Harvard Business School offers a top-ranked MBA program.
In its 2010 survey, U.S. News & World Report ranked Harvard Business School No. 1. out of 426 MBA programs. This highly selective school typically admits 12 percent of applicants, for a class size of approximately 900 students. Students interested in pursuing a joint MBA program must apply separately to each school within the university and be accepted to each independently.
MBA
Harvard Business School is known for its use of the "case method," which was originally created by Harvard faculty. With this method of teaching, professors present the MBA students with challenges confronting leading companies and organizations. Students take on the role of decision makers, learning management concepts as they work through the challenges of a particular "case." All students are assigned to a group or "section" of approximately 90 students. Each section shares cases and takes classes together during the first year.
The two-year MBA program includes a required curriculum of 10 courses during the first year, followed by up to five elective courses per semester during the second year. Students are placed in "learning teams" where they collaborate with individuals from other sections.
MBA/MPP and MBA/MPA-ID
Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government offer two joint degree programs, the MBA/Master of Public Policy and MBA/Master of Public Administration-International Development. Both three-year programs are structurally similar, but differ in the courses required and the elective options. Both programs include an exclusive joint degree seminar, business-government integrative course and capstone exercise.
The first year of study includes two semesters of courses at Harvard Kennedy School and a two-week immersion project that requires one week of group travel overseas. In the summer following the first year, students complete a policy-related or international development-related internship. During the second year, students take required courses at Harvard Business School followed by a business-related summer internship. The third year includes a combination of required and elective courses at both schools, as well as a capstone exercise.
JD/MBA
The four-year program offered by Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School includes the core curricula of both schools, as well as a variety of electives. In years one and two, students complete the typical first-year courses at Harvard Law School or Harvard Business School, in either order. The third and fourth years include electives at both schools. To graduate from the joint program, students must complete 40 hours of public service.
MD/MBA
The five-year program in conjunction with Harvard Medical School encourages students to complete a medical residency or postgraduate clinical training. The program's first year includes required curriculum at Harvard Medical School, followed by a summer internship in business management. The second and third years include required medical courses followed by clinical experience during the summers. During the fourth year, students take required business courses along with clinical rotations, and during the final year, students can take electives at either school.
DMD/MBA
The five-year program with Harvard School of Dental Medicine enrolled its first students in 2009. Designed to create leaders who are skilled in dentistry and management, the MBA/Doctor of Dental Medicine program offers an integrated curriculum of fundamental management concepts as well as the core science disciplines of dentistry. Students take courses at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Business School and Harvard Medical School.
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