Columbia Business School is expanding its MBA portfolio with the launch of a new Professional MBA, a part-time degree designed for experienced professionals who want to accelerate their careers without stepping away from the workforce. The inaugural class will begin in fall 2027, with applications opening in September 2026.
The new program reflects a growing demand for flexible graduate business education that allows students to continue advancing professionally while earning a Columbia MBA. According to Dean Costis Maglaras, the Professional MBA is “for working professionals with 5–10 years of experience who want to integrate their ongoing work with academic study to drive upward momentum and expand responsibility without stepping away from their careers.”
“As the world of work continues to evolve, professionals are seeking educational opportunities that allow them to grow without stepping away from their careers,” Dean Maglaras says. The Professional MBA was created to meet that need, offering students access to Columbia Business School’s faculty, curriculum, and New York City ecosystem while maintaining full-time employment.
Curriculum and Degree Requirements
Students in the Professional MBA will complete the same 60-credit MBA degree awarded by Columbia Business School. The curriculum combines the school’s foundational core courses with a broad selection of electives, allowing students to tailor the program to their professional interests while receiving the same academic credential as other Columbia MBA graduates.
Dean Maglaras explains, “The first year…[students] will come to campus two weeknights each week and complete one long-weekend intensive course per term. Students will move through the core with a dedicated cohort and close-knit learning teams. Beginning in the second year…They can combine weeknight electives with short-format block weeks and, depending on their choices, come to campus as little as one night per week. And, they can self-pace their progress towards completing their degree.”
The program is structured to accommodate working professionals through a schedule that enables students to remain employed while completing coursework. Participants will have access to Columbia’s renowned faculty, experiential learning opportunities, leadership development programming, and extensive alumni network. They will also benefit from the school’s location in New York City, providing proximity to leading companies across finance, consulting, technology, healthcare, media, and entrepreneurship.
Admissions Timeline
Prospective students will be able to apply beginning in September 2026. Columbia plans to offer three admissions rounds, with application deadlines in November 2026, February 2027, and May 2027, ahead of the program’s inaugural fall 2027 start.
Applicants will follow a standard MBA admissions process, including submission of academic transcripts, a résumé, essays, one recommendation, and a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment score. Interviews are conducted by invitation only.
