Academic Experience

MBA students in discussion in the classroom
MBA students raising hands in classroom during a case discussion
Harvard Business School faculty lead case discussions with passion to lead students in voicing their opinion of the best course of action.

Academic Experience

Through the rich case- and experience-based curriculum at Harvard Business School (HBS), students build deep general management and leadership skills, setting the foundation for lifelong impact.

Students graduate from HBS not only with increased knowledge but, more importantly, with grounding and practice in how to make difficult decisions and what it means to assume leadership in a global environment.

  • Curriculum

    At HBS, real-world leadership challenges guide your learning. Our two-year MBA Program will help you learn how to think expansively, act decisively, and inspire those around you to achieve great things.

  • The Case Method

    The case method brings leadership to life. Students step into the shoes of case protagonists, real business leaders, and learn to make tough decisions as they are challenged by the diverse perspectives of classmates.

  • The Field Method

    Students apply what they have learned through classroom discussions in experiential field programs and independent studies to practice what it means to become a leader who makes a difference in the world.

  • A Global Experience

    From your peers and case discussions, to the HBS alumni network, global research centers, and field-based course offerings, the HBS experience is inherently international.

Joint Degrees

Designed in collaboration with other Harvard schools to prepare you for complex leadership challenges that balance expertise with effective management skills.

Joint Degree Programs

The Section Experience

Sections of 90 students take their first-year classes together, sharing case discussions, experiences, and a classroom.

Students quickly discover that the section experience gets them fully engaged during their first year at HBS and beyond, helping to forge lasting friendships and invaluable contacts for life.

Faculty & Research

Harvard Business School professors care deeply about teaching and interacting with students. Under skillful faculty direction, classrooms become crucibles for leadership: students test their judgment, explore complex ideas, reflect on their leadership styles, and embrace new models and methods for effective business management.

Under skillful faculty direction, classrooms become crucibles for leadership: students test their judgment, explore complex ideas, reflect on their leadership styles, and embrace new models and methods for effective business management.

Initiatives

Initiatives are research-fueled “communities of engagement” where faculty, students, and alumni connect with practitioners in the field to develop insights that drive impact. They provide powerful platforms to address complex, multi-dimensional topics that demand a new managerial mindset.

MBA students discuss their plans for a new entrepreneurial venture.