Southwestern Law School Los Angeles, CA
 

Southwestern-Drucker FAQs

Download the program brochure, which includes the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)


Q: What concurrent degrees are available to Southwestern students through this collaboration?

A: Students at Southwestern will be able to earn a J.D. and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or a J.D. and an Executive M.B.A.* (E.M.B.A.). Drucker students will be able to earn a J.D.

 * J.D./E.M.B.A. may be an option for students with extensive management or related business experience.

Q: Why have Drucker and Southwestern created this partnership?

A: The combination of legal training and management skills is increasingly in demand, and we believe graduates of these concurrent degree programs will find enhanced career opportunities and be able to make a positive difference. The Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management, part of Claremont Graduate University, is one of the nation's premier management schools.

Q: What is the advantage of earning these degrees through this concurrent-degree program?

A: Southwestern students who pursue the J.D./M.B.A. degree can apply 16 units earned at Southwestern to the 60 units required for the M.B.A. They will complete the additional 44 units at Drucker and should be able to complete both degrees within 4 to 4 1/2 years. Law students who wish to earn the J.D. can apply 6 semester units completed at Southwestern towards the 32-unit Master of Arts in Management degree. The remaining 26 units will be completed at Drucker. Law students with extensive management experience who wish to earn the 48-unit Executive M.B.A. degree will be able to apply 10 units from their Southwestern courses, leaving 38 units to complete at Drucker.

Drucker students who wish to pursue the J.D./M.B.A., will have 16 units earned though the Drucker M.B.A. program applied to the 87 units required for the J.D. degree. They will complete a minimum of an additional 71 units at Southwestern. This will enable them to complete both degrees within 4 to 4 1/2 years. Drucker students may also choose a curricular concentration such as entertainment law, international law, business law, or public interest law at Southwestern.

Q: How long will it take students to earn the two degrees?

A: Most full-time students should be able to complete both degrees in 4 to 4 1/2 years. The length of the program will vary depending on the student's schedule. Part-time students, including those in Southwestern's Evening and PLEAS programs and in Drucker's part-time M.B.A. and E.M.B.A. programs, will generally take longer to complete requirements for both degrees than full-time day students. SCALE® students, because of the particularly intense nature of their program, will likely have to complete the two degrees sequentially.

Q: What is the course of study for the concurrent-degree program?

A: Students entering Southwestern or Drucker will spend the first year at Southwestern, taking the 1L coursework. During the second year in the program, students have the option of either taking only the first-year required Drucker core courses or completing all requirements within three consecutive semesters (Summer, Fall and Spring). The curriculum in the third and subsequent years will include the remaining required courses and electives for both degrees as necessary. As part of the MBA coursework, students may use their elective slots to pursue a concentration in finance, strategy, leadership, global management, marketing or nonprofit management, or simply take other electives as their interests dictate. Note: Students are advised to begin their Drucker coursework during the Summer semester so that they are able to complete the degree requirements by Spring of the following year. Those who begin in the Fall semester will be required to return in the third year to complete their elective coursework. Click here for more information.

Q: How far apart are the campuses?

A: Depending on where a student lives, he or she could choose to commute from either campus. Drucker is about an hour from Southwestern by freeway or by train. The Drucker campus is walking distance from the Metrolink train station (www.metrolinktrains.com) and the Southwestern campus is walking distance from a Metro Red Line stop (www.mta.net). There are also plans to offer some Drucker courses at Southwestern.

Q: Can third and fourth-year students take courses at both schools concurrently?

A: Yes, depending on their course schedule.

Q: Will any courses be offered online?

A: At this point, no.

Q: Can concurrent-degree students participate in Southwestern's honors programs?

A: Yes, although you will likely have to defer participation in these cocurricular activities (Law Review, Law Journal and the Moot Court, Negotiation or Trial Advocacy honors programs) until the third and fourth years in the program, after you've taken Drucker's required courses.

Q: Is there an honors program at Drucker?

A: Yes. Students entering The Drucker School may be accepted as Drucker Fellows or as Doris Drucker Women in Leadership Fellows. Graduating students who are in the top 20% of their class are invited to join Beta Gamma Sigma. Beta Gamma Sigma is a business honor society that recognizes the most outstanding students of business at institutions accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Click here for more information.

Q: Will I be able to participate in externships/internships as part of these programs?

A: Yes, students may participate in Southwestern externships, most likely during their third and fourth years in the concurrent-degree program. Students will also be able to take advantage of the Drucker Career Center, Mentoring Program and Alumni Office, each of which has programs in place to help students find internships that will expose them to the real-world skills that they will need when they leave school.

Q: Will I have access to both schools' career planning offices throughout my course of study?

A: Yes.

Q: May I complete the program at one school and then commence the other program sequentially?

A: Yes.

Q: What happens if I change my mind and just want to pursue one program or the other?

A: No problem. You can withdraw from the concurrent-degree program and complete the degree you want.

Q: Are students in all Southwestern and Drucker programs eligible for the concurrent-degree program?

A: Yes. Prospective as well as current students in Southwestern's Day, Evening, PLEAS and SCALE programs may apply along with current and prospective Drucker students and recent alumni (five years out or less).

Q: Can students who have already started law school or business school still apply to the concurrent-degree program?

A: Yes. Students may apply for admission to the concurrent-degree program at any point during law school or business, but the length of time necessary to complete the two degrees may vary depending on the point at which the student applies.

