For admission requirements, see the Admission section of this Bulletin.
Degree Requirements
The Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) program requires 48 units. The academic year is focused on Fall and Spring semesters. The program can be taken on a full-time basis in as few as 4 semesters or part-time basis in as few as 5 semesters.
The first year focuses on business fundamentals and professional development work. During the second year, students align their individual and professional goals through elective courses and projects.
University Policies. University policies detailed in the Academic Policies section of the Bulletin apply.
MBA Unit Breakdown
| Drucker Signature Platform |
8 Units |
| Analysis and Decision Making |
16 Units |
| People and Strategy |
12 Units |
| Concentration |
12 Units |
| Total Degree |
48 Units |
Drucker Signature Platform
- Drucker Philosophy (2 units)
- Leadership Practicum (1+1 units)
- Creating Your Career Path (1+1 units)
- Finding Clarity (2 units)
Analysis and Decision Making
- Business Analytics I (4 units)
- Financial Accounting (4 units)
- Corporate Finance (4 units)
- Operations Management (4 units)
People and Strategy
- Economics of Strategy (2 units)
- Marketing Management (2 units)
- Organizational Behavior 1 & 2 (4 units)
- Strategy (4 units)
Concentrations
Drucker MBA students are required to earn a concentration by taking 12 units of elective coursework in an approved concentration area.
All students may earn more than one concentration by taking additional units; however no elective units may be counted toward more than one concentration.
Available concentrations include:
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Information Technology Management
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
For more advanced students:
In order to earn a specific concentration, students should consult their academic advisor on their eligibility and course options. Concentrations may only be added with departmental approval. Course offerings for each concentration vary year to year and cannot be guaranteed.
Curriculum Opportunities
The integrative approach of the MBA curriculum is designed to allow students to progressively build upon and relate acquired skills and experiences as they progress through the program.
A number of courses bring students into direct contact with outside managers and current management challenges. Internships, field studies, applied projects, and independent study programs allow students to test their skills on real-world problems in established businesses. Visiting faculty and corporate leaders bring contemporary management issues and developments directly into the classroom.
Global Immersion. Short-term travel intensives allow students to visit places beyond Southern California to visit companies and experience different business environments. Typically, the Drucker School offers travel intensives each year to New York, Silicon Valley and at least one international destination. The destinations of the international trips/courses will vary from year to year.
For full-time students who would like to live abroad for an entire semester, exchange semesters are available at the following institutions.
- Hitotsubashi University, Japan
- Rotterdam School of Management, Netherlands
- Universidad de San Andres, Argentina
- St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Waseda University, Japan
Department-Specific Policies
Course Waiver. Students who believe they have sufficient prior academic preparation in the content of a core course may ask to waive the corresponding core course. Students must demonstrate that they have
- taken a similar course at an accredited institution within five years with a grade of B or better
- have relevant certification (e.g. CPA- Certified Public Accountants)
Course waivers are determined on a course by course basis. For certain courses, the faculty may only allow a waiver via an exam. Students must fill out a Course Waiver Form, present a syllabus or course description of the course and submit an official transcript with the listed course and grade received. Please note that only the content of the course is waived, not the units; the units must be made up through elective units. Contact the Program Coordinator for additional information on course waivers.
Auditing. Auditing is the process of attending a class without receiving academic credit. It is often referred to as a “listening” grade. The Drucker School does not allow the auditing of Management courses. This is due to the high demand of enrollment in Drucker courses.