Shape what’s next in life sciences and business.
The McKenna Life Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship (MLSBE) Program at Arizona State University empowers future leaders to solve today’s most pressing health care challenges. Through a one-of-a-kind, interdisciplinary curriculum, students earn two degrees and a certificate — all in just four years — while gaining the business insight, scientific knowledge and hands-on experiences needed to drive meaningful innovation.
A new path for tomorrow’s visionaries
From research breakthroughs to biotech startups, the health care industry needs professionals who can lead across both life sciences and business. The MLSBE Program equips students to do just that — combining scientific rigor, entrepreneurial thinking and business frameworks to prepare you for leadership in life sciences innovation.
Established through a generous gift from ASU alumni Mark and Sheri McKenna — Mark is a biotech entrepreneur and founder, chairman and CEO of Mirador Therapeutics Inc. — the program combines the expertise of the W. P. Carey School of Business and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to provide a fully integrated learning experience.
You’ll engage in hands-on research, immersive virtual learning, and internships with life sciences organizations — gaining career-building experiences that connect you with leaders in the field and prepare you to launch your career with confidence.
When you graduate, you’ll receive concurrent bachelor’s degrees and a certificate in the same amount of time as a typical four-year degree program — making you uniquely qualified and prepared for success at the intersection of science and business.
Life sciences and business career success combines:
Business Acumen Entrepreneurial Skills
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Learn from renowned faculty with deep expertise in finance, entrepreneurship and innovation at the largest and one of the top-ranked business schools nationwide.
- Take advantage of the Charles Schwab Foundation Financial Access and Research (FAR) Lab, featuring state-of-the-art technology and Bloomberg terminals.
- Discover AI principles and skills with courses like Computer Applications and Information Technology and Problem-Solving and Actionable Analytics.
- Connect to the W. P. Carey business community — 130,000+ alums are leading the way worldwide and 650+ organizations partner with us to recruit talent.
Scientific Expertise
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (Biomedical Sciences), Data Science, Biochemistry, Biochemistry (Medicinal Chemistry), or Neuroscience
- Prepare for your career at the NSF HERD No. 6 ranking school in transdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and other sciences.
- Travel, meet industry leaders and tour leading life sciences organizations in biotech hubs across the U.S.
- Access The College’s Pre-Health Advising office and other resources that help more students get accepted to medical school and law school than any other college at ASU.
- Leverage Dreamscape Learn, an immersive virtual reality experience that allows you to see and interact with your lessons firsthand.
Application process
Step one: Apply to ASU and declare your primary major.
Make sure to select one of the identified degree options for the MLSBE Program. These include majors in biochemistry, biochemistry (medicinal chemistry), biological sciences (biomedical sciences), data science, finance and neuroscience.
Browse degree options
Review degrees in science and business that fulfill MLSBE Program requirements
Apply to ASU
Take your first step in becoming a participant in the next program cohort
Step two: Apply to the MLSBE Program.
Once you’ve completed your ASU application, you can apply to the MLSBE Program. Make sure to carefully review program and application requirements. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2025, for the fall 2026 semester.
Complete your application
Officially submit your interest in becoming a leader at the intersection of science and business
Get in touch
Talk to a program representative and get any application questions answered.
Step three: Keep an eye out for an interview invite and final application decision
Program finalists will be contacted by December to schedule a virtual interview. After interviews are complete, selected program participants will be notified by no later than March 1. In the meantime, make sure you’ve completed My ASU priority tasks and any other to-dos.
When I was a student at ASU, I saw firsthand how powerful it is to think beyond one discipline. This program exists to help students combine their passions in life sciences and business — and to accelerate the kind of breakthrough ideas that can improve lives around the world.
Mark McKenna, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Mirador Therapeutics Inc.
This program reflects the innovative spirit that drives everything we do at W. P. Carey. By partnering with The College, we’re blending the best of business and life sciences to equip students with the skills and mindset to lead breakthroughs in health care and beyond.
Ohad Kadan, Charles J. Robel Dean, Professor of Finance and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair, W. P. Carey School of Business
As a national leader in transdisciplinary research, The College helps more students get into medical and law schools than any other college at ASU. This program builds on that legacy by preparing students to shape the future of health care through both scientific discovery and entrepreneurial action.
Kenro Kusumi, Senior Vice Provost and Dean of The College of Liberal Arts and Science
Connect with us
Complete the form below to receive more information about how this program can help propel your career.