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Executive Management

PhD in Executive Management

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“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

 

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Program At a Glance

UNITS
48-64 units

ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME
3 years

COURSE MODALITY
Hybrid

COURSES BEGIN
Fall | Spring

DEGREE AWARDED
PhD in Executive Management


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.

 

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)

 

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.

Faculty & Research

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Adriana Leake

Assistant Director of Admissions
T: 909-607-3310
E: adriana.leake@cgu.edu

Michael Mirabella

Director of Recruitment for the Drucker School of Management
T: 909-607-9049
E: michael.mirabella@cgu.edu