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 = 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

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. 

Offered in both Winter and Summer quarters, they are:

• 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, and Weekend 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.

If you are interested in applying to this joint program, you must apply and be accepted to Booth according to their application requirements and deadlines:

Booth Full-Time MBA Program:
https://www.chicagobooth.edu/programs/full-time/admissions

Booth Evening MBA Program:
https://www.chicagobooth.edu/programs/evening/admissions

Students who have completed more than 4 classes towards their MPCS degree are not eligible to join the joint program. 

MPCS program students entering the joint program are transferred to Booth residency for the duration of the degree.

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.

Booth students who wish to undertake the joint degree with MPCS must be admitted to and begin the MPCS portion of the joint degree before completing 1100 units of Booth course credit (which includes enrollment in CS immersion course work if applicable). A Booth student registered in 1150 units or more is not eligible for the joint program. 

If you are a first year current Booth student, you are encouraged to apply to the Winter/Spring deadline so that Immersion courses can be started in the Winter quarter, if necessary. If you apply to the Summer/Autumn deadline, you are required to either take and pass the programming placement exam OR take MPCS 50101 Concepts of Programming (Immersion Programming) in the Summer quarter. This will ensure you are ready to start MPCS classes in the Autumn quarter of your 2nd year.  

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.

Students applying to the MPCS to be considered for the Joint MBA/MPCS program should follow the deadlines listed below. Please use these deadlines if you are a current Booth student, an admitted Booth student or a prospective Booth applicant. 

Applications to the joint MBA/MPCS program will be reviewed according to the following schedule:

For Winter/Spring 2020 admission:
Applicaiton Deadline - October 18, 2019
Decision Notification - November 1, 2019

For Summer/Autumn 2020 admission:
Application Deadline - March 27, 2020
Decision Notification - April 17, 2020

The CS Immersion classes are offered in the Winter and Summer quarters.

If you are a first year current Booth student, you are encouraged to apply to the Winter/Spring deadline so that Immersion courses can be started in the Winter quarter, if necessary. If you apply to the Summer/Autumn deadline, you are required to either take and pass the programming placement exam OR take MPCS 50101 Concepts of Programming (Immersion Programming) in the Summer quarter. This will ensure you are ready to start MPCS classes in the Autumn quarter of your 2nd year.  

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.