Frequently Asked Questons

for Prospective and Current Students

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Q:  What concentrations are available to students through this dual degree?

A:  Students will be able to pursue any of the five concentrations in the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or one concentration in the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.).

Q:  Why have Drucker and the School of Community and Global Health created this partnership?

A:  A dual MBA/MPH degree offering comprehensive knowledge and competencies in public health sciences (foundations of health behavior, public health policy and practice, principles of biostatistics, principles of epidemiology, environmental and occupational health) and state-of-the-art business practices (finance, accounting and marketing combined with strategic thinking, entrepreneurship and value-based management) will prepare graduates to transfer strategic thinking, scientific know-how and leadership and managerial skills to rapidly changing environments and global health challenges in the 21st century.

Named for management guru Peter F. Drucker and international retailing giant Masatoshi Ito, the Drucker School views management as an art and a science. Drucker’s curriculum integrates perspective from a wide variety of disciplines including the social and behavioral sciences, philosophy, the humanities, history, technology, religion and mathematics. The school aims to train effective managers and ethical leaders who make a difference in the lives and institutions they touch by infusing them with high values, defining common purpose, and bringing dignity to human interaction. Like the other Claremont University graduate programs, Drucker is small, with 400 students and 14 core faculty, allowing for personalized and practical, yet reflective learning experience. See drucker.cgu.edu.

The School of Community and Global Health was created in 2008 to create a fertile environment to convene diverse leaders from the sciences, public health, government, business, and civil service to engage in creative program solving leading to new innovations in health well being and quality of life locally and globally. The mission of the new School is to improve the health and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities worldwide through interdisciplinary research, expeditious translation and dissemination of findings, and innovative training programs. The new school builds on the strong tradition of academic excellence, strategic leadership and innovative collaboration across disciplines, the hallmark of CGU.  See cgu.edu/scgh.

Q:  What is the advantage of earning these degrees through this dual-degree program?

A:  Previously, students who wished to obtain both degrees, a Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Public Health, would earn them sequentially, a process that would take a total of four years. Arrangement of the respective curriculums allows students to complete both masters in less than three years. Students  can complete the program by taking a total of 76 MBA/MPH units, saving 32 units of regular coursework (regular 48-unit MPH and 60-unit MBA, totaling 108 units).  The curriculum will provide specialized knowledge and skills in management fundamentals and public health aimed to develop leaders who can deliver both innovative and practical solutions to the public health systems and organizations at a local, national or international level. Thus, the nature of the dual degree program allows students to develop and integrate knowledge and skills more efficiently.

Q:  How long will it take students to earn the two degrees?

A:  Full time students can complete the program in as few as 6 semesters and will be enrolled in fall, spring and summer semesters. The length of the program will vary depending the student’s schedule. Part-time students, including those in Drucker’s part-time M.B.A. and M.P.H. programs, will generally take longer to complete requirements for both degrees than full-time day students.

Q: What is the course of study for the dual-degree program?

A:  Students are required to complete a 76-credit hour program, consisting of 56 units of core courses, 16 units of concentration courses, and 4 units of elective coursework. Students admitted to the dual degree program will take a combination of Drucker and Community and Global Health courses each semester. As part of the M.B.A. coursework, students may pursue concentrations in Finance, Strategy, Leadership, Global Management or marketing. Or students may pursue the Leadership and Management concentration in the M.P.H. curriculum.

Q:  Will any courses be offered online?

A:   At this point, no.

Q:  Is there an honors program at Drucker?

A:  Yes. Students entering the Drucker School may be accepted as Drucker Centennial Fellows and the Doris Drucker Women in Leadership Fellows. These Fellows Programs offer students the opportunity to work with the school’s administration in strategic planning, and various research and writing projects, as well as interactions with the Dean and other executives.

Q: Will I be able to participate in internships as part of the dual degree program?

A:  Yes, students will participate in a 400-hour supervised field training experience, typically in the final semester of their program.  The rotation through a public health agency or faculty sponsored research project will enable students to strengthen, expand and diversify the MBA/MPH curriculum through value-added study, problem-based learning, and applied practice and research field experiences either locally or abroad.  Students will also be able to take advantage of the Drucker Career Center, Mentoring Program and Alumni Office, each of which has programs in place to assist students to locate internships that will expose them to the real-world skills that they will need when they gradúate. The M.P.H. office also maintain affiliations with a diverse set of agencies both locally and abroad where students can complete their internship requirement.

