New Joint MS/MBA Program at Harvard

Harvard Business School and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) announced a new joint MS/MBA program beginning in August 2018. The program will award both a Master of Science in Engineering Sciences (MS) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). The program is designed to train future leaders of technology ventures, providing a solid foundation in general management, building design skills, and strengthening students’ understanding of engineering. It is completed in four semesters over two years, plus summer and January term coursework. Students have the summer between the first and second years to work on their own startup idea or at an internship at a tech company.

The program plans to enroll about 30 students annually, looking for students whose undergrad training in engineering or computer science in addition to their work experience will enable them to lead teams that make “how to build it” decisions in technology ventures. Graduates of the program will also be prepared to make “what to build decisions,” which are the domain of startup founders and product managers, as well as CEOs in already established tech companies.

The first year of the program consists of:

• Completing the MBA Required Curriculum (RC)

• Completing the System Engineering course

• Meeting as a cohort at SEAS in the Engineering, Design & Innovation Management Seminar

• Completing the Technology Venture Immersion course during the January term

During the second year, MS/MBA students split their time between SEAS and HBS, enrolling in electives at both schools. They also:

• Take an Integrated Design course

• Complete the Capstone course during the January and spring terms, during which they work in small teams to build and launch a new product

The program is looking for students with the following qualifications:

1. Desire to lead technology ventures

2. Undergrad degree in engineering, computer science, or a related tech field with a record of academic excellence

3. A minimum of two years of full-time work experience, preferably designing and/or developing technology-intensive products

4. Ability to meet the other criteria to admission to HBS’s MBA program

“We are looking for individuals who want to balance their passion for engineering and innovation with a deep understanding of management and leadership,” stated Chad Losee, Managing Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at HBS. “The students we are seeking have already distinguished themselves technically; this program will help propel them into leadership roles.”