hybrid

Management

PhD in Management

Research that matters.

The doctoral program in Management is a unique opportunity for students to pursue innovative research that connects theory, knowledge, and business practice together through a transdisciplinary approach. Students engage in dynamic research empowered by the distinct principles of Peter Drucker’s philosophy of management as a human-centered endeavor that empowers the common good.

Our program is typically completed in five years of full-time study. The first three years are typically course-based, following a core curriculum of Drucker management theory, along with business analytics and research methodologies. We offer the opportunity to develop a personalized curriculum based on the student’s interests by taking courses not only within the management program but also in departments across the university, such as economics, organizational psychology, information systems, and more.

The program is academically rigorous, yet flexible, as students work closely with faculty on robust research relevant to critical issues affecting management practices worldwide. Students will produce research, publications, and a dissertation in the final three years of the program.

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PRME - Principles for Responsible Management Education - Logo

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Program Highlights
  • Building on Peter Drucker’s management principles and his legacy of innovation, the PhD will allow you explore and examine important issues in management
  • Determine your own pace – take classes while employed and transfer up to 24 units from master’s level coursework completed at an accredited institution
  • Learn research methodologies from multiple departments at CGU to create original, transdisciplinary research that breaks new ground
  • Your degree is AACSB accredited—the highest standard for business education

Program At-a-glance

  • 72 units

    required units

  • PhD in Management

    degree awarded

  • Hybrid

    modality

  • Spring, Fall

    program start

  • 5 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

Faculty

  • Portrait of Bernie Jaworski

    Bernie Jaworski

    Peter F. Drucker Chair in Management and the Liberal Arts

    Research Interests

    Client Management, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Strategy

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • David Sprott

    David Sprott

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

    Research Interests

    Retailing, branding, influence strategies, marketing public policy

  • 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

  • Portrait of Gary Gaukler

    Gary Gaukler

    Full Professor

    Research Interests

    Analytics, Innovation, Operations management, Management, RFID and sensors, Supply chain management, Technology

  • Portrait of Jeremy Hunter

    Jeremy Hunter

    Associate Professor of Practice
    Founding Director, Executive Mind Leadership Institute

    Research Interests

    Mindfulness, Self-management, Executive mind

  • Portrait of Katharina Pick

    Katharina Pick

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Research Interests

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

  • Portrait of James Wallace

    James Wallace

    Associate Professor of Accounting

    Research Interests

    Accounting, Finance, Financial statement analysis, Sustainability

  • Munirpallam A. Venkataramanan

    Munirpallam A. Venkataramanan

    University Professor

    Research Interests

    Supply Chain Management, Decision Support Systems, Optimization Techniques

Curriculum

The program requires 72 semester units of coursework as follows:

  • Great Books of Drucker, 2 units
  • Methods courses:
    • Foundations of Research, 4 units
    • Qualitative Methods, 2 units
    • Quantitative Methods, 2 units
    • An additional methods course, 4 units
  • Doctoral MGT seminars, 8 units
  • Doctoral in-person intensives, 4 units
  • TNDY course(s), 4 units
  • MGT electives, 14 units
  • General electives, 28 units

Up to 24 units may be transferred in from a previous Master’s degree.

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (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.

English Proficiency Exam

Required (international applicants only)

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test 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 allows for an English proficiency waiver if the applicant has received, or will receive prior to enrollment at CGU, an undergraduate or advanced degree from an institution where English is one of the primary languages of instruction for the majority of courses in the student’s program. To receive the waiver, documentation must be provided by the applicant to show that English is the language of instruction at their university/college.

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.

Resume

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

Program 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.

Applicant Questionnaire

For each of the questions below, please provide a separate response of no more than 100 words maximum. You will be able to upload your responses to your applicant status page following the submission of your online application.

1. What is motivating you to pursue a graduate management degree or certificate at this point in your life?

2. Describe your goals and how our program will help you reach them.

3. How do the Drucker School and Peter Drucker’s ideals align with your personal brand?

4. How might you contribute to the program? What qualities do you possess that would benefit the program and/or your fellow students?

5. What might be the biggest challenge you will face at if you enroll in this program?

Academic Prerequisites

You must hold a U.S. equivalent master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Those without a master’s may still apply but will be required first to enter into a Drucker master’s program before advancing into the PhD.

Three years of work experience is recommended but not required. The Admission Committee weighs the quality of work experience more heavily than the quantity. Direct management experience is preferred, but not required.

Standardized Test Scores

GRE (optional)

For applicants applying to begin in a 2024 term, standardized test scores are not required for this program. Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test are invited to submit scores but are not required to do so.

Applicants who feel that their Grade Point Averages do not adequately represent their ability to succeed in a graduate program may find it helpful to submit GRE scores for consideration.

CGU’s school code:
ETS (GRE and TOEFL) 4053

Interview

Required

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.

Key Dates & Deadlines

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

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

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Cost & Aid

Tuition and Fees

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 72 units
Tuition per unit* $2,020

*Based on 2024-2025 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 2024-2025.

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