3-Year JD/MBA | 4-Year JD/MBA | |
| Application Process* | Single application to both programs via Columbia Business School; applying jointly via the single application is the primary and preferred method. | Application submitted separately to Columbia Law School's JD Program and Columbia Business School's MBA Program. You may be admitted or rejected to both, one, or neither. |
| Application Deadline / Latest Entry Point | Single entry point (Fall semester only). February 15 application deadline (see footnote 1 below). | Multiple Entry Points: February 15 for new dual degree applicants (i.e, not already enrolled at either school). If already enrolled at Columbia Law School, deadline is the CBS Round 2 deadline of the 2L year, to begin in August of the 3rd year. If already enrolled at Columbia Business School, the CLS deadline is February 15 of the first year, to begin in August of the 2nd year. |
| Residency Requirement | Program must begin at Columbia Law School (no exceptions). Years 1 and 3 are at Columbia Law School (4 total semesters of Law residence are required). Year 2 is at Columbia Business School (2 total semesters of Business residence are required). | Program may begin at either school. 5 total semesters at Columbia Law School and 3 total semesters at Columbia Business School are required. Total residency semesters at either school do not need to be concurrent, but the 1L year at Columbia Law must be two consecutive semesters, beginning in the fall term. |
| Minimum Law Credits Required | 71 | 71 |
| Minimum Business Credits Required | 45 | 45 |
| Cross-Listed Courses: Counted toward Both Degrees | Yes, from the start of the program. | Permitted once a student is officially enrolled in both programs (i.e., if a student enrolls in the 4-Year program after completing two years at Columbia Law School, year 1 and 2 courses do not count, even if some of those prior courses are cross-listed). |
| Curricular Flexibility / Restrictions | Curriculum is very focused and more narrow at both schools to ensure students meet all requirements in time to graduate (see sample schedule). Certain curricular offerings in the traditional programs, such as study abroad in the JD program, are not permitted. Other offerings, such as clinics and externships, may be more difficult to undertake and/or very limited. | Curriculum is still very focused but given the longer timeframe, students may have more flexibility, depending on when they begin the 4-Year program. Curricular offerings in the traditional programs, such as clinics and externships may be possible with careful planning and close consultation with your academic advisors. |
| Career Counseling / Summer Placement Schedule | Law placement between first and second year and Law or Business placement between second and third years. | Summer placements depend on the school where studies begin. First summer will be a placement from the first school of enrollment. Subsequent summers can be through either school. |
| Tuition Schedule | Students are charged a single, flat-rate tuition for all three years (6 semesters) covering both schools. Annual increases to the flat-rate tuition are expected. If a student subsequently withdraws from the JD/MBA to enroll in just the JD or MBA program, additional tuition already paid toward the dual degree program is non-refundable. | Law semesters are billed for enrollment at Columbia Law School, and Business semesters are billed for enrollment at Columbia Business School. Tuition will be charged according to the rates effective at the respective school in which the student is in residence each semester. Annual increases to the individual schools' tuition rates are expected. |
| Financial Aid (if applicable) | Students must apply through the Law School's Office of Financial Aid. A joint financial aid package is awarded during the admission cycle, in the spring before matriculation. Columbia Law School processes the financial aid package for the two years at CLS. Columbia Business School processes the financial aid package for the year at CBS. | Students apply separately to each school's financial aid office. Columbia Law School provides the financial aid package during the five semesters at CLS. CLS grants/scholarships can be used only for residence semesters at CLS and will be adjusted for students who enter the 4-Year JD/MBA Program to reflect only five semesters of the original award amount. Columbia Business School provides the financial aid package during the three semesters at CBS. |
Note: 1L Applicants to the 3-Year JD/MBA Program:
- In extenuating circumstances, matriculating 1L students at Columbia Law may apply for late admission consideration by the Round 1 Deadline at Columbia Business School (generally early September), to officially begin the dual degree the spring semester of the 1L year.
- All students accepted into the 3-Year JD/MBA Program during their 1L year at the Law School (Fall semester) will have their tuition rate adjusted to reflect the total annual amount for the 3-Year J.D./MBA academic year tuition rate in their spring semester tuition bill.
- CLS grants/scholarships can be used only for residence semesters at CLS and will be adjusted for 1L students who enter the 3-Year JD/MBA Program to 90 percent of the original award amount.
- Full-tuition and half-tuition scholarships awarded from the Office of JD Admissions can be used only for residence semesters at CLS and will be adjusted to reflect only the four Law semesters of the full- or half-tuition award.
- If interested, students may apply for scholarships at the Business School but aid decisions for the second year will not be rendered until late December, and students therefore will need to make their enrollment decision assuming no aid is available for the Business School residency year.