Ask These Questions About How MBA Programs Are Taught
MBA applicants often compare the rankings of various business schools before they decide which they want to target. But experts say these same applicants often forget to consider another critical factor: which schools' teaching methods are the best fit for their learning style and career goals.
Nearly all business schools teach at least some of their courses using the case method, which involves providing real-life examples of dilemmas that top business executives have faced, describing how they dealt with these problems and using hindsight to assess whether these executives made the correct choices.
Students in case method courses are required to read about each case before class, and then during class, they participate in group discussions about the key takeaways of each case and how they can apply these lessons.
The goal of the case method, proponents say, is to teach MBA students two key skills: how to develop compelling solutions to major business problems and how to sell those ideas with eloquent arguments.
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Experts say MBA programs vary widely in how much of the curriculum and which types of courses faculty teach using the case method. While the majority of courses at some schools use the case method, a t others lecture courses are just as common , experts say.
"MBA applicants should ask a few questions with regards to academic programs and teaching styles at business schools," Ryan Barba, general manager of admissions consulting at the Ready4 consulting firm in Boston, said via email.
"Certainly, the balance of case study vs. non-case study is an obvious first question ," he said. "But also, how much work is typically done independently vs. in group settings? How common are group projects, in other words?"
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Experts say it's smart for applicants to ask whether the school offers project-based courses, where students hone their business skills by helping actual businesses solve significant business problems.
Here are five additional questions experts advise MBA applicants to ask of themselves and institutions before choosing a business school.
1. What is my learning style? Applicants should c onsider whether they enjoy class discussions or learning through observation.
Experts say outgoing students often thrive in case method courses and may be easily bored by lecture courses where they don't have the option to participate. On the flip side, experts say introverted students may dislike the pressure to talk in case method courses.
2. What skills do I need to achieve my career goals? Future career goals can help applicants hone in on the type of courses and skills they need to acquire.
Because many MBA applicants hope to use business school as a way to change careers, it's key for them to find an MBA program with courses that will help fill whatever skill gaps they have on their resumes, says Scott Rostan, founder, CEO and principal of Training The Street Inc., a company that provides technical job training to recent MBA grads.
U.S. corporations, for instance, highly value the salesmanship skills and psychological insight cultivated through case method courses, and they tend to prize soft skills more than companies outside the U.S. , says Karthik Kannan, a professor of management and academic director for MBA programs at Purdue University's Krannert School of Management. MBA applicants who hope to become executives for U.S. companies should keep this in mind when considering b-schools, Kannan add s.
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3. How do introductory courses compare with advanced courses? MBA applicants should also consider the class variety, experts say. "For early classes, straight lecture may be the best way to get students up to speed," David Schein, director of graduate programs and an associate professor at the University of St. Thomas--Houston's Cameron School of Business, said via email.
But he noted, "For more advanced classes, having the opportunity to work on real world cases and work in teams on projects provides a more in-depth learning experience."
4. Does the business school teach data analytics? Kannan says the big data revolution is rapidly transforming most industries, so he advises prospective MBA students to ask how business schools teach data analytics courses and whether these courses go beyond the basics. He adds that every MBA student should learn how to quickly analyze large amounts of data, ideally through consulting projects for real companies.
5. What courses are unique to each business school you are considering? When comparing business schools, Kannan suggests applicants determine which courses each school offers that its peers do not. He notes that courses that are unique to particular schools can help prospective students determine which school is the best fit.
Lyneir Richardson, a professor of entrepreneurship at Rutgers Business School and executive director of the Rutgers University Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, says an MBA program with faculty who have real-world business experience is ideal.
"Professors who have battle scars and war wounds bring color commentary to the reading and assignments and are invaluable to students," he says.
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Ilana Kowarski is an education reporter at U.S. News, covering graduate schools. You can reach her via email at ikowarski@usnews.com.
