MBA Courses & Core Curriculum at a Glance
First semester
Work with your core teams and participate in leadership activities while tackling subjects like finance, marketing, and strategy—teamwork, leadership, and feedback are seamlessly integrated.
Turn ambition into impact with a tailored curriculum, a unique set of Ithaca and NYC course options, and a community of faculty, staff, peers, and friends who have your back.
The two-year MBA program is unique in its tight-knit community, one-of-a-kind curriculum, and dual-campus approach. You’ll be prepared to hit the ground running and stand out among your colleagues—first during your internship and then again as you begin your new career.
Johnson’s STEM-designated, full-time two-year MBA program features a one-of-a-kind curriculum, with fully integrated leadership development components, the opportunity to take advantage of programming offered in partnership with Cornell Tech in New York City, and a required summer internship. With Johnson’s unique two-year MBA immersion learning approach, you’ll be able to focus your studies on an industry of your choice in your first year—you’ll learn more, sooner. Whether you’re looking to enhance your existing career or switch to a new one, you’ll chart a path that will lead you to make the biggest impact.
The program’s STEM designation recognizes a path in management science with an emphasis on data analytics, technology, and other similar disciplines integral to contemporary business leadership.
International students on an F-1 visa pursuing the program are eligible for a STEM OPT extension, enabling them to work in their field for a total of up to 36 months in the US. This extra 24 months makes them more hirable, affords them extended professional training, provides work authorization for a required summer internship, and gives them additional chances in the annual lottery for limited US H-1B skilled worker visas.
Degree Awarded
MBA from Cornell
Program Location
Ithaca, NY
Program Format
2 years, full-time residential
Work with your core teams and participate in leadership activities while tackling subjects like finance, marketing, and strategy—teamwork, leadership, and feedback are seamlessly integrated.
Dive in with one of seven immersion options, a defining characteristic of the Two-Year program. These courses and their accompanying projects and cases are based on a specific career path and industry. Learn from Johnson’s outstanding faculty and leading practitioners.
Complete an internship. All two-year MBA programs feature an internship component, so what makes Johnson’s different? Your immersion will prepare you far more than your colleagues. You’ll hit the ground running, perform well, and be more likely to receive full-time employment.
Take what you’ve learned from your internship and use electives to fill in the gaps during your final year. You’ll have access to more than 120 electives across a wide range of concentrations at Johnson, plus electives across the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the rest of Cornell University, along with the option to take weekend courses at Cornell Tech. Round out your experience by participating in, and leading, one (or more) of Johnson’s 80+ professional, regional, and diversity clubs.
Many MBAs choose to spend half of their final semester taking an intensive in fintech, digital marketing, or sustainable global enterprise. You’ll also complete any remaining electives as you prepare for your full-time job. Make your final course selections in areas such as communication, entrepreneurship, family business, management, marketing, economics, brand management, consulting, finance, ethics, technology product management, and so much more.
The two-year MBA program offers a robust curriculum and several co-curricular and extra-curricular benefits. From international treks, leadership expeditions, student leadership organizations, and lots of interaction with alumni who can offer guidance and advice – you’ll be in good company. Maximize your experience with immersion learning opportunities to elevate your career outcomes.
While many MBA programs are known for their cut-throat, competitive environment, this is not the case at Johnson. Our students are dedicated and hardworking (it’s the Ivy League, after all), but they’re also supportive and willing to lend a hand to their peers.
Photo Credit: @judi_byers on Instagram
Teamwork is an essential part of the Cornell MBA experience. But our community goes beyond that. Second years act as coaches to the first years. Faculty get to know the people in their classes. Diversity of culture, thought, and experience is of the utmost importance—Johnson was one of the first top business schools to have an Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Students set ground rules for interacting with each other and define expectations on the earliest days of preterm.
It’s clear: Here we know success as a group is just as valuable as your next big promotion.
Photo Credit: @judi_byers on Instagram
Claire Seizovic and Diana Fahning, both MBA ’23, reflect on helping Stone Bend Farm fix its business model via the Big Red Microenterprise program.
10 Under 10 honoree and venture capitalist Patrick George is a Marine Corps officer and entrepreneur whose new mission is mentoring startups.
Colin Anderson, MBA ’23, encourages students to find their purpose.
*Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis. Stay up to date with application deadlines for Johnson’s MBA programs to make sure you are on track.