Harvard Business School MBA

Intro

Harvard Business School (HBS) prides itself on inviting students into learning. Their case study method and section-based course structure engages students from the start and prepares them for real world challenges. The curriculum is geared towards general management practices.

Learning Style

Upon arrival at HBS, students are assigned to a section, a group of ninety students with whom they will complete the Required Curriculum. Section mates take their first-year classes together, sharing cases, classroom facilities, and their own faculty teams. The section engages students and helps them to forge lasting friendships. It's one of the formative and defining experiences offered at HBS.

HBS faculty prepare for classes by conducting individual case review, writing notes and lessons plans, and collaborative analysis among colleagues. Teaching takes priority over every other obligation including research, writing, and administrative duties.

Students are also assigned to a six-person Learning Team, composed of students from different sections. These teams collaborate on graded projects in first-year courses. Learning Teams serve as grounds for sharing ideas, raising questions, and introducing issues inspired by the cases. Regular discussions help students deepen analyses, improve communication, and enhance teamwork.

HBS pioneered the case study method and continues to use it. Case studies engage students in business conflicts developed from real events. The method immerses students in the challenges that require analyses with limited information within complex circumstances. Students are expected to argue for a decisive course of action that must also be defended.

More than 50 percent of students participate in field-based learning. A team of three or more students work closely with a sponsoring organization and a faculty advisor. Projects may involve a product launch, new business development, or research. Recent projects include Disneyland, Cybersmith, BMW, Nike, Children's Hospital Boston, African Communications Group, and the New England Conservatory of Music.

Electives

During the second year, students choose from a range of electives building on basic concepts developed the first year. This portion of the program enables students to integrate the functional skills learned in the first year into an understanding of the firm as a total enterprise. Students may take up to five courses per semester—and also have the opportunity to register for courses in other graduate programs.

International Perspective

HBS offers students an international Immersion Experience, which combines the case method of teaching with field study projects in a country of interest. It's available to students during their January break.

There are also 80 international alumni clubs in 30 countries. Alumni can also gather each year for the HBS Global Leadership Forum, during which fellow business leaders and special guests focus on timely business issues. Global Research Centers are located in 6 regions to support research. Career Treks allow students networking opportunities with executives at international locales.

• Address: Soldiers Field Boston, Massachusetts, 02163
• Phone: +1-617-495-6000
• Email: admissions@hbs.edu
• Website: www.hbs.edu/mba