“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.
Contribute to a Functioning Society
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.
Learn more about the inaugural EPhD cohort and the 2025 EPhD cohort.
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.
- Designed for Executives: 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.
Program At-a-glance
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64 units
required units
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PhD in Executive Management (AACSB Accredited)
degree awarded
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Hybrid
modality
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Spring, Fall
program start
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3 years | part time
estimated completion time
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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Jay Prag
Academic Director, MS in Finance Program
Academic Director, PhD in Management Program
Faculty Coordinator, Center for Business & Management of the Arts
Clinical Full ProfessorResearch Interests
Corporate Finance, Investments, Economics of Strategy, Macroeconomics
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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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Bernie Jaworski
Peter F. Drucker Chair in Management and the Liberal Arts
Research Interests
Client Management, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Strategy
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Jeremy Hunter
Associate Professor of Practice
Founding Director, Executive Mind Leadership InstituteResearch Interests
Mindfulness, Self-management, Executive mind
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Katharina Pick
Academic Director, MBA Programs
Clinical Full ProfessorResearch Interests
Organizational behavior, Teams, Organizational theory, Leadership, Corporate governance, Power and influence
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Kristine Kawamura
Academic Director, Societal and Global Impact
Clinical Professor of ManagementResearch 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
University Professor
Research Interests
Organizational Justice, Employee Attitudes and Motivation, Leadership
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Becky Reichard
Full Professor of Organizational Behavior and Leadership | Leadership Scholar & Consultant
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
University Professor
Research Interests
Neuroeconomics, Neuroscience of Narratives, Neuromanagement
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Michelle Bligh
Interim President
Professor of Organizational BehaviorResearch Interests
Leadership, Organizational Culture, Charismatic Leadership
Curriculum
This doctoral program requires 64 units total, with most students transferring in up to 16 units from previous graduate work.
Doctoral Methods Core (12 units total)
• MGT 710 Foundations of Research (4 units)
• MGT 712 Qualitative Methods (2 units)
• MGT 714 Quantitative Methods (2 units)
• MGT 763 Data Collection (2 units)
• MGT 764 Data Analysis, (2 units)
PhD Completion Courses (10 units)
• MGT 766 Research & Writing (2 units each, taken 5 times)
Doctoral Core Seminars (10 units)
• MGT 704 Doctoral Seminar
• 4 additional MGT Doctoral Seminars (2 units each)
Leadership Core (6 units total)
• MGT 700 Great Books of Drucker (2 units)
• Additional leadership core courses (4 units total)
Intensive course (2 units total)
• MGT 705 Executive Transitions (2 units)
Transdisciplinary courses (4 units total)
Electives (4-20 units)
TOTAL UNITS = 48-64*
*Up to 16 units of graduate credit may be transferred with faculty approval
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 with typical transfer credit, 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
| 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:
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 the following:
|
| Academic Prerequisites | You must hold a U.S. equivalent bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Those without a master’s degree may apply but may be required to complete additional units. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Work Experience | Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of full-time professional work experience with some managerial/leadership experience. |
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 2026
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2025
Classes begin – January 20, 2026
Fall 2026
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2026
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2026
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2026
Classes begin – August 24, 2026
Cost & Aid
ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.
STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
| $245 Student Fee |
| $150 Technology Fee |
| International Student Services Fee**: $802 fall semester, $898 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 2025-2026.
| Program | 48 units |