Curriculum

There are moments that pull everything we’ve learned into focus. When theory, practice, experience, and talent all come to one sharp point — a decision that shapes a definitive path.

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.

Harvard Business School’s MBA curriculum includes a range of exciting courses and is frequently refreshed with new content. The goal is to give students a firm grasp of broad-based fundamentals. The School’s inductive learning model goes beyond facts and theories—a process that teaches individuals not only how to manage organizations, but also how to continually grow and learn throughout life.

Required Curriculum (First Year)

During the first year at Harvard Business School (HBS), all students pursue the same course of study: the Required Curriculum and FIELD. By studying under a common curriculum, students build a solid, broad foundation of general management concepts and skills across all the key disciplines.

Fall Term

Spring Term

The Summer Work Experience

Students fulfill the requirement through successful completion of a summer work experience—either with an established organization or by launching an entrepreneurial venture, and in either a paid or an unpaid position. Any student facing personal circumstances that do not allow for an internship could apply for a waiver.

Elective Curriculum (Second Year)

The Elective Curriculum (EC) follows the RC's breadth of experience with an opportunity for depth, breadth, or both: students choose from among over 100 courses in ten subject areas as well as field-based learning opportunities—including immersion experiences—to gain a more concentrated expertise in the industries, functions, and ideas that interest them most. Additionally, cross registration enables students to take classes at other select graduate programs during their EC year.

Students may take any combination of courses—up to five courses per semester—and also have the opportunity to cross-register for courses in other select graduate programs.

Course Descriptions

Learning Methods

Video duration:9:59

Take a Seat in the MBA Classroom. Have you ever wondered what it was like to experience Harvard Business School’s Case Method teaching style? Watch the Harvard MBA Case Method classroom brought to life by Professor Tsedal Neeley and a section of current students and see for yourself what it’s like to be cold called, participate in lively debates, and how this teaching style leads to emotional intelligence and lifelong application.

Video duration:6:33

The Field Method. As a complement to the case-study method that has encouraged students to think like leaders, Field Immersion Experiences for Leadership Development (FIELD) gives students opportunities to translate their ideas into practice.

Cross-Registration

Harvard University graduate schools, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Business, and the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy permit HBS students to cross-register with their graduate programs. HBS students use cross-registration to take advantage of options like enrolling in David Gergen's popular course at the Harvard Kennedy School, participating in the Entrepreneurship Lab at MIT, or taking a language class at Harvard College.