A Fast, Flexible Path from Scientific Discovery to Business Leadership
Rensselaer’s Accelerated Science + MBA program allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science in a School of Science discipline and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in just five years or less. This innovative pathway is designed for high-achieving undergraduates who want to pair scientific or technical expertise with top-tier business, leadership, and management skills.
You’ll build a competitive edge through early exposure to business coursework, hands-on experiential learning, and mentorship from expert faculty and alumni—all while saving time and tuition.
Program Overview & Timeline
What makes this dual-degree program unique?
This is a streamlined, co-terminal pathway that starts as early as your freshman year or as late as your senior year, depending on your schedule. Students complete two MBA courses as undergraduates and finish the remainder in two graduate semesters or fewer.
At a glance:
- Years 1–3: Complete your science major and explore business seminars.
- Year 4 (Senior Year): Take 2 MBA courses—one in the fall and one in the spring. With RPI’s credit-sharing policy, these count as undergraduate free electives.
- Year 5 (Graduate Year): Complete 5 MBA courses per semester to finish the 36-credit MBA, which is focused on technology, leadership, strategy, and innovation.
- Finish with 2 degrees in about 5 years: a B.S. from the School of Science and an MBA from the Lally School of Management.
Conditional on academic performance, students may qualify for a significant merit-based tuition award during their MBA year.
Career Outcomes
Unlock a powerful combination of science and business.
The Accelerated Science + MBA program is designed to prepare graduates for high-impact roles in industries where science, technology, and business intersect.
Program graduates stand out with the ability to:
- Translate scientific discoveries into market-ready innovations
- Bridge the gap between technical teams and executive leadership
- Make strategic, financial, and operational decisions backed by data
- Lead startups, manage projects, and accelerate innovation pipelines
Lally MBA alumni work at top firms, including:
Google, GE, IBM, Raytheon, Deloitte, Cisco, Lockheed Martin, Bristol Myers Squibb, Credit Suisse, and Formlabs.
Admissions & Application
Who is this program for?
RPI undergraduates in biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, physics, math, or interdisciplinary science who want to lead in biotech, life sciences, AI, software, sustainability, data analytics, and more.
When can I start?
You can join the pre-program as early as the end of your freshman year and officially apply to the MBA in your junior year.
Requirements:
- Enrollment in the School of Science
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Completion of 15 credits at the 4000 level before applying
- Attendance at pre-MBA seminars
- Application materials: essays, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation
FAQs
Yes. Most students complete the B.S. + MBA within five years by taking two MBA courses senior year and finishing the rest in the fifth year.
All majors in the School of Science are eligible—including biological sciences, computer science, math, physics, chemistry, and more.
Qualified students may receive a merit-based tuition award during their MBA semesters. This helps reduce the cost of an additional degree.
You’ll be equipped for roles like Product Manager, Innovation Lead, Strategy Analyst, Research Operations Director, Tech Consultant, or Entrepreneur—especially in science, software, life sciences, fintech, and health tech sectors.
A tech-focused, 36-credit MBA emphasizing analytics, leadership, finance, and innovation, with a strong STEM foundation.
