Because each MBA program has its own spin on the business curriculum, it’s critical that prospective students understand what makes various programs unique. Depending on a student’s specific goals, preferred way of learning, and applicable constraints (like enrolling in a part-time versus full-time program), choosing the right program—with the right learning model—can make a big difference.

The core of MBA curriculums

A school’s “curriculum” typically refers to its educational process or the subjects taught in a given program. For MBA programs, curriculums vary from school to school and program to program, but they generally feature some core areas or classes, which tend to cover most of the same ground regardless of the MBA format, including:

• Finance
• Marketing
• Organizational leadership
• Data/business analytics
• Statistics/microeconomics

“If you are an MBA student, you take all of your core courses—whether you’re part-time or full-time—those are going to be the same: It’s going to be classes like accounting, management, and marketing,” Mia Hawlk, executive director at the University of Connecticut, previously told Fortune. 

Many top business schools are accredited by the Association to Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which has strict curricula standards for programs, including a requirement that it includes “relevant competencies that prepare graduates for business careers and foster a lifelong learning mindset.”

Core curriculum at Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School, the No. 1 MBA program, requires students to take:

Term 1:

• Data Science for Managers (DSM)
• Finance 1
• Financial Reporting and Control (FRC)
• Leadership and Organizational Behavior (LEAD)
• Marketing
• Technology and Operations Management (TOM)

Term 2:

• Business, Government, and the International Economy (BGIE)
• Strategy
• The Entrepreneurial Manager (TEM)
• Finance II
• Leadership and Corporate Accountability (LCA)
• FIELD Global Immersion (FGI)
• Social Purpose of the Firm (SPF)

Core curriculum at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the No. 2 best MBA program, requires all students to participate in a foundational introductory program, but then provides a lot of flexibility. Students must take one course from three foundational areas: financial accounting, microeconomics, and statistics. Then, one course must be taken from seven out of these eight categories: finance, marketing, operations, strategy, decisions, people, economy, and society. 

Core curriculum at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, the No. 3 MBA program, requires students to take:

• Financial Accounting
• Business Strategy
• Finance I
• Marketing Management
• Business Analytics I
• Business Analytics II
• Microeconomic Analysis
• Operations Management
• Leadership in Organizations
• Leadership and Crisis Management

Core curriculum at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, the No. 4 MBA program, requires students to take:

• Leadership: Foundations of Teamwork and Leadership
• Marketing: Marketing Management
• Microeconomics: Microeconomics for Managers
• Microeconomics: Advanced Microeconomics for Managers
• Statistics: Regression Analysis for Managers
• Management Communication: Speaking and Writing

The magic happens, so to speak, outside that core curriculum, where students have some leeway in their studies. Students do have the option to take a certain number of electives or narrow their studies to a concentration area, like entrepreneurship, human resources, healthcare, and accounting—just to name a few. While some business schools may just have a few common concentration or specialization options, others have many options. For example, at the University of Texas–Austin (McCombs), full-time students can choose from 23 concentrations such as real estate finance, social enterprise, and information management. 

And if there are subjects that interest you—but options are slim—some schools may work with you to provide a customized MBA experience.

Overall, when comparing programs, check out what class options will be available to you—and your format. While most full-time programs do have many concentrations, the options for part-time, online, or executive MBA students may be different. 

Learning models

Aside from the classes and subjects covered in MBA programs, there’s another element at play: learning models. While some students might classify themselves as “visual” learners, others absorb information more effectively in alternative ways. That’s all to say that different programs (and classes within those programs) may offer different methods of study.

At some schools, the curriculum may prove to be lecture-heavy, whereas at other schools, the programs may take a more hands-on approach in an attempt to get some real-world experience under their students’ belts. 

Harvard Business School’s case method is widely known for its success. Students are assigned a complex problem to analyze—and ultimately must work together through a set of diverse options, considerations, and perspectives to make the best decision. 

There are also the “extras” that can sweeten the pot for prospective students. Some schools have students participate in an in-semester internship to gain hands-on experience. Others bring in guest lectures with real-world experience.

Many schools also integrate an international component to their program to highlight how globally connected the business world is—and how to best interact through language barriers or cultural differences.  

The takeaway: explore what classes are best for you

Any MBA program in which one student flourishes could, ultimately, suffocate another, depending on the learning model and other factors.

So for students, it’s important to do some digging and look not only at a program’s costs, its roster of notable alumni, and time commitments, but also at how you would be spending your time in the program—be it sitting in lectures or in a far-flung country, learning to apply your skills on the fly.

While when applying to an MBA program, picking out your classes may seem like a far-away endeavor looking at the course options and the teaching philosophy is certainly something you should consider sooner rather than later. 

Plus, having an idea of the coursework will only help during the application process itself—as it will not only show the admissions team that you did your homework, but it also will enable you to reason why your career goals would connect well with the curriculum options. If you aren’t sure, explore potentially auditing a course or ask to read the syllabus.

And finally, when it comes down to it, the experts say it’s critical for students to assess their professional and personal goals, consider their preferred learning styles, and think about what they’ll need to get out of a program in order to choose the right one.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an MBA curriculum consist of?

MBA curriculum typically consists of a core set of classes in areas like finance, marketing, leadership, and strategy. Students then have the option of picking from a selection of coursework in more niche areas of focus like entrepreneurship, healthcare, or accounting.

What is the hardest class in an MBA?

The hardest class in an MBA program will depend on your strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you are not so good at mathematics, then graduate-level statistics, accounting, or data analysis courses will certainly not be easy.

How many courses are in an MBA?

While each school is different, MBA students should expect to take around 15 different courses—but they may vary in size, commitment, and format. For example, an internship or other experiential learning opportunity can toward college credit.