January-Entry

January-Entry: Your MBA in 16 Months

The January-entry MBA program is a 16-month, full-time program. It's completed over four consecutive semesters with no summer break, making it a great option for entrepreneurs, family business owners, or company-sponsored students who don't need a traditional internship.

Students attend orientation in the spring and finish their core courses over the summer. During this time, students who began in August participate in summer internships. In the fall of the second year, both entry terms merge and all MBA students choose from the same pool of electives, gain access to the same career management resources, participate and lead the same student clubs, and graduate as a single class. 
 

Columbia Business School recognizes that the traditional two-year MBA schedule may not be right for every student. Our January-entry option allows qualified students to skip the summer internship and get their degree in just 16 months, thereby reducing the opportunity cost of being out of the workforce during their studies. The January-entry is identical to the August-entry option in every way but the schedule: same professors, same rigorous core curriculum, same highly selective admissions standards. January-entry students attend orientation in the spring, while August-entry students are beginning their second terms, and finish their core courses over the summer, while August-entry students participate in summer internships.

January-Entry at Columbia Business School

The January-entry MBA program offers several distinct benefits:

  • Accelerated Timeline: The program is 16 months, consisting of four consecutive semesters, allowing students to complete their degree more quickly.
  • Same Curriculum and Faculty: The program is identical to full-time August-entry in terms of faculty teaching in the program and the core curriculum. In fall of the second year, gain access the full range of elective courses.
  • Curriculum Pathways: These are curated sequences of electives courses, tailored to help students choose courses that align with specific career goals
  • No Summer Internship Required: A formal summer internship is not required but all full-time MBA students can take advantage of in-semester internship opportunities.
  • Return to Work Faster: Due to the accelerated timeline, students are out of the workforce for a shorter time

Admissions Process

We begin reviewing applications for the January-entry term as soon as the application becomes available. All applicants are guaranteed a decision by their respective round’s notification deadline. However, decisions may be rendered ahead of these deadlines for those who apply earlier. 

Review the admissions requirements and access the application.