Attendance Requirements

For all MBA Classes

In accordance with the Core Culture of being present, the MBA program requires students to be on time for class and to attend each class in-person.

Academic Advisors and faculty must be notified if students anticipate missing a significant portion of classes. 7 or more consecutive business days of absence from campus when courses are in session is considered significant even if the absences are for an excused reason.

There are grading implications, up to and including failure of courses, for students who are consistently late to class or who are absent for a significant portion of classes without communicating with OSA and their professors in advance.

Students experiencing course absences related to protected class accommodations through Title IX or ODS (Office of Disability Services) should contact their Academic Advisor. Please note that accommodations do not apply retroactively so prompt outreach to the Academic Advising team is crucial if the likelihood of extended absences exists.

Most courses are recorded and students may use class recordings as a study aid. Viewing class recordings cannot be substituted for attending class in-person. Only students who receive accommodations to attend class remotely from Title IX or ODS (Office of Disability Services), or those who test positive for COVID-19 (see below) are permitted to watch recordings in place of attending class in-person, on-campus.

For MBA Core Classes

As stated above, in addition to the requirements of the School and University, and in accordance with Core Culture of being present, the MBA program requires students to attend each class.

Students who miss less than 33% of a class will receive a minimum attendance penalty of 1% for missing 1/12 of the class. For example missing one session of a half-term course (A-term or B-term) or two sessions of a full-term course will receive a minimum of a 1% reduction in their overall course grade. Missing any part of class as a result of lateness or not returning after the break will receive a minimum of a 0.5% reduction in their overall course grade.
Students who miss between 33% and 50% of classes in any individual core course for unexcused reasons will at most receive a P1. For example, if there are 12 class sessions in a term, students cannot miss more than 3 classes in order to be eligible for a grade higher than P1.
Students who miss more than 50% or more of their classes (unexcused) will receive an F.
It is up to the student to keep track of how many unexcused absences they have, and to understand how absences may impact their overall grade in the course.

Depending on individual professors’ requirements, fewer absences than listed above may have additional ramifications including but not limited to maintaining enrollment in the class and course grades. Frequent or significant lateness can also impact a course grade. Check course syllabus for more information specific to each class.

Core Excused Absences

We understand conflicts arise. Below is a list of absences that are considered excused; OSA may require documentation such as a letter indicating dates of illness from a medical professional, legal summons, etc.

Religious observance
Military Service
Court appearance
Illness
Family emergencies, such as death or serious illness of immediate family member

Absences are only excused in the cases listed above and students must provide notification in advance of absence from class. Absences will not be excused for interviews, recruiting, weddings, student activities, conferences, competitions, travel, etc.

Core Excused Absence Form

To log excused absences, students must use the Core Excused Absence Form found on each core course's Canvas home page. Students will not receive confirmation of their submission. Students may follow up with [email protected] at any point during the semester and before final exam week to confirm that they have logged their excused absences completely.

For all MBA Elective Classes

OSA does not assist with tracking or approving elective class absences. While we recommend instructors mirror the policies established for core classes, it is at each faculty member's discretion how they want to handle excused absence requests.
Please review your instructor’s syllabus for details on how attendance will affect your grade.
Communicate any absences directly to the instructor.
Echo360 course recording information is available on ITG's website.

COVID-19 Excused Absences

A COVID-19 diagnosis qualifies as an excused absence. Columbia University does not currently track COVID-19 cases and recommends all personnel follow CDC guidance when it comes to isolation guidelines. Students should be prepared to send either a doctor's note or proof of positive test. The absence will be granted 5 days from the date of the positive test (rapid/antigen or PCR). Students can watch class recordings via echo 360 on Canvas.

For all MBA Core Classes

Students must submit the Core Excused Absence form found on Canvas, denoting the date they tested positive.

For all MBA Elective Classes