Q:  Will I have Access to both school’s career planning services throughout my course of study?

A: Yes.

Q:  May I complete the program at one school and then commence the other program sequentially?

A:  Yes.

Q:  What happens if I change my mind and just want to pursue one program or the other?

A:  Not a problem. You can withdraw from the dual degree program and the complete the degree you wish.

Q:  Can students who have already started either program still apply to the dual degree program?

A: Yes, students may apply for admission to the dual degree program at any point, but the length of time necessary to complete the two degrees may vary depending on the point at which the student applies.

Q:  Can Drucker School graduates apply to the dual degree program?

A:  Alumni within five years of graduation may apply to the M.P.H. program and, if accepted, can apply Drucker School credits toward their public health degree. Alumni must meet the same admission requirements as other applicants.

Q:  What if I graduated from Drucker more than five years ago?

A:  Drucker alumni who graduated more than five years ago may also apply to the M.P.H. program, but, if accepted, they will not be able to apply Drucker credits toward their public health degree. Moreover, the School of Community and Global Health may not give special consideration to alumni applicants more than five years post-Masters.

Q:  Are there a limited number of spots available in the dual degree program?

A:  There is no formal limit, but both schools are looking for students who have demonstrated exceptional ability and a compelling interest in combining business and public health.

Q:  If I complete the program successfully will I receive one diploma or two?

A:  You will receive two diplomas – the M.P.H. from the School of Community and Global Health and the M.B.A., from the Drucker School.

Q:  What are the admission requirements for the dual degree program?

A:  Applicants must request application materials from both schools. Admission decisions for the concurrent program are made by separate committees at each school. Applicants must be granted admission to both schools to be admitted to the dual degree program. The following documents are required:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended (Drucker only). SCGH requires transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions.
• A completed and signed application for admission to CGU, plus application fee if applicable
• An official GMAT score report sent from ETS, the Educational Testing Service (Note: the GMAT can substitute for the GRE exam, normally required for admission to the SCGH programs)
• A student profile and application for institutional aid
• Current resume or CV
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 100 (internet), 250 (computer) or 600 (paper)
• Personal Statement
• Two letters of recommendation. At least one letter should explicitly address the candidate’s fitness for the dual degree program (see question below regarding letters of recommendation).
• An in-person or telephone interview (Drucker only)

Q:  Who should I ask to write the letter of recommendation and what should it say?

A:  Both programs are intense academic experiences requiring a high level of skill and commitment. To assess whether applicants have the ability to complete two demanding degrees, we want to hear from someone who knows you as a student, intern or employee. We urge current business and public health students to ask one of their professors at Drucker or School of Community and Global Health to write on their behalf. New applicants to either school should submit a letter from a college professor or their current employer. Recommendation letters should address the applicant’s academic abilities, interest in pursuing the dual degrees and other qualities or experiences that bear upon his or her qualifications for this program.

Q:  Why does Drucker require an interview?

A:  Since we want to maximize the likelihood that students accepted into the program will successfully complete both degrees, an interviews provide another opportunity to assess an applicant’s ability and motivation to pursue the rigorous course of study.

Q:  What are the application deadlines for the dual degree program?

A:  The School of Community and Global Health reviews applications on a rolling basis. The application deadline is June 15th for the fall semester. Drucker has a “priority” due date of February 15, but accepts applications every month after that. Students who submit their applications by February 15 will receive priority consideration for financial aid.

Q:  If I am a current Drucker student, do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?

A:  No. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) can substitute for the GRE exam, normally required for admission to the M.P.H. program.

Q:  If I am already an M.P.H. student, do I have to take the GMAT exam?

A:  No. Drucker will be able to evaluate candidacy for the MBA based upon the GRE score submitted for admission to the MPH program.  

Q:  When can I take the GMAT?

A:  The GMAT is offered frequently. Visit www.mba.com/mba to register and locate a test site. The Drucker School also hosts a Kaplan GMAT Prep Course in the early summer. For information about this on-campus course, please contact Danielle Coffin at 909.607.5117 or danielle.coffin@cgu.edu.

Q: How much will the dual degree cost?

A: Students are responsible for paying the tuition and fees based upon the units they enroll at each school. These costs are charged by the schools respectively.

Q:  If I still have questions, who should I contact?

A:  At the School of Community and Global Health, contact Annekah Hall at annekah.hall@cgu.edu or 909.621-8084.