Columbia Business School and Columbia Engineering have created a new master’s degree program that aims to prepare business leaders for the technological demands of a rapidly changing workplace.
The Dual MBA/Executive MS in Engineering and Applied Science program, which will welcome its first class in fall 2023, is intended for students who already have some industry experience and who aspire to launch new companies or join established businesses in roles such as vice president of engineering, chief technology officer, chief information officer, chief operating officer, or senior product manager. The program will offer a broad overview of engineering, matched with advanced training in leadership, strategy, marketing, and management.
According to business-school dean Costis Maglaras, the growing use of data is transforming business models and creating new types of products and services, ushering in a new management culture. In today’s business landscape, “every company is also a technology company,” he says, and business leaders must often work closely with engineers and data scientists to succeed. “Engineering innovations are driving change and disruption across industries and functional roles.”
Engineering dean Shih-Fu Chang says the program will emphasize four key elements: addressing societal challenges, developing breakthrough technologies, cultivating leadership qualities, and embracing human-centric design approaches. “We think of this program as something that is targeted toward solutions that people will adopt and use, so design is an important component,” he says.
