Theme or Intent: The program features innovative, globally oriented curricula. An MBA education from BC provides an unsurpassed understanding of the modern business enterprise and its global context. Students receive instruction in the essential analytical skills and managerial techniques necessary to lead in this environment. The curriculum is divided into core courses that convey the management fundamentals, Management Practice courses that provide leading edge managerial skills and electives that allow students to individualize their MBA education. Not only what but also how students learn is important. Students have unparalleled opportunities to apply what they have learned in the real world of business, through consulting, business planning and global study projects.

Program Structure: The program is a combination of classroom and real-world learning. A core curriculum teaches the managerial and analytical skills essential for success in today's global business environment. The core is taken concurrently with the Management Practice (MP) sequence (see attachment). Incorporating case discussions, hands-on projects and innovative skill-building exercises, the sequence provides critical managerial skills and the opportunity to apply them. Speical emphasis is placed on the integration of the functional areas, such as finance, accounting and marketing. Also emphasized are management skills, including teamwork and communiction. Toward the end of the first year, students may choose two from among six "core electives" to prepare for summer internships and second-year concentrations. In year two, students take two final MP modules and 18 credits of electives. The electives allow students to focus on areas of particular interest such as consulting, finance, marketing, information technology or interdisciplinary studies. The second-year electives are taken in the evening.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Economics, Statistics, Marketing, Accounting, Operations Management, Modeling and Decision Analysis, Financial Management, Managing People and Organizations, Managing in the Global Environment. See attachment for course descriptions.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects: Consulting Projects. The consulting project and the Diane Weiss Consulting Competition associated with it, remain a distinguishing feature of the program. First-year students are divided into teams that offer management advice to clients ranging from small businesses to major corporations, as well as nonprofits and governmental agencies. The projects may involve marketing, finance, strategy, human resources or accounting. Each team is responsible for imporving the client organization through professional analysis and recommendations.

Carnegie Mellon University, Graduate School of Industrial Administration BusinessWeek Ranking: 14

Theme or Intent: Innovation and the transfer of new knowledge are endemic to GSIA's culture. Throughout their fifty year history, GSIA has been the school that brings science to the study of business. In the 1960's we led in the evolution of computing, the study of information systems and the development of the Management Game. In specialized education in Electronic Commerce in partnership with Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science. We continue to lead by introducing new courses in manufacturing management, data mining, financial trading and new methods for operations research. GSIA provides its graduates with the education necessary for them to lead, manage and support all types of business ventures. We believe that fundamental advances in the role and capability of information, networks and intelligent devices will drive innovation and change business processes. Therefore, our education prepares graduates to be capable and comfortable with technology and its application to business processes. Some students take an entrepreneurial approach and others focus on business processes. Our rich mix of core and elective courses allows students to work with faculty to address all types of business models. We take pride in our ability to collaborate across disciplines to understand points of leverage and to develop innovative solutions to problems. It is our success in combining research and teaching to yield innovative approaches to problem solving that has made our graduates so valuable to employers. We support teams and teamwork from our core courses to our capstone Management Game.

Program Structure: Because most important business problems are solved by combining ideas from various disciplines, we emphasize interdisciplinary thinking. There are no departments or majors in the program, although there are breadth and depth requirements. Faculty members from various fields work together on projects, because it is our conviction that many of the important new ideas today come from the areas in which disciplines overlap. The program is primarily a two-year, full-time program, with most students completing an internship in the summer between the first and second year. An early graduation option is available, which allows full-time students to complete their studies in 16 months. Working professionals in the Pittsburgh area may also complete the degree in the evening, as members of the flex-time program. Our mini-semester system splits the typical semester in half, creating four mini-semesters per academic year. Each mini-semester is 7.5 weeks long, and students are typically taking 4 to 5 different courses each mini-semester. This enables students to gain exposure to a wide range of topics, as well as many unique courses, as they may take 35-40 different courses while students in the program.

