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Academic Standards (students entering 2009-2010 academic year)

Columbia Business School’s academic standards ensure the integrity, consistency, and long-term value of the MBA experience while providing a framework for students to acquire the knowledge and the social intelligence to become sophisticated, ethical leaders. Starting in fall 2009, new academic guidelines will be instated that include a new curve that permits more Hs and HPs and minimum GPA requirements that will carry consequences for low cumulative GPAs.

Grading Curve
All core courses are graded on a forced curve.  Faculty members can apply the curve within one section or across all sections taught. All students in flex-core courses will be graded on a curve, even if they are taking the course as an elective.

The curve for fixed-core courses is:
H                25-30 %
HP              55-65 %
P, LP, F      10-15 %

The curve for flex-core courses is:
H                          less than 35 %
HP, P, LP, F         greater than 65 %

The courses that make up the core curriculum follow:

First Semester


1st half Corporate Finance Financial Accounting Managerial Statistics Managerial Economics Strategy Formulation
2nd half Marketing Strategy Operations Management Leadership Development

Second Semester


1st half Global Economic Environment Decision Models Managing Marketing Programs Elective 1 Elective 2
2nd half Menu 1: Organizations Menu 2: Performance Menu 3: Markets
Organizations Performance Markets
Organizational Change Operations Strategy Game Theory and Business
Power and Influence Financial Planning and Analysis Global Economic Environment II: Business Cycles and Financial Markets
Social Networks and Social Capital
Strategy Structure and Incentives


Minimum GPA Requirements, Probation and Dismissal
During the academic review process at the end of each semester, the Office of Student Affairs monitors the academic performance of all students and makes available a support system for those in need of assistance.

Students whose GPAs fall below the minimum requirements are subject to probation or dismissal.

GPA calculations are weighed by the number of credits and based on the following: H=10, HP=7, P=4, LP=1, F=0. Minimum GPA requirements by term and for graduation are as follows:

Timing GPA Requirement Consequence
After Term 1: GPA less than 4.80 Probation
  GPA less than 4.40 Dismissal
     
Subsequently: GPA less than 5.60 Warning
  GPA less than 5.20 Probation
  GPA less than 4.80 Dismissal
     
Graduation: GPA greater than or equal to 5.50
   

Please Note:

- A student can be on probation for one semester, at most. A second probation implies dismissal.

- A student can appeal his/her dismissal to the Academic Standards Committee that could allow the student to stay in the program under certain conditions.

- A student who was dismissed from the School might apply, via regular admissions procedure, to the program. If admitted he/she might have the option of using credit for certain past courses taken at the School.