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, students build deep general management and leadership skills, setting the foundation for lifelong impact on how they lead.

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. Students then apply this learning in experiential field programs and independent studies to practice what it means to become a leader who makes a difference in the world.

Each of these learning platforms contribute to a truly global experience, from global cases and protagonists, to international classrooms and project-based experiences.

Students graduate from Harvard Business School (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

    Through case method classes, FIELD projects, multimedia simulations, and more, you’ll exercise the leadership skills you will practice in business and beyond.

  • The Case Method

    Have you ever worked with a group of people trying to solve a problem? There are different opinions, different considerations, and each person’s perspective provides a different angle on the problem. Ultimately, you must decide a course of action. There’s no right answer, but you have to confront the complexities of the choice you make.

  • The Field Method

    Students apply what they have learned through classroom case 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 our alumni network, Global Research Center footprint, and field-based course offerings, the HBS experience is inherently international.

Joint Degrees

Designed in collaboration with Harvard University graduate 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.

More on the Section Experience
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. HBS Initiatives cover a range of topics, from sectors of the economy to societal issues that businesses must address in an ever-changing global marketplace.

MBA students discuss their plans for a new entrepreneurial venture.