Students preparing to attend an MBA program often wonder what MBA classes they will be required to take and what these classes will entail. The answer will of course vary depending on the school you attend, as well as your specialization, but, there are a few specific things you can expect to get out of the MBA classroom experience.
A General Business Education
The MBA classes you will be required to take during your first year of study, or the first part of your MBA, will most likely focus on major business disciplines. The MBA core curriculum offered at most business schools includes combinations and variations of the following courses: Accounting, Business Strategy, Economics, Finance, Human Resources, Organizational Behavior, Marketing, Manufacturing and Production, Operations Management, Statistics and Technology and Information Systems.
While most business schools consider core classes mandatory in the first year of MBA study, or first part of your MBA, other schools are more flexible, and let you have an opportunity to choose elective courses during your first year of business school. Choosing electives that will support your specialization or major is almost always a good idea. Also, make sure that you will be able to schedule core classes in your second year.
A Chance to Participate in Class
No matter which school you choose to attend, you will be encouraged and expected to participate in MBA classes. In some cases, a professor will single you out so that you may share your opinions and assessments (Call Calling). In other cases, you will be asked to participate in classroom discussions, and others you will have to work with your designated group for project assignments.
Hands-On Experience
Most MBA classes provide an opportunity to obtain real hands-on experience through the analysis of case studies and real or hypothetical business scenarios. Students are encouraged to apply the knowledge they have acquired in real life and through other MBA classes to the current issue at hand. Above all, everyone on the class learns what it is like to work in a team-oriented environment. Business Case Studies, CasePlace.org, The Times 100 Case Studies, Schroeder Inc, and Usability Case Crawler are some site that can give you some free Case Study material.
Your Second Year of Business School
There is a world of difference between the second year of business school and the first. To start with, the workload is quite a bit lighter. You also have the advantage of knowing what is expected of you, and how long it takes you to complete class assignments and other requirements.
Year Two Business School Coursework
You should have completed most of the core curriculum during the first year of business school. Whatever has not been completed will need to be taken care of by the end of year two. Second year business school students who have mastered the broad-base core curriculum will focus on taking elective classes in their area of specialization.
Other Year Two Activities
Most of the anxiety felt in the second year of business school directly results from the need to find a job. If you chose your business school carefully, you will have plenty of help. If not, it will be up to you to recruit an employer.
Social Life
There is a life outside the classroom, and depending which school you attend to, you might find that the outside classroom life is more intense that the inside one. Among the most classic activities, graduate students tend to continue their passion, so be it sports, IT, or their own specialization. You should investigate the clubs from each school you selected and find out what are the most important activities they are doing (oversees job hunting treks is becoming a standard nowadays).
Questions to ask yourself
- Does this course give me the experience I am looking for?
- Does the syllabus include topics that are relevant to my chosen career?
- What electives does the program offer and am I interested in them?
- Is the content of the course suited to my needs?
- Do I have the required aptitude to successfully finish the course?
- Does the program offer practical training and real life experiences as well?
Now if you really want to know what you can expect from an MBA program, why don't you visit an MBA classroom for a couple of hours, most of top MBA propose this free service for potential candidates.