Year One, Fall
Begin the year with personal leadership activities, reflection, and small team projects.
HBS'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.
During the first year at 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.
Required Curriculum
- Data Science for Manager (DSM)
- Finance 1 (FIN1)
- Financial Reporting and Control (FRC)
- Leadership & Organizational Behavior (LEAD)
- Marketing (MKT)
- Technology & Operations Management (TOM)
CLOSE
Year One, Spring
PRACTICE TEAMWORK AND DEEPEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DIVERSITY AS YOU PREPARE FOR A GLOBAL IMMERSION.
The Required Curriculum forms the first year of study and establishes a common foundation in the fundamental practices of business including finance, marketing, leadership, negotiation, operations, strategy, and more. All students participate in the same set of classes within their section of 90 colleagues, including FIELD, which complements case-method learning with smaller hands-on team projects, personal reflection, and immersions. In addition to acquiring specific analytical and quantitative skills, students become acclimated to MBA Program standards of communication and collaboration, and develop strong, lasting relationships with one another.
Required Curriculum
- Business, Government, and the International Economy (BGIE)
- Strategy (STRAT)
- The Entrepreneurial Manager (TEM)
- Finance 2 (FIN2)
- Leadership and Corporate Accountability (LCA)
- FIELD Global Immersion
- Social Purpose of the Firm (SPF)
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.
Year Two, Fall
Choose from an unparalleled range of elective courses to build on the concepts developed in the Required Curriculum.
During the second year, students choose from an unparalleled range of elective courses to build on the basic concepts developed in the Required Curriculum. 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 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.
Elective Curriculum
Consult the online listing of Elective Curriculum MBA courses for faculty biographies, unit overviews, and detailed course descriptions.
Cross-Registration
Opportunities for students to take classes at other select graduate programs during their second year.
Year 2, Spring
Integrate the functional skills you've learned into an understanding of the firm as a total enterprise.
During the winter term, choose from an array of courses spanning topics from corporate board leadership to reimagining capitalism and authentic leadership development to managing global health. You also have the opportunity to participate in Immersive Field Course (IFC).
Elective Curriculum
Consult the online listing of Elective Curriculum MBA courses for faculty biographies, unit overviews, and detailed course descriptions.
Cross-Registration
Opportunities for students to take classes at other select graduate programs during their second year.