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Executive Management

PhD in Executive Management

“Knowledge is different from all other resources. It makes itself constantly obsolete.” – Peter Drucker

What Comes After Success?

In today’s fast-paced world, accomplished executives like you must continuously evolve to stay ahead. That’s why our groundbreaking PhD in Executive Management (EPhD) program has been reinvented to cater to a new generation of leaders. With a 40-year history of providing doctoral education to executives, the EPhD empowers you to build on your accomplishments and experience by delving into personally relevant questions facing business, management, and society. By joining our trailblazing program, you become part of a special cohort of forward-thinking professionals dedicated to transforming business and society. Guided by Drucker’s enduring philosophy and supported by our world-class faculty, you will explore transformative ideas that can create a lasting impact.

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A Unique Learning Experience Tailored for You

The Drucker School and its programs, including the EPhD, are grounded in the philosophy of Peter F. Drucker, widely regarded as the father of modern management. Distinct among business schools, the Drucker School views management as fundamental to human achievement and emphasizes the importance of good management for a functioning society. The EPhD embodies this philosophy by blending theory and practice, aimed at studying a business, management, or social issue in-depth. You will receive personalized guidance from dedicated faculty advisors, ensuring a unique and unparalleled learning experience tailored to your individual goals.

The Next Journey for Visionary Leaders

A doctorate from the Drucker School represents excellence in leadership and management research and practice. As an academic, writer, and scholar, Peter Drucker’s work has left an indelible impact on the field of management. He joined the Claremont Graduate University in the early 1970s, and for nearly 20 years, he and CGU faculty offered the EPhD program, with the first students graduating in 1984. Although many business schools offer similar programs, such as the “DBA,” the EPhD at Drucker has a distinguished and unique history as the oldest program of its kind. The newly reimagined program is tailored to meet the needs of today’s top executives, providing the Drucker Edge and empowering you to join the distinguished ranks of visionary leaders who have shaped the future of business and society.

Program Highlights
  • The Drucker Edge: Building on Peter Drucker’s management principles and his legacy of innovation, the EPhD is tailored for visionary leaders seeking to make a lasting impact by shaping contemporary business management practices.
  • Flexible and Customized The newly reimagined EPhD is a hybrid program tailored for experienced executives working full time with completion within 3 years.
  • Real-World Impact: The EPhD, in contrast to traditional PhD programs focused on the advancement of theory, seeks to advance the practice of management. World-class faculty with extensive academic and practical expertise guide top executives to address important practical issues with rigorous research.
  • Your degree is AACSB accredited—the highest standard for business education.

 

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PRME - Principles for Responsible Management Education - Logo

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Program At-a-glance

  • 64 units

    required units

  • PhD in Executive Management

    degree awarded

  • Hybrid

    modality

  • Spring, Fall

    program start

  • 3 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

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Adriana Leake

Assistant Director of Admissions

909-607-3310

Michael Mirabella

Director of Recruitment for the Drucker School of Management

909-607-9049

Faculty

  • David Sprott

    David Sprott

    Henry Y. Hwang Dean, Drucker School of Management
    Professor of Marketing

    Research Interests

    Retailing, branding, influence strategies, marketing public policy

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  • Portrait of Vijay Sathe

    Vijay Sathe

    C.S. & D.J. Davidson Chair and Professor of Management

    Research Interests

    Family business, Mindful revitalization, Creative economy, The Effective Executive, Managing Change

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  • Jay Prag

    Jay Prag

    Clinical Full Professor
    Academic Director
    Faculty Coordinator, Center for Business & Management of the Arts

    Research Interests

    Corporate Finance, Investments, Economics of Strategy, Macroeconomics

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  • Hideki Yamawaki

    Hideki Yamawaki

    Ito Chair of International Business and Professor of Management

    Research Interests

    Design Thinking, Competitive Strategy, International Business, International Trade, and Foreign Direct Investment

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  • Portrait of Bernie Jaworski

    Bernie Jaworski

    Peter F. Drucker Chair in Management and the Liberal Arts

    Research Interests

    Client Management, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Strategy

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  • Portrait of Jeremy Hunter

    Jeremy Hunter

    Associate Professor of Practice
    Founding Director, Executive Mind Leadership Institute

    Research Interests

    Mindfulness, Self-management, Executive mind

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  • Munirpallam A. Venkataramanan

    Munirpallam A. Venkataramanan

    University Professor

    Research Interests

    Supply Chain Management, Decision Support Systems, Optimization Techniques

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  • Portrait of Katharina Pick

    Katharina Pick

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Research Interests

    Organizational behavior, Teams, Organizational theory, Leadership, Corporate governance, Power and influence

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  • Kristine Kawamura

    Kristine Kawamura

    Clinical Professor of Management

    Research Interests

    Responsible management, Care (as a strategic resource), Values-based management systems, Leadership, Organizational strategy and culture, Cross cultural competence, Human performance and resilience

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  • Stephen Gilliland

    Stephen Gilliland

    University Professor

    Research Interests

    Organizational Justice, Employee Attitudes and Motivation, Leadership

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  • Portrait of Rebecca Reichard

