Program Overview

Program Overview

The Dual MBA/Executive MS: Engineering & Applied Science program is a unique offering that combines the strengths of Columbia Business School and Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. This program is designed for entrepreneurs, engineers, or product managers looking to leverage new technologies or design and implement innovative products and solutions.

Curriculum

The program is an integrated CBS/SEAS academic experience, where students receive an MBA from Columbia Business School and an Executive MS in Engineering and Applied Science from Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science in less than two years. The curriculum includes:

• 10.5 credits of Engineering core
• 3 credits of advanced Statistics and Business Analytics from the Business core
• A required elective, Foundations of Entrepreneurship
• Core business courses at CBS
• Electives at both schools
• An engineering concentration in one of the following areas:
  • Medical Device Design
  • AI and Machine Learning
  • Supply Chain, Retail and Service Systems
  • Robotics and Smart Machines
  • Climate, Energy, and Sustainability
  • Software Systems, Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
• An engineering capstone project
• A business concentration in entrepreneurship or enterprise

Career Support

The program is taught by leading experts from two of the world's top-ranked schools in business and engineering. Students will have access to a full suite of career resources available through the career centers at Columbia Engineering and Columbia Business School. Career centers at both schools will provide robust career education and advising resources, including:

• Training workshops
• One-on-one career coaching
• Advising on self-assessment, professional pitch development, resume writing, networking, interviewing preparation, and job offer management
• Professional development activities
• Engagement with employers looking to tap the program's talent pool
• Access to the schools' alumni networks to advance their career goals

Program Structure and Curriculum

The dual degree program is designed to be completed in 20 months. Students enter in the fall, study during fall and spring semesters, use the summer term for entrepreneurship or internship, and study in the fall and spring semesters of the following year, whereupon they graduate. The program requires 67.5 total credits, relative to 60 in the standalone MBA program.

Admissions

The program has several rounds of admission, with deadlines in September, January, and March. Applicants can find more information on the MBAxMS Admissions page.

FAQs

The program has a list of frequently asked questions, including:

• When can I apply to the program?
• What degree will I have when I complete the program?
• What is the difference between an Executive MS in Engineering and Applied Science and a traditional MS degree in a specific field?
• Is this program STEM designated?
• Will graduates of the dual degree MBAxMS be considered alumni of both schools?
• How long is the program?
• Is the dual degree program more credits than the traditional MBA program?
• Will classes be held in-person only or will there be online components?
• What courses are offered in the second year after core classes are completed?
• Are there electives that can be taken outside of the two schools in other parts of Columbia University?
• Can applicants with a prior graduate degree, and engineering background or industry experience get credited for some courses?
• For the MS concentration, do you need a previous degree in that area?
• How would the technical skills gained in the executive MS program compare to the technical skills gained in an MS in a specific engineering field?

Testimonials

The program has received positive feedback from students, including:

• Winnie Kim, MBAxMS '26
• Dimple Dhawan, MBAxMS '25
• Nick Wu, MBAxMS '26
• Jordyne Prussak, MBAxMS '25
• Kegan Vosteen, MBAxMS '25

Application Deadlines

The program has several application deadlines, including:

• Round 1: September 3, 2025
• Round 2: January 6, 2026
• Round 3: March 26, 2026

Additional Information

The program is designed to provide students with a broad set of skills related to the development of technical products and services and with in-depth coursework in a specific concentration of interest that may span multiple fields of engineering and applied science. The dual program gives students access to courses within both schools, while standalone MS programs are more focused and specific and only give access within the Engineering school. The Executive MS program is classified as a STEM degree, and foreign national students with F-1 visas are eligible for post-degree work authorization, with up to three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT). Graduates will be members of both alumni populations. The program is taught fully in-person, and students should expect to take all classes in-person on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses.