although credit acceptance is determined by the receiving institution, students in this program should not expect to begin their doctoral studies at Ambra with the intention of completing them at another institution.

The average time commitment required is 15 hours per week over the course of 40 weeks per year.

The program can be completed in a hybrid format with in-person sessions in Orlando, FL, or entirely online.

No. It refers to a program delivered online using the CAP Method®, in which each student receives individualized support from a highly qualified professor through a coaching-like process. This approach incorporates formative assessment and deliberate practice to help each student achieve the specific goals set for each course, as well as the overall objectives of their chosen program.

Yes. The production of a doctoral dissertation is a required component for completing the program, along with other academic requirements. The dissertation must undergo a qualification process and be defended publicly before a final evaluation committee. Each doctoral candidate receives individualized guidance from an advisor throughout the dissertation development process.

Yes.
All students have the opportunity to write and publish articles in collaboration with faculty throughout the doctoral program.

No. Applicants are not required to contact faculty during the admissions process. Selection is carried out by a designated committee, and each student will have a specific point during the program to meet and choose their doctoral advisor.

No, knowing or having previously studied with one of the professors does not give you any advantage in the admissions process. Selection is based on the information and insights gathered throughout the admissions process by a designated committee, not by the faculty as a whole.

You will need to submit scanned copies of the following documents:

– Official photo identification document (e.g., passport, national ID, or driver’s license).
– Front and back of your master’s degree diploma.
– Official academic transcript from your master’s program (with the issuing institution’s signature and/or stamp).
– Final version of your master’s thesis in PDF format.
– Proof of address.
- Resume (PDF or MS Word).
- Admission Essay - template provided by Ambra.

Scanned documents must follow the specified standards on this link.

Please contact us to receive the admissions notice for the upcoming cohort, which contains further details.

It is a document to be written by the applicant and evaluated as part of the admissions process. The admission essay must follow specific guidelines and address questions that connect the applicant’s educational background, professional experience, and future projects with the pursuit of the doctorate at Ambra. Once registered, the applicant will receive instructions on how to submit the document after paying the application fee.

Yes. As long as you have successfully completed at least one course, you may request a temporary withdrawal. The maximum duration allowed for this withdrawal is up to 9 consecutive months.

The maximum time allowed to complete the program is 5 years from the date of enrollment, including any interruptions or temporary withdrawals.

Payments can be made using a U.S.-issued credit card, an internationally enabled credit card, or by sending funds to the United States. Transfers can be completed via bank transfer or boleto (a Brazilian payment method).

We offer research and teaching scholarship opportunities for those who meet the eligibility criteria. Please contact us for more information.

Yes, we offer the option to enroll as a non-degree doctoral student in select individual courses.

Yes. Ambra’s doctoral programs do not yet have graduates, but among our master’s students and alumni, there are several cases of individuals who have gone on to teach at various educational institutions.

No. Studying in Portuguese is simply an alternative to studying in English, it does not mean the program or institution is Brazilian.

Ambra University is an American institution based in Orlando, Florida, and is licensed by the Florida Department of Education (FL-DOE) under registration CIE#4001.

Ambra University is headquartered exclusively in Orlando, Florida (USA), and is licensed by the Florida Department of Education (FL-DOE) under registration number CIE-4001. You can learn more about how university licensing works in Florida.

The English term equivalent to the Portuguese term "credenciamento" in the context of a higher education institution is “license.” Licensing for private institutions based in Florida is issued by the Commission for Independent Education – Florida Department of Education. Ambra’s license number is CIE-4001 with the FL-DOE. You can learn more about university licensing and accreditation in Florida.

The Florida Department of Education (FL-DOE) provides the following link to view the list of approved programs offered by Ambra University:  FL-DOE Ambra Program List.

To join Ambra’s faculty, candidates must go through the faculty selection process.

No. Ambra has not yet applied for accreditation.

No. Accreditation in the United States is optional and carried out by independent private associations. Licensing, which is conducted by the government, is the only legal requirement for issuing American degrees.

Accreditation is a voluntary but very important step for a university. It serves as a quality assurance process conducted by an external, independent, non-governmental association composed of other educational institutions. Accreditation enhances the institution’s prestige within the United States, facilitates credit transfer and degree recognition among schools accredited by the same association, and enables access to U.S. federal student financial aid programs (Title IV).

en_US
Quero saber mais!

Preencha os campos abaixo para receber mais informações e entrar em contato com um consultor de admissões.

Ao submeter este formulário, você concorda que a Ambra University entre em contato com você e também com a nossa Política de Privacidade.

Vamos evitar desencontros?
Para sua maior conveniência, basta agendar o melhor horário para que entremos em contato com você.