Business Administration, MBA

The Drucker School offers two MBA programs: the full-time Drucker MBA and the part-time Flex MBA.

The Drucker MBA provides the classic MBA experience with a rigorous, structured curriculum and a mandatory area of concentration. Students generally take classes full-time and participate in student life actively.

The Flex MBA offers a much more customized approach to the MBA for working professionals and those who value flexibility over the traditional full-time students experience.

For admission requirements, see the Admission section of this Bulletin.

Degree Requirements - Drucker MBA

The Drucker 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.

The first year focuses on business fundamentals and professional development work. Students typically obtain an internship during the summer semester(s). 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	14 Units
People and Strategy	12 Units
Concentration	12 Units
General elective	2 units
Total Degree	48 Units

Drucker Signature Platform

Drucker Philosophy (2 units)
Leadership Practicum (1+1 units)
Create Your Future (1+1 units)
Finding Clarity (2 units)

Analysis and Decision Making

Business Analytics I (4 units)
Financial Accounting (2 units)
Corporate Finance (4 units)
Operations Management (4 units)

People and Strategy

Economics of Strategy (2 units)
Marketing Management (2 units)
Organizational Behavior (4 units)
Strategy (4 units)

All Drucker MBAs earn certificates in Analysis & Decision Making and People & Strategy as part of their degrees.

All Drucker MBA students are required to earn a concentration or concentration certificate by taking 12 units of elective coursework in an approved concentration area (see below).

Degree Requirements - Flex MBA

The Flex Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) program requires 48 units. Courses are offered in Summer, Fall and Spring. The program is typically taken on a part-time basis and completed in 2 years.

The first year focuses on business fundamentals. Students typically take courses over the summer semester(s). 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 Executive Platform	8 Units
Management Core	14 Units
General electives	26 units
Total Degree	48 Units

Drucker Executive Platform

Drucker Philosophy (2 units)
Leadership Practicum (1+1 units)
The Effective Executive (2 units)
Creating The Future (2 units)

Flex MBAs may choose to earns certificates or concentrations by completing the same requirements.

Areas of Concentration

Students may earn one or more concentrations or concentration certificates; however no elective units may be counted toward more than one concentration and a second concentration make require additional units.

Available areas of concentration in the 2020-2021 academic year include:

Entrepreneurship (concentration certificate)
Finance (concentration certificate)
Human Resource Management (concentration)
Information Technology Management (concentration)
Marketing (concentration certificate)
Supply Chain Management (concentration certificate)

For more advanced students:

Leadership (concentration)
Strategy (concentration)

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 go 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 one international destination. The destinations of the international trips/courses will vary from year to year.

For Drucker MBA students who would like to live abroad for an entire semester, exchange semesters are available at the following institutions.

Universidad de San Andres, Argentina
Hitotsubashi University, Japan
Waseda University, Japan
Rotterdam School of Management, Netherland
Univeristy of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Sasin School of Management, Bangkok, Thailand

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.

Flex students may waive introductory course requirements to take a more advanced course only. For example, they might waive Marketing Management in order to take a marketing elective instead.

Auditing. Auditing is the process of attending a class without receiving academic credit. The Drucker School does not allow the auditing of Management courses.