Course Description
Financial Empowerment Lab NYC is a “hands-on” course for MBA and law students that focuses on financial health and empowerment in underserved NYC communities, including Harlem and Washington Heights. Teams of 3-5 students (with at least one business student and one law student in each) partner with local non-profits and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) on a semester-long project that culminates in a pre-specified deliverable. In the process, students will be exposed to clients of the organization, develop a personal understanding of the financial and legal challenges facing underserved populations, and work on a project that will help the organization better fulfill its mission. This course emphasizes practical learning, innovative problem-solving, and strategic collaboration, enabling students to apply their skills in a meaningful context that contributes to economic justice and positive social change.
Schedule
Spring 2027 (full-semester) class:
- Wednesdays, 9:00 am–12:20 pm, Columbia Business School Manhattanville campus (room TBD).
- Admission by application only. Enrollment capped at 48 students.
- Open to Columbia business and law students. EMBA students are welcome but must be able to attend class on Wednesday mornings.
- Time commitment: About five to six hours per week outside class, on average, on your team’s partner project, with a mix of in-person and virtual work.
Information sessions:
Both sessions cover the same material and are open to students from either school, so attend whichever is more convenient. Lunch is provided for registered attendees.
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 12:30–1:30 pm, Business School (Kravis 370): register for the October 20 session
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 12:30–1:30 pm, Law School (Jerome Greene 102B): register for the October 21 session
Applications:
- Applications are now open! We look forward to reading your applications.
- Note: This is a single application for law and business students. Accepted business school students will be enrolled in B8234 and accepted law school students will be enrolled in L9292.
- Deadline for applications: Friday, October 23, 2026, 11:59 pm (applications received after the deadline will be considered only if seats remain)
- Admission decisions: Monday, October 26, 2026, 5:00 pm
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