    Becky Reichard

    Full Professor

    Research Interests

    Development of those not typically represented in leadership roles (e.g., women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+), Psychological mechanisms underlying the process of leader development (e.g., feedback, goal striving, self-views, implicit theories, leader development readiness), Development of leadership through experiences outside of the work context (e.g., global, sports, volunteering, crisis)

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  • Paul J. Zak

    Paul J. Zak

    Professor of Economic Sciences, Psychology & Management
    Director, Center for Neuroeconomics Studies

    Research Interests

    Neuroeconomics, Neuroscience of Narratives, Neuromanagement

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  • Portrait of Michelle Bligh

    Michelle Bligh

    Executive Vice President & Provost
    Professor of Organizational Behavior

    Research Interests

    Leadership, Organizational Culture, Charismatic Leadership

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Curriculum

This doctoral program requires a minimum of 48 units of coursework and a dissertation designed to be completed within 3 years, with a curriculum tailored to each executive’s unique needs.

Leadership Core (6 units)

  • Drucker Philosophy (2 units)

Choose two of the following:

  • Leadership Practicum (2 units)
  • Designing the Future (2 units)
  • The Practice of Self-Mastery (2 units)

Doctoral Core Seminars (6 units)
Seminar topics vary year to year, example topics include:

  • Drucker’s work
  • Management
  • Customer Behavior
  • Leadership and Organizational Behavior
  • Societal Impact

Doctoral Methods Core (8 units)

  • Survey of Quantitative Methods (2 units)
  • Survey of Qualitative Methods (2 units)
  • Foundations of Research (4 units)

Intensives Courses in Claremont (two 2-unit courses)

Transdisciplinary Course (4 units)

Electives or Independent Studies (4 units)

PhD Completion Courses (16 units)

  • Dissertation proposal
  • Written dissertation and oral defense

Optional Global Experiences (2-4 units)

  • Global Immersion (Drucker School typically offers multiple international trips each year that doctoral students can participate in)

Learning Outcomes

The EPhD program at the Drucker School of Management offers a holistic educational experience for seasoned managers and leaders:

  • Comprehensive understanding of advanced leadership and management principles, including the philosophy of Peter Drucker
  • Apply advanced leadership concepts, theories, models, and tools for practical and creative problem solving
  • Completion of a high-quality doctoral project that addresses an important business, management, or social problem with rigorous research methods and of relevance to the doctoral student
  • Personal growth and preparation for new career paths, including teaching at a university, consulting, governance boards, and executive leadership roles

The Dissertation Reimagined

The Executive PhD features a doctoral project that transcends the traditional academic dissertation in favor of an experience and document designed for relevance and application. Students conduct rigorous research applying methods learned in the program curriculum to find solutions for current business or societal problems and formulate their results in a way that is streamlined and effective.

Who Should Apply

The ideal candidates for the EPhD are seasoned managers, leaders and executives with significant leadership experience in business, non-profits, and public sector organizations. These candidates should possess the following qualities:

  • Leadership Experience: Ideal candidates are senior leaders from various types of organizations. The Drucker School values the practice of management, therefore ideal candidates for the program should have experience managing and leading groups of people and organizations. As a School of Management we welcome people from all kinds of organizations, including non-profits, NGOs, for-profit firms, and governmental organizations.
  • Research Interest: Applicants should be able to submit a preliminary project proposal that aligns with the Drucker School faculty’s research interests and expertise. Ideal candidates should demonstrate a genuine passion for understanding a significant business, management, or social problems through rigorous research.
  • Commitment: The program is designed to be completed within three years, so candidates should be prepared to dedicate the necessary time and effort to their studies.
  • Motivation: Ideal candidates are motivated by self-enhancement, learning, and the potential for new career paths, such as teaching at a university, consulting, governance boards, or executive leadership roles in companies led by scientists and technologists with PhDs.
  • Engagement: Candidates should be active in their fields or professions, attending industry-relevant events, executive leadership/coaching programs, or participating in business professional organizations, such as those related to their industries or professions.

Application Guidelines

Requirements Summary
Item Description
Application Fee $80
Official Transcripts Yes
Statement of Purpose Yes
Resume Yes
Interview Yes
Academic Prerequisites Bachelor's required, Master's preferred

Please see the application checklist for more details.
 

Key Dates and Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Spring 2024
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2023
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2023
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2023
Classes begin – January 16, 2024

Fall 2024
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2024
Classes begin – August 26, 2024


Application Checklist

Online application

The Claremont Graduate University online application is hosted online by Slate Technolutions via a secure web server. You will create a username and password so that you can return to continue your application over several sessions and check your status after submission. After you submit your application, it is made available for review by our faculty and staff.

Begin your application

$80 Application fee

The application fee is non-refundable.

Official transcripts (undergraduate/graduate)

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.

Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.

English proficiency exam (international applicants only)

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE scores is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
  • Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
  • Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.


Statement of purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.


Interview

Upon review of your application, you may be invited for an interview, which is required for admission. An admission decision will not be issued until the interview is complete.


References

Please provide three references that can attest to your work ethic, research experience, and/or readiness for graduate study. A letter of recommendation is not required from your references, but they may be contacted for additional information during the application review process.

Writing sample (optional)

Applicants may choose to submit a thesis, book chapter, or article demonstrating their writing acumen.

Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 48 units
Tuition per unit* $2,500

*Based on 2023-2024 tuition rates.

 

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2022-2023 .

Review General Costs

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