System: mini-semesters - 7.5 weeks long

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Financial Accounting, Human Behavior in Organizations, Managerial Economics, Probability and Statistics I, Quantitative Methods for Management Science, Managerial Accounting, Probability and Statistics II, Decision Models, Finance, Marketing Management, Production/Operations Management, Written Management Communications, Oral Management Communications, Managerial Environment, The Management Game, Macroeconomics or Business, Government and Strategy. See attachment for course descriptions.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Columbia University, Columbia Business School BusinessWeek Ranking: 6

Theme or Intent: The School offers a global perspective on the practice and study of business management. It combinies an outstanding faculty, an esteemed research university and the individuals and organizations that make New York City an international center of finance and commerce. These resources, along with the School's and the University's multicultural community, prepare future business leaders to tackle difficult issues in a global economy. Close collaboration between the School and the business, financial and nonprofit sectors generates industry-specific research, seminars and conferences that address real-world needs and serves as a source for course material, adjunct faculty members, guest speakers and student internships. The School prepares its students to lead, build and manage enterprises that create value for stakeholders and constituencies. It instills in MBA candidates an awareness of ethical issues and a sensitivity to the effect decisions about ethics have on society and the environment. By encouraging independent thought, assessment and learning, the School provides its students with the tools for sucess in many career paths.

Program Structure: The core curriculum composes 50 percent of the degree requirements and is completed in the first 2 terms. The core emphasizes 4 main themes: globalization, total quality management, ethics and human resource management. Entering classes are divided into "clusters" of approximately 60 students who take core courses together. Thirteen areas of study are offered for concentrations with each having its own set of required courses and electives: Accounting, Business Economics, Construction Mangement, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management of Information, Communications and Media, Management of Organizations, Management Science, Marketing, Operations Management, Public and Nonprofit Management and Real Estate. Two tools are essential for completing the program: a knowledge of math and an ability to operate a personal computer and commonly used business software. Students are encouraged to evaluate their own analytic skills and if a review is needed, Math and Computer Camp is offered each term prior to classes. The Notebook Computer Requirement has 4 parts: the notebook hardware, software (including operating system and office suite), network components (including Ethernet adapter) and skills.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st 2 terms or 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Integrative Project, The Global Economic Environment, Managerial Economics, Accounting I, Managerial Statistics, Decision Models, Accounting II, Corporate Finance, Marketing, Strategy Formulation, Creating Effective Organizations, Leadership, Operations management. See attachment for course descriptions.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: Electives are offered by each department.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Cornell University, Johnson Graduate School of Management BusinessWeek Ranking: 8

Theme or Intent: At the school, students are prepared to rise within their organizations, increase their value in the marketplace, or even change functions or fields. Students learn smart ways to manage in today's radically unpredictable business environment - how to innovate, communicate, and respond in real time. How to move forward with control and confidence. But the school offers something more: an approach that's wise as well as smart. Equal value is placed on collaboration and competition. We see our students as partners rather than consumers. We measure leaders by how much they give. And we've built a stellar faculty committed to being here - with their doors open. What makes this approach wise? In addition to being at once demanding and humane, it works. Johnson School graduates report feeling inspired, supported, broadened, and equipped. They're also eager to share the benefits of their experience with future students.

Program Structure: The curriculum during the first year rests on two principles: a strong analytical foundation in functional areas and an unusual academic flexibility that enables students to tailor their programs. As much as 25 percent of the curriculum may be taken outside the school. The core curriculum provides the building blocks of management education, integrating the acquisition of knowledge in management disciplines with hands-on practice in business skills. While the core courses occupy much of the first year, they have been scheduled so that students may opt to take two or more electives in their field of interest by the end of their first year, gaining advanced training in areas of interest prior to their summer internship. There are no formal concentrations and the program accepts credit for language study. A strategy course requirement, expanded leadership-skills offerings, and the faculty's emphasis on teamwork ensure that students also acquire the integrative and interpersonal skills necessary for problem solving, decision making, and leadership.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: See attachment.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Dartmouth College, Tuck School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 10

Theme or Intent: The program is designed to move students forward in a successful career in general management. Its diverse student body and faculty ensure that students receive a broad global perspective in their two years on campus. Through the school's integrative course of study students develop and expand problem-solving and decision-making skills. The intelligence and breadth of experience fellow classmates bring to the classroom, projects, and study groups are critical to learning. This is especially true in courses that rely on the case method of teaching, which is integral to the curriculum. During a case discussion, the professor facilitates and guides the group's investigation of a real-life or hypothetical business situation requiring the application of theoretical concepts and specific analytical methods. Rather than relying on a single method, the faculty use a variety of teaching approaