Joint MBA / MPCS Program

The MBA/MS degree consists of 21 – 23 total courses worth 100-units each. The joint degree advisor for Booth works in close collaboration with the joint student to ensure they meet Booth MBA degree requirements and the financial obligation for both programs; while the Masters Program in Computer Science (MPCS) advisor ensures the student satisfies the MS degree requirements. The requirements for the joint MBA/MS degree are as follows:

Booth School of Business
OLD CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS WHO MATRICULATED PRIOR TO AUTUMN 2021 AND "OPTED OUT" OR NEW CURRICULUM
Booth = 1400 units of Booth only courses 
(plus LEAD which is a zero unit course)

• 300 units of credit for Foundations (Financial Accounting, Microeconomics, and Statistics)
• 600 (of 700) units of credit in the Functions, Management, and Business Environment
• 500 units of credit in Electives
• Qualified Work Experience*
  *Full-time MBA Student requirement only; for students matriculating starting in Autumn 2020 (zero units).

NEW CURRICULUM EFFECTIVE AUTUMN 2021
Booth = 1400 units of Booth only courses 
(plus LEAD which is a zero unit course)

• 300 units of credit for Foundations (Financial Accounting, Microeconomics, and Statistics)
• 700 (of 800)units of credit in the Functions, Leadership and Management, and Business Environment
• 400 units of credit in Electives
• Qualified Work Experience: Full time MBA student requirement only; for students matriculating starting in Autumn 2020 (zero units).

Masters Program in Computer Science = 700-900 units (7-9 classes) of MPCS only courses

• 2 prerequisite classes (programming and math) if needed
• 4 Core courses including 1 Programming, 1 Algorithms and 2 Systems classes
• 3 MPCS Electives

The MPCS degree has two prerequisite (immersion) courses (100-units) a student must fulfill either through course completion or placement exams:

• MPCS 50101 Concepts of Programming
• MPCS 50103 Mathematics for Computer Science (Discrete Math)

Students are encouraged to take course work toward both degree requirements throughout their program. Since both degrees have a reduction in coursework, students may not double count courses towards both degrees. 

Course sequencing begins upon acceptance into both the MBA and MS degree programs. Course planning depends on a student’s:

• Program enrolled at Booth (Full-Time MBA, Evening MBA)
• Results of the MPCS placement exams
• Quarterly course offerings for each program
• Recruiting schedule (if applicable)
• Visa status (F-1 or J-1 Visa-holding students – Full-Time students only)
• Intended quarter of graduation

MPCS courses offering are in the evenings, Monday – Friday, on the Hyde Park campus only, from 5:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

Both the MBA and the MS in CS degrees must be conferred in the same quarter.

Current MPCS students who wish to pursue the joint degree with Booth are only eligible as part of the 
part-time MBA program. There is no path from the MPCS to the Booth Full-Time MBA program as a joint student once you have begun your studies in the MPCS.

MPCS students who wish to undertake the joint degree with Booth must be admitted to and begin the MBA portion of the joint degree before surpassing the halfway point of the MPCS program: no more than 400 units of MPCS course credit may be completed prior to admission and enrollment in the joint program. MPCS Immersion courses are prerequisite courses and are not included in the 400 units of MPCS course 
credit. 


MPCS program students who begin with CS and are subsequently accepted to the Evening MBA or Weekend MBA programs are transferred to Booth residency for the duration of the degrees.

International students on a student visa who have already started in the MPCS are not eligible to apply to the joint program.

MPCS students are encouraged to meet with MPCS administration before applying to Booth to discuss eligibility, program options and course planning.

Students admitted to Booth’s Full-Time MBA program who wish to undertake the joint degree with MPCS must be admitted to and begin both programs in the same academic year. Full-Time Booth students who have started their MBA are not eligible for the joint degree*. Students in Booth’s Evening and Weekend MBA programs who wish to undertake the joint degree with MPCS must be admitted to and begin that program before surpassing the halfway point of the Booth program. No more than 1000 units of Chicago Booth credit may be completed prior to admission and enrollment in the joint program (which includes enrollment in computer science immersion coursework, if applicable). A Booth Evening or Weekend student who has completed more than 1000 units is not eligible for the joint degree. 

*Policy exception for Autumn 2021 Booth starts only: Full-time students who entered Booth in Autumn 2021 are eligible to apply for the joint degree in their second year, and should follow the unit requirement stated above. 

All Booth students entering the Joint MBA/MPCS program will retain their Booth student status. Tuition will continue to be assessed through Booth. International students visa status will remain unchanged.

For current Booth Evening/Weekend students, please be advised that the MPCS must be completed in Chicago. MPCS classes are offered in-person, on the Hyde Park campus, primarily Monday through Thursday evenings. This program can not be completed remotely or on weekends. 

Students who are interested in the Joint MBA/MPCS program must first apply to Booth adhering to their deadlines and admission requirements. 

After securing admission to Booth, you may then apply for the Joint MBA/MPCS Program through the MPCS adhering to the MPCS Joint Program deadlines and admission requirements. You can access the application on our website. 

Students admitted to Booth’s Full-Time MBA program who wish to undertake the joint degree with MPCS must be admitted to and begin both programs in the same academic year. Full-Time Booth students who have started their MBA are not eligible for the joint degree. Please see eligibility requirements above for admitted and current Booth students. 

Students applying to the MPCS to be considered for the Joint MBA/MPCS program should follow the deadlines listed on the MPCS Application Deadlines page. 

A complete MPCS application is required to be considered for the joint program, including transcripts, essay questions and three letters of recommendation. You may self report your GMAT/GRE scores and we can confirm them with Booth. We will not be able to get any other materials from your Booth application. 

Students must be admitted separately to the Booth MBA program and the MPCS MS in Computer Science program to participate in this joint program. Admissions are handled separately by each program.

• Watch the recording of April 2022 Joint MBA/MPCS Webinar here
• Watch the recording of the February 2020 Joint MBA/MPCS Student Panel Webinar here