CEMS MIM FAQs

No. The first two terms of your program, the Fall and Spring semesters, constitute your ‘CEMS year.’ Your CEMS course requirements and your term abroad must be completed during the CEMS year. The CEMS curriculum is consistent across all 34 CEMS schools. Your final semester is spent at Cornell University to complete the MPS in Applied Economics and Management degree requirements.

Your CEMS peers from other schools will have already completed at least the equivalent of a business minor. Starting in your first CEMS term, you will be working in teams and collaborating with students from across the CEMS network who have significant training in business. This business knowledge will also be needed in your second semester as you work on your Global Business Projects. 

CEMS students study abroad in their first or second semesters. The semester abroad will vary depending on your concentration requirements and exchange school academic schedule. Concentration schedules will likely be as follows:

All CEMS students are invited to participate in the local CEMS Club. Cornell’s is known as CEMS Club USA. In addition, Cornell offers countless ways to supplement your studies: more than 1,000 student organizations, hundreds of opportunities to serve the Ithaca community, 60 sororities and fraternities, intramural and club sports teams and leagues, opportunities to cheer on Cornell Big Red student athletes, outdoor adventure and climbing trips, and so much more. You may also benefit from exploring the Graduate School’s Student Communities page.

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a tool of the European Higher Education Area for making studies and courses comparable across jurisdictions. ECTS has been adopted by most of the countries in the European Higher Education Area as the national credit system and is increasingly used elsewhere. The conversion rate from ECTS to Cornell academic credit units is approximately 2 ECTS to 1 Cornell credit.

No. The MPS in AEM with CEMS is the integration of the Dyson School’s industry-specific professional masters with the CEMS designation in international management. The CEMS student cohort at Cornell and at each student’s host school abroad is comprised of students from CEMS schools around the world. Students are on a path to global citizenship through the MPS and CEMS curriculums, global network of students, alumni and corporate partners, cultural immersion, and leadership opportunities offered by CEMS.

At the end of the program, you will receive two highly ranked qualifications: a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University as well as the CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) certificate.

We ask students to rank their host school preferences in their application, and we do our best to match them with their highest-ranked school, but because we have a limited number of spaces at each host location CEMS students are not always able to attend one of their top-ranked schools. Instruction at all CEMS schools around the world is in English and students have a diverse and global experience no matter where they study.

No. You are required to select a concentration when you apply. Your application is reviewed by a faculty committee specific to your concentration and your offer letter will be specific to your concentration.

STEM designation reflects the emphasis throughout the curriculum on analytics and data-driven decision making. For international students, the STEM designation offers an additional potential benefit. If approved by the USCIS, Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides many F-1 visa students with the opportunity to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months, gaining valuable experience related to their field of study.

Students graduating from STEM designated programs may apply for an additional 24-month extension to their post-completion OPT, providing up to 36 months of temporary employment in the U.S. if approved by USCIS. Since CEMS students are registered at Cornell for three semesters, they are eligible to apply for OPT.

Yes. Cornell’s International Services team assists international students with student visa applications.