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Columbia University
Columbia Business School

3022 Broadway
Uris Hall, Room 101
New York, NY 10019
United States

In the school's own words...

Columbia Business School's philosophy is to provide a framework for students to think in broader terms about their role in business and society, and prepare them with the skills, knowledge and experience to respond to the challenges of a rapidly changing world. The School ensures that environmental and social issues are woven throughout the core curriculum, elective courses, extra-curricular activities and in academic research.

The School’s Individual, Business and Society (IBS) curriculum equips students not only with the fundamentals of management, but also with the ability to thoughtfully consider the sometimes competing demands of business, individuals and society at large. Core course lectures and case studies prepare students to think critically about these topics. Orientation events, guest lecturers and panels complement the in-class discussions.

The School also offers a range of electives that address social and environmental issues across many divisions, including: Business Economics, Finance, International Business, Management, Marketing, Operations Management and Social Enterprise. Faculty members include leading academics, as well as practitioners who come to campus as adjunct professors, guest lecturers and speakers in the classroom.

Columbia Business School places strong emphasis on attracting students with diverse backgrounds and interests. These students take leadership roles in organizing events, bringing speakers to campus and collaborating with faculty and staff members on activities that highlight social and environmental issues, including annual conferences, distinguished speaker sessions, lunchtime panels, career activities, study trips and social events with students, alumni and professionals. Specific activities include the annual Social Enterprise conference, Paul M. Montrone Seminar Series on Ethics, Global Social Venture Competition, the KPMG Peat Marwick/Stanley R. Klion Forum and pro bono consulting projects with international development organizations, small businesses and nonprofits.

A number of centers and programs encourage students to explore social and environmental issues within and outside the classroom. The Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics is the umbrella for activities related to: individual leadership and integrity; corporate governance; and corporate social responsibility. The Social Enterprise Program supports summer internships with nonprofit and public sector organizations and social ventures, and provides loan assistance to graduates in social enterprise. The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center has funded socially conscious business ventures and provides mentoring by matching students with experienced entrepreneurs and financiers. The Chazen Institute of International Business supports study trips with students and faculty members that have a CSR and international development focus. The Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate has supported winning business plans that address urban renewal and community development issues as part of its Sheldon Seevak Real Estate Business Plan competition.

Faculty members who address social and environmental issues expose students to innovative ideas, theory and research, offer educational and career advice, and provide a starting point for networking with organizations in the nonprofit, public and business sectors. Faculty activities include research on CSR, corporate governance, microfinance, market mechanisms to protect the environment, research symposia, and participation in various industry working groups and organizations including the World Bank, Council on Foreign Relations, and the Pew Oceans Commission.

School Demographic Information