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MBA students may count up to six points of graduate-level course work at other schools within the University toward the MBA degree. (Those taking independent study, cross-cultural seminar, and Global Business Project courses at the Business School may not be eligible to cross-register. For details, follow the degree requirements link at the bottom of the screen.) For more information on course offerings at other Columbia schools, see the Directory of University Classes. Graduate-level courses are denoted by a number of 4000 or higher. Undergraduate courses may be taken as long as they are in addition to the 60 credits of graduate-level course work required for the MBA degree.  Although the credits from an undergraduate course will not count toward the MBA degree, the grade earned in an undergraduate course will be included in calculating student GPA. 

Please note: the summer is not usually a good time to cross-register because most of what's offered is undergraduate-level. Also, the University summer term calendar is so different from the Business School calendar that it can be logistically difficult to manage. For a list of courses being offered this summer, visit the Columbia University Summer Session website.

Students must observe the deadlines for registration and requirements of the graduate school in which they wish to cross-register. Note that Business School students will receive traditional letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) for courses taken in other schools; they are not permitted to take courses pass/fail. These cross-registration grades appear on transcripts and are included in the calculation of GPAs. Except in special circumstances, first-term students are permitted to register for Business School courses only.

Each school has its own procedures for approving cross-registration requests. Most require obtaining the approval of the instructor and/or a representative of the school’s Academic Affairs office. Since this usually takes place after classes begin, students may wish to bid for a full schedule of Business courses, and then drop one if they are approved for cross-registration.

Those who wish to register for graduate courses in other divisions must first have their request approved by the other school. Students should bring the University add/drop form, signed by the appropriate official at the other school, to the Business School’s Office of Student Affairs, where they will be officially registered. The signed form must be submitted to OSA before the end of the Business School's add/drop period. And if students decide to drop a course from another school, that must also be done through the Business School Office of Student Affairs.

Here is some specific information regarding a few of the other schools’ cross-registration procedures:

Law School (http://www.law.columbia.edu/academics/registrar/crossreg)

Visit this website and use the links for the on-line course guide or directory of courses to find courses. To enroll in a Law course you must complete their cross-registration form. You must then obtain the signature of the instructor and submit the completed form to their Office of Registration Services, 500 Warren Hall. (It's not necessary to have the form signed by a Business School representative.)  If approved for the course, you must then bring the paperwork to the Business School's Student Affairs Office to be officially registered. Be aware that Law School courses usually begin a week before Business School courses. Check with the Law School regarding the date of your first class session.

SIPA (http://sipa.columbia.edu/academics/sipa_registration/nonsipa-instructions.html) 

SIPA cross registration procedures have been revised effective Spring 2013.  Non-SIPA students interested in cross-registration at SIPA will now submit their request online. The form is not currently active; they will begin to accept registration requests on 1/22/13. Students will be automatically registered by SIPA OSA if admitted into a course. Complete information regarding the new process is available online at: http://sipa.columbia.edu/academics/sipa_registration/nonsipa_instructions.html.

GSAS (http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsas/academic.html)

Visit this website to find courses in specific programs or departments. Bring a completed University Add/Drop form, signed by the instructor, to the Business School’s Student Affairs Office.

Journalism School (http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/page/467/11)

Teachers College (http://www.tc.columbia.edu/academics/index.htm)

Because it is an affiliated institution, courses taken at Teachers College are not covered by our flat-rate tuition. Students wishing to take an academic or applied arts course at TC must request permission from the Business School's Student Affairs Office by submitting a written summary of how that course directly relates to their MBA studies and career goals. If granted, the course will count toward the MBA degree and the Business School will cover the cost of the tuition. If not approved, students may, of course, still take a TC course but it will not be counted toward the MBA degree, and the student will be responsible for the additional TC tuition charge.

For schools not listed above, consult the individual school’s Academic Affairs Office regarding their cross-registration process.