Faculty
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David Sprott
Henry Y. Hwang Dean, Drucker School of Management
Professor of MarketingResearch Interests
Retailing, branding, influence strategies, marketing public policy
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Michael Gibbert
Professor at Universita Della Svizzera Italiana, Adjunct Professor & Director of the Sustainability Lab at EHL
Research Interests
Sustainable consumption, Qualitative research methods
Curriculum
- Degree Requirements: Participants must successfully complete the DBA program in its entirety, a total of 64 units, to obtain the DBA degree.
- The core of the program is 48 units of coursework, including courses, intensive seminars, and the doctoral research project.
- The remaining 16 units needed to obtain the 64-unit DBA degree may either be transferred from prior graduate studies, or must otherwise be completed from a proposed list of courses offered by the two schools. This will be assessed on a case basis.
- Curriculum Overview: The core curriculum of the DBA program offers 48 units of coursework. Alongside the Doctoral Research Project, the curriculum entails a set of dedicated doctoral level courses delivered by EHL Hospitality Business School and the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. The remaining 16 units needed to obtain the 64-unit DBA degree may either be transferred from prior graduate studies or taken from a proposed list of courses offered by the two schools.
- Coursework:
Coursework of the core DBA curriculum is grouped into four main streams: Methods and Theory, the Leadership Core, the Multi-disciplinary Core and the Doctoral Research Project.Methods and Theory (12 units)Leadership Core (8 units)Multidisciplinary Core (14 units)Doctoral Research Project (14 units)The DBA courses are delivered mostly online, with three week-long intensive seminars taking place in the U.S. (Claremont), Switzerland (Lausanne), and Singapore. The intensive seminars combine experiential coursework and doctoral discussions at key moments throughout the program journey.The program includes a detailed assessment plan to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with AACSB accreditation standards.
- Capstone:
The program culminates with the completion of the 3-year Doctoral Research Project. The program’s guided research journey is structured as follows:Year 1: Define your groundbreaking research topic and craft your research proposalYear 2: Conduct your empirical research
Year 3: Develop your findings and discuss how they transform practiceThe journey is designed to ensure success as outputs at each milestone build up to a complete thesis. - Competencies and Learning Outcomes:
Understanding and applying management practice conceptsUtilizing analytical and methodological toolsFormulating action plans for organizational impactCommunicating research results to stakeholders
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) In general, a valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL (min. score 95), IELTS (min. 7.0 with no sub-score less than a 6.5), Pearson PTE (min. score 66), Duolingo English Test (min. score 125) is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. However, English proficiency may also be assessed during the admissions interview. The examination is not required for the following applicants:
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. |
| Academic Prerequisites | A bachelors degree is required. A master’s degree is preferred. Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of full-time professional work experience in leadership. |
| References | Three professional references |
| 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.
Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025
Claremont Residential (Mandatory Program Start) – August 18-22, 2025
Cost & Aid
Tuition is based only on the units you are required to take to achieve the DBA. Depending on whether you have a prior graduate degree, the units you are required to take to complete the program may range from a minimum of 48 units to a maximum of 64 units (see degree requirements or talk to a recruitment advisor).
- Tuition per unit: 2,500 CHF (120,000 CHF for 48 units of coursework or 160,000 CHF for 64 units of coursework).
- Program fees: 5,000 CHF for each of the 3 global intensive seminars (15,000 CHF total). These fees include accommodation and meals, but not airfare, airport connections, or other expenses related to traveling for the intensives.