Three-Year J.D./MBA Program

  1. Academics
  2. Dual and Joint Degrees
  3. Three-Year J.D./MBA Program

Prepare to be a leader at the intersection of business and law.

Rapidly increasing technological innovation and globalization have shattered traditional barriers between fields of study. Columbia University’s Three-Year J.D./MBA Program gives you the cross-disciplinary tools to solve today’s most pressing challenges in the business world. 

Our program is designed for highly motivated students seeking a rigorous education in both law and business. The accelerated course of study gives you the opportunity to earn degrees from both Columbia Law School and Columbia Business School in just three years—and enter the job market a full year earlier than typical joint degree programs allow. 

As a student in the program, you will:

  • Build a strong foundation in law and business theory, policy, and practice.
  • Gain expertise in specific fields of interest through electives.
  • Study with renowned faculty who shape policy through their groundbreaking research.
  • Tap into Columbia’s powerful alumni networks in both disciplines, which provide worldwide access to trailblazers across industries.

Important Links

Apply via the Business School Website Supplemental form: Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report Register for an info session: October 3, 2023 at 12:00 ET

Program Timeline

Year One
Spend the first year of the program at the Law School completing the first-year foundation curriculum requirements. 

Year Two
In the second year, enroll at the Business School and complete the core curriculum requirements. You may begin taking electives at both schools.

Year Three
In the third year of the program, enroll at the Law School but may register for courses at both schools, including classes that are cross-listed by both the Business School and the Law School. 

 

Academic Requirements

You must earn a total of 71 law credits and 45 business credits (in addition to separate requirements from each school) and satisfy all degree requirements for both schools. Although this restricts flexibility in course selection, you can choose from a wide range of elective offerings at both schools in disciplinary areas outside of business law.

 

J.D. Requirements

  • All first-year foundation courses
  • A course in professional responsibility
  • A course in Legislation and Regulations 
  • The Major Writing requirement
  • The Minor Writing requirement
  • A minimum of 40 hours of pro bono service
  • At least six points of experiential coursework credit

 

MBA Requirements

While in residence at the Business School, you can “test out” of certain core requirements by taking exemption exams prior to the start of classes. Exempting out of core classes means that students may take an elective in place of those classes; it does not reduce the total number of Business School credits required for the dual degree.

Because some of the core curriculum requirements at the Business School are cross-listed with the Law School, you must replace any exempted cross-listed core course with another cross-listed course. 

Contact Kristen Casano, assistant director, Advising and Academic Success at the Business School, with any questions regarding the MBA degree requirements. For more information about the MBA degree requirements, visit the Business School’s webpage.