Q: Can graduates of Southwestern Law School and The Drucker School apply to the concurrent-degree program?

A: Southwestern alumni within five years of graduation may apply to the M.B.A., or E.M.B.A. programs and, if accepted, can apply law school credits toward their business degree. Alumni must meet the same admissions requirements as other applicants. We also encourage Southwestern alumni, particularly those currently employed, to explore Drucker's E.M.B.A. Program. The E.M.B.A. degree requires fewer units (48, as opposed to 60 for the M.B.A.), and offers a more flexible course schedule focused around weekend and evening classes. Drucker alumni within five years of graduation may also apply to the J.D. program and, if accepted, can apply Drucker credits toward their law degrees.

Q: What if I graduated more than five years ago?

A: Southwestern alumni who graduated more than five years ago may also apply to Drucker but, if accepted, they will not be able to apply Southwestern credits toward their Drucker degree. Moreover, Drucker will not give special consideration to alumni applicants more than five years post-J.D. Drucker alumni who graduated more than five years ago may also apply to Southwestern but, if accepted, they will not be able to apply Drucker credits toward their law degree. Moreover, Southwestern will not give special consideration to alumni applicants more than five years post-degree.

Q: Are there a limited number of spots available in the concurrent-degree program?

A: There is no formal limit, but both schools are looking for students who have demonstrated exceptional ability and a compelling interest in combining business and law.

Q: If I complete the program successfully will I receive one diploma or two?

A: You will receive two diplomas - the J.D. from Southwestern and the M.B.A., or E.M.B.A from Drucker.

Q: What are the admission requirements for the concurrent-degree program?

A: All applicants must complete the standard application for each school, and submit required test scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. At least one letter should explicitly address the candidate's fitness for the concurrent-degree program (see question below regarding letters of recommendation). Southwestern applicants must also submit an additional essay explaining their motivation for earning a business degree as well as the experiences and activities that qualify them for this program. Interviews are also part of the application process.

Prior to submitting their application to Drucker, all Southwestern applicants (prospective and current law students as well as recent graduates) must schedule an interview with Molly Selvin, Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Programs. Drucker applicants must schedule an interview with Brandon Tuck, Director of Admissions (drucker@cgu.edu or (909) 607-7811).

Q: Who should I ask to write the letter of recommendation and what should it say?

A: Business school and law school are each intense academic experiences requiring a high level of skill and commitment. To assess whether applicants have the ability to complete two demanding degrees, we want to hear from someone who knows you as a student, intern or employee. We urge current business and law students to ask one of their professors at Southwestern or Drucker to write on their behalf. New applicants to either school should submit a letter from a college professor or their current employer. Recommendation letters should address the applicant's academic abilities, interest in pursuing the concurrent degrees and other qualities or experiences that bear upon his or her qualifications for this program.

Q: Why do you require an interview?

A: Since we want to maximize the likelihood that students accepted into the program will successfully complete both degrees, interviews provide another opportunity to assess an applicant's ability and motivation to pursue the rigorous course of study. To schedule an interview, please contact Molly Selvin, Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Programs. Drucker students and alumni should contact Brandon Tuck, Director of Admissions (drucker@cgu.edu or (909) 607-7811).

Q: What are the application deadlines for the concurrent-degree program?

A: Southwestern reviews applications on a rolling basis. The application deadline is April 1, but later submissions will still be considered. Drucker has a "priority" due date of February 15, but accepts applications every month after that. Students who submit their applications by February 15 will receive priority consideration for financial aid.

Q: If I am a current Drucker student, do I have to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)?

A: Yes.

Q: When can I take the LSAT?

A: The LSAT is offered four times a year. The test is administered by the Law School Admission Council and more information can be found at www.lsac.org. Southwestern is an LSAT test site.

Q: If I am a current Southwestern student or recent graduate, do I have to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)?

A: The Drucker School will accept the LSAT in lieu of the GMAT for current Southwestern students applying for the M.B.A. program who are in the top half of their class. The Drucker School will also waive the GMAT for alumni within five years of graduation who were ranked in the top half of their class and for students entering Southwestern in the Fall 2009 term or later who score 155 and above on the LSAT. All M.B.A. applicants who do not meet these requirements must take the GMAT. E.M.B.A. students are not required to take the GMAT.

Q: When can I take the GMAT?

A: The GMAT is offered frequently. Visit www.mba.com/mba to register and locate a test site. The Drucker School also hosts a Kaplan GMAT Prep Course in the early summer. For more information about this on-campus course, please contact Danielle Coffin at (909) 607-5117 or danielle.coffin@cgu.edu.

Q: How much will the concurrent-degree program cost?

A: Students are responsible for paying the tuition and fees based on the units they take at each school. These costs are charged by the schools respectively. Click here for more information.

Q: How will financial aid be handled?

A: A student's "home" school will disburse funds to the other institution during terms of concurrent enrollment. Southwestern will be the "home" school for anyone who starts the program there; Drucker will be the "home" school for current business students who are admitted to the concurrent-degree program. Click here for additional information on financial aid.

Q: If I still have questions, who should I contact?

A: At Southwestern, contact Molly Selvin, Assistant Dean for Interdisciplinary Programs, at mselvin@swlaw.edu or (213) 738-6624; at The Drucker School, contact Brandon Tuck at drucker@cgu.edu or (909) 607-7811.