The Columbia MBA

One MBA, Several Formats: Which option is right for you?

Key similarities between the Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs:

Full-Time MBA Executive MBA (EMBA)

Degree Earned Columbia MBA Columbia MBA

Number of Credits 60 60

Start of Program August and January August, January and May

Length of Program 20 Months (August) / 16 Months (January) 20 Months (Fri/Sat) / 24 months (Sat)

Curriculum Core curriculum and elective offerings Core curriculum and elective offerings

Faculty Taught by full-time faculty of leading academics

and practitioners (adjunct faculty) Taught by full-time faculty of leading academics

and practitioners (adjunct faculty)

Cluster/Learning Team System Yes Yes

Career Management Center Access to dedicated Career Management team

for professional development Access to dedicated Career Management team

for professional development

Students High-quality applicants from diverse pool of

industries and functions High-quality applicants from diverse pool of

industries and functions

Alumni Network Global network of 39,000 Global network of 39,000

Class Location On-campus in Warren Hall and Uris Hall On-campus in Warren Hall and Uris Hall

International Citizens 35%-40% on average 30%-35% on average (Fri/Sat)

Women 35%-40% on average 30%-35% on average (Fri/Sat)

Ability to complete degree as a part-time student

No No

Key differences between the Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs:

Full-Time MBA EMBA Friday/Saturday EMBA Saturday Work Experience 3-7 years (middle 80% range) 5-14 years (middle 80% range – Fri/Sat) n/a

Average Years of Work Experience

5 10 n/a

Age Range 22–37 27-43 n/a

Company Sponsorship

Not required Required Not Required

Employment During Program

No Required Required

Class Schedule Monday-Thursday Every other Friday and Saturday from 8:30

a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Start Date August or January August or January May

Length of Program Meets for 4 terms over 16 (January) /

20 (August) months Meets for five terms over 20 consecutive

months Meets for six terms over 24 consecutive

months

International Seminar Trip

Optional Required Required

Residency Weeks n/a Two residency weeks required, plus the

International Seminar in the second year Three residency weekends required, plus

the International Seminar in the second year

Summer Internship

Expected for August intake, not available for January intake

Not available Not available

Cost Approximately $110,000 total tuition for the program, not including books

and fees

Approximately $150,000 total, including tuition, books, meals, and accommodations

during the International Seminar and Orientation

Approximately $150,000 total, including tuition, books, meals, and accommodations

during the International Seminar and Orientation

Class Size 700+, 11 clusters (8 for August and 3

for January) 200+, 4 clusters (2 for August and 2 for

January) 60, 1 cluster

May I apply to more than one of your MBA programs at once?

Columbia does not accept simultaneous applications to its MBA programs. You should make your application to the program that most closely reflects your

professional, personal and geographic interests and experience. Admissions officers will be happy to offer guidance with your choice. If you wish to explore the

possibility of admission to a different program before you submit the application, simply change your program/term selection from the application drop down

menu. If you wish to consider switching to a different program/term after your application has been submitted, please contact our office for further guidance.

Full-Time MBA Options: Early Decision, Regular Decision, and January

Early Decision vs. Regular Decision

The Early Decision option is ideal for candidates who have completed their research about MBA programs and are committed to attending Columbia. Early

Decision applications are reviewed before Regular Decision applications, and Early Decision applicants must sign a Statement of Commitment: “I am

committed to attending Columbia Business School and will withdraw all applications and decline all offers from other schools upon admission to

Columbia Business School.” Those who are offered admission have up to two weeks to submit their nonrefundable $6,000 deposit and withdraw all other

applications submitted to other schools. Applicants who are not yet ready for this level of commitment are encouraged to apply for Regular Decision.

January vs. August

The January and August paths are identical in terms of competitiveness of admissions, academic rigor and student resources. Students who enroll in

August are presented with an internship option after their first year of studies. Students who do not want or need an internship may be a good fit for our

January Program. The January Program may be ideal for students who wish to remain in the same industry after graduation, will return to their previous

employer or to a family business after graduation, or pursue entrepreneurial interests.

Which Full-Time MBA Option is right for you?

Full-Time MBA (Early Decision)

Full-Time MBA (Regular Decision)

Full-Time MBA (January)

Summer Internship Expected Expected Not available

Program Length Begin in August, graduate 20

months later in May Begin in August, graduate 20

months later in May Begin in January, graduate 16

months later in May

Binding Agreement if Admitted

Yes No No

Initial Deposit Required if Admitted (applied to tuition)

$6,000 nonrefundable, due within two weeks of Admission

$2,000 nonrefundable $2,000 nonrefundable

Start Date August August January

Length of Program Meets for 4 terms over 20

months Meets for 4 terms over 20 months

Meets for 4 terms over 16 months

Executive MBA Options: Early Decision, Regular Decision, January, and Saturday

Early Decision vs. Regular Decision (only applies to EMBA Friday/Saturday)

The Early Decision option is ideal for candidates who have completed their research about EMBA programs and have are committed to attending

Columbia. Early Decision applications are reviewed before Regular Decision applications, and Early Decision applicants must sign a Statement of

Commitment: “I am committed to attending Columbia Business School and will withdraw all applications and decline all offers from other schools upon

admission to Columbia Business School.” Those who are offered admission have up to two weeks to submit their nonrefundable $6,000 deposit and

withdraw all other applications submitted to other schools. Applicants who are not yet ready for this level of commitment are encouraged to apply for

Regular Decision.

January vs. August (only applies to EMBA Friday/Saturday)

The January and August paths are identical in terms of competitiveness of admissions, academic rigor, student profiles and resources. The only difference

is what month the term begins (either in January or August) and what month students complete the degree (either in August or May).

Every other Friday/Saturday vs. Every Saturday

The EMBA Friday/Saturday and EMBA Saturday paths are identical in terms of competitiveness of admissions, academic rigor and resources. EMBA

Friday/Saturday is appropriate for those who have been granted company sponsorship, whether financial (not required) and/or time-off (required), and

EMBA Saturday is an option for those professionals who cannot or choose not to take time away from their job to pursue their studies. Company

sponsorship is not required for the EMBA Saturday program, however all applicants must be employed throughout the program.

EMBA Friday/Saturday S M T W Th F S

x x x x

EMBA Saturday S M T W Th F S

x x

x x

Which Executive MBA Option is right for you?

EMBA August

(Early Decision) EMBA August

(Regular Decision) EMBA (January) EMBA Saturday

Program Length Begin in August, graduate 20

months later in May Begin in August, graduate 20

months later in May Begin in January, graduate 20

months later in August Begin in May, graduate 24

months later in May

Binding Agreement if Admitted

Yes No No No

Deposit Required if Admitted (applied to

tuition)

$6,000 nonrefundable, due within two weeks of Admission

$2,000 nonrefundable $2,000 nonrefundable $2,000 nonrefundable

Company Sponsorship Required Required Required Not Required

Employment During Program

Required Required Required Required

Class Schedule Every other Friday and

Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Every other Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to

6:45 p.m.

Every other Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to

6:45 p.m.

Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Start Date August August January May

Length of Program Meets for five terms over 20

consecutive months Meets for five terms over 20

consecutive months Meets for five terms over 20

consecutive months Meets for six terms over 24

consecutive months