If you’ve given serious thought to attending business school, you’ve probably considered time, money, how it will change your life, and maybe the
MBA course list. Between the GMAT test, applications, and applying for student loans, the academic rigors and specifics of an MBA probably aren’t at the top of your list. But consider the core curriculum at business school and how it might impact your studies. If you envision two years full of coursework focusing on your desired path, you might want to think again. Every reputable graduate program comes with a requisite list of required classes, one that is intended to help every student build a solid foundation of business knowledge.
The first thing to consider in choosing the ideal program for you is what your program of choice’s
MBA course list contains. While you can be sure that the basics of accounting, finance, and marketing will be included, there may be some hidden gems awaiting your discovery. Sure, courses like statistics will prepare you for the world of finance and economics and the more classes you take in those quantitative fields, the better prepared you’ll be to tackle complicated analyses and participate in classroom discussions. However, some MBA courses require work in entrepreneurship, leadership, and management. These are great ways to expand your horizons and learn more about your personal strengths and opportunities. Some leadership classes even include developmental assessments like a 360 test and individualized coaching, both of which can help you build a better portfolio when it comes time to look for a job.
You might be asking what the point of a core curriculum is and what the benefit a required
MBA course list provides to you as a student. It might be difficult to determine what those perks are, at least when you’re being told what to take during your first and second semesters of enrollment. Consider this: because there aren’t always undergraduate prerequisites, MBA programs need to ensure that students understand basic math, statistics, economics, and business principles in order to succeed in the program. Beyond the program, graduates need to be prepared in the workplace. If that’s not enough to justify a business school core curriculum, it’s a great opportunity to get to know your classmates as you bond over assignments and case studies.
Even better, core curriculums continue to grow and change over time as schools assess what works and what doesn’t. Beyond the traditional academic focus, core classes can prepare students for the interview and job hunt, as well as the barrage of interviews that starts during winter break. The good news is that recruiters from top companies are driving those changes and they’re closely tied with MBA programs, ensuring that job opportunities are available for great candidates. Some programs even include “electives” that you can choose from: if you are required to take one finance course in your first year, you may be able to choose from three classes that have specialized tracks. This might help in the recruiting process, if you’re interested in a path such as investment banking.
Although taking a core curriculum might seem unappealing as you embark upon your MBA journey, but keep in mind that it will ultimately pay off. It will never cause harm that you’ve taken more classes outside of your focus interest. Understanding how the different elements of a business come together provide you with a “big picture” perspective that leaders often look for in candidates. As a plus, you might have a chance at winning some of those large-scale case competitions as an MBA student. The more you learn, the better prepared you are to pursue your career goals. And the journey will be well worth it.
