FAQs about the MS Programs

All MS programs are eligible for the STEM OPT extension.

The MS programs only have a fall admission cycle.

The Columbia Business School's MS programs do not offer a distance-learning, or part-time study program. Our program requires a full-time, in-residence commitment.

Applicants are welcome to apply to other programs outside the Business School within Columbia University. However, you are NOT permitted to apply to more than one program at the Business School during the same admissions cycle. Please understand that each program will have a separate application, fee, and review committee.

You may NOT apply to multiple programs at the Business School during the same admissions cycle. However, you are welcome to apply to other programs at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the larger University as well. Applicants must complete the application requirements for each school.

The MS programs do not allow for transfer students from other Master's or Bachelor's degree programs.

We do accept applications from candidates with three-year undergraduate degrees. Please review our application requirements for program-specific prerequisite requirements.

Columbia Business School does not offer deferrals. Students must start the program at the entry point for which they were admitted. On a case by case basis, the Admissions Committee will consider two potential exceptions: mandatory military deployment and/or the inability to secure a visa after making substantial and timely efforts.

While it is not required for application or admission, we do find that some work or internship experience has proven valuable for the past applicants of the program.

Learn more about MS costs and institutional funding. 

International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) is a resource for international students from the time they are admitted through their entire matriculation at Columbia. ISSO has a robust "News" section that provides updates relevant to international students.

Materials that are not in English must be transcribed by an official and notarized transcription agency. Columbia Business School does not provide referrals to such agencies. A WES evaluation of your transcript is not required.

We require self reported, and/or scanned copies of transcripts and test scores from all applicants, which must be submitted with the completion of your online application. We do not require you to send in an official score report for application to the program. If offered admission, these documents will be required to validate the offer of admission.

International students who do not have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution in which all instruction is conducted in English must take either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the PTE (Pearson Test of English), or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). You may be exempted only if you have earned a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction. We will not accept requests for exceptions to this policy. Your scores must be valid when you submit your application.

International students who do not have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an institution in which all instruction is conducted in English must take either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the PTE (Pearson Test of English), or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). You may be exempted if you have or are currently enrolled in a degree program from an institution in which English is the language of instruction. We will not accept requests for exceptions to this policy.

The TOEFL, PTE, and IELTS scores are valid for two years. Your scores must be valid when you submit your application.

Be sure to self-report your TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS score when completing your application. If admitted, you must submit an official score report. For the TOEFL, Columbia’s ETS code is 2141. For the PTE and IELTS, select Columbia Business School from the list of schools provided. The Admissions Committee will consider only your highest score when reviewing your application.

The exact numbers for this year's entering class can be found in the class profiles for each program.

All applicants are required to take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). These tests report to the MS programs the verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills of the applicants and assess their suitability as a candidate for the program. We will not accept requests for exceptions to this policy under any circumstances.

The GRE or the GMAT will be accepted for application to all of our MS Programs. There is not a specific preference to which exam you take.

Prior to reapplying, we urge candidates to seek to strengthen their applications in any way possible.

If you are considering a reapplication, please consider the ways in which you might strengthen your candidacy. Consider the following:

• Improved GMAT, GRE, and/or TOEFL scores
• Refinement of your professional and research goals
• New essay
• New letters of recommendations

Please be aware that you must file a new application, in addition to paying the current application fee. Applicants must re-provide all materials, including new letters of recommendations.