FAQs
Who are your students?
How long is the program?
Where are classes held?
Where do students stay during class sessions?
How much time do students spend in the program
and on homework?
Where can I get a schedule of program dates?
What degrees do students earn?
Who are the professors?
What career services are available?
What is the international seminar and
trip?
How much does the program cost?
Is financial aid available?
Do I need to be sponsored?
What are the application deadlines?
How many students enroll each year?
Do I have to take the GMAT before
I apply?
Do I have to take the TOEFL?
What are the requirements for admission?
What are the requirements for reactivating
an application?
How do I visit a class?
How do I apply?
Who are your students?
The program is designed for professionals with a record of achievement and demonstrated leadership ability. The program draws students from all over the United States with a range of cultural, personal and professional backgrounds. Student backgrounds include finance, medicine, law, engineering, sales, and marketing. They have an average of 12 to 13 years of work experience upon entering the program.
How long is the program?
The Berkeley-Columbia Executive MBA program is a 19-month program that begins in May and ends in December of the following year. The program is divided into five terms of three to four months in length. During each term, class sessions meet five times, typically Thursday through Saturday.
Where are classes held?
Classes are held primarily at the Haas School of Business on the UC Berkeley campus. During the course of the program, six sessions are held at Columbia Business School in New York City. Because classes are held on campus at each university, students have easy access to an array of student services including the library, the computer center and the career center, plus the many other cultural, academic, and recreational resources of each university.
Where do students stay during class sessions?
Residency is a requirement of the program. Currently, while at Berkeley, all students stay at the Durant Hotel and while in New York students stay at the Sheraton conveniently located near Midtown.
How much time do students spend in the program and on homework?
The program is geared towards the needs of professionals who want to master today's complex business environment while maintaining a healthy balancing of work, life and education. To minimize time away from the office, classes are held Thursday-Saturday (except while in New York) approximately every three weeks. During these sessions classes typically meet from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Time spent on homework varies by student, but 15-20 hours of homework per week in the first year is average.
Where can I get a schedule of program dates?
An up-to-date program schedule can be found on the Program Dates page of this site.
What degrees do students earn?
Students earn two MBAs, one from UC Berkeley and one from Columbia University, the same degrees awarded in the schools' full-time MBA programs.
Who are the professors?
Program instructors are drawn equally from the faculties of Columbia Business School and the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, even though the majority of your classes are held at UC Berkeley. Our professors are leaders in their fields and many come from industry and contribute to the business community as consultants and board members. Special opportunities arise as each school draws upon its network of resources. A recent summer elective sent students to London Business School for a course with Columbia professor and Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz.
What career services are available?
Career services are available at both the Haas School of Business and at Columbia Business School and include career workshops and seminars held during lunch breaks, one-on-one career coaching, and on-campus recruiting. Access to some career services require written approval from a student's employer depending on the student’s sponsorship level.
What is the International Seminar trip?
The International Seminar trip is a program requirement where students travel abroad for a week of learning through lectures or discussions with local business and government leaders. The course typically includes a combination of classroom lecture time, group projects or site visits over the course of one week of travel. Students choose an International Seminar trip that matches their business interests—whether current or future.
For example, the Munich-based seminar focused on brand strategy and valuation, visual identity and organizational branding issues. Added value came in the form of inside experience with site visits to BMW, electronics giant Siemens and a local brewery.
How much does the program cost?
Fees for students who entered in May 2009 were $144,960, and included tuition, books, accommodations for residency periods and most meals. Airfare is not included.
Is financial aid available?
Financial aid is available through federal and private educational loans. For more information on financial aid, please call Columbia’s Financial Aid Office at (212) 854-4057.
Do I need to be sponsored?
Many students obtain corporate financial sponsorship, which ranges from partial to full support, but financial sponsorship is not required. Applicants must, however, submit written authorization from their employer stating permission to attend class on workdays.
What are the application deadlines?
There are two application deadlines for the class entering in May 2010. Applicants who submit completed applications by the early decision deadline of January 4, 2010, will be notified on February 26, 2010. Applicants who submit completed applications by February 1, 2010, will be notified of their status on April 5, 2010.
How many students enroll each year?
We plan to enroll a class of approximately 65-70 students for May 2010.
Do I have to take the GMAT before I apply?
Yes, all applicants are required to take the GMAT* exam. The GMAT must be taken on or before the deadline for which you are applying. Those applying in the first round must take the GMAT on or before January 4, 2010, and those applying for the second round must take the GMAT on or before February 1, 2010. For May 2010 enrollment, we will accept GMAT scores taken as early as October 2004. If you take the GMAT more than once, we will consider the highest score, as long as that score falls within current test date requirements. Please arrange to have your official GMAT score report sent to the Berkeley-Columbia Executive MBA program, institution code N2V-PT-75.
*GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test. It is a standardized aptitude test required for entrance to the Berkeley-Columbia Executive MBA Program. The test is administered by the Pearson-Vue and is offered year round. You may call Pearson-Vue (800) 717-GMAT or go to mba.com to request a bulletin or to register.
Do I have to take the TOEFL?
All applicants who received their bachelors degrees in countries in which English is not the official language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), including applicants from India, China and most European countries. Only applicants with one of more years of full-time academic study towards an advanced degree at a US institution, with grades of B or better, are exempt. TOEFL test dates are limited, so please schedule your testing date now. Go to toefl.org to register.
What are the requirements for admission?
A joint admissions committee representing both schools evaluates each application on the basis of professional achievement, academic ability and personal attributes.
- Professional Experience. The application includes a detailed work history. Successful candidates present a record of significant achievement and demonstrated leadership ability.
- Academic Preparation. Transcripts from all prior institutions of higher education are required. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree; international applicants must have an equivalent degree from a recognized institution. We do not accept transfer credit.
- GMAT. The Graduate Management Admission Test is required for admission. Candidates must arrange testing and score reporting with the Graduate Management Admission Council at www.mba.com. Most non–native English speakers must also take the TOEFL. (TOEFL test dates are limited, so please schedule your testing date now.)
- Company Sponsorship. Applicants must submit official written authorization from their employer stating permission to attend class on workdays. Some employers also provide financial support.
- Letters of Recommendation. Candidates must submit two letters of recommendation from current or recent supervisors or equivalent (i.e. client) who can attest to their management abilities and potential to take on increased responsibilities.
- Admissions Interview and Personal Essays. The admissions process includes essays and a possible face-to-face interview to assess a candidate’s personal attributes and professional qualifications.
- Application Fee. A fee of $200 must accompany the application.
What are the requirements for reactivating an application?
Reapplicants are required to submit a May 2010 application by creating a new 2010 login account, but do not have to fill out or submit all parts of the application. You are considered a reapplicant if you have submitted an application to the Berkeley-Columbia Executive MBA program or the Haas Evening & Weekend or Full-time MBA programs within the past two years (May 2008 or May 2009). The specific instructions for reapplicants are available in the online application.
How do I visit a class?
To schedule a class visit in Berkeley, please register online. To visit a class in New York, please register here.
How do I apply?
The application process is handled entirely online. For detailed instructions and an application, create a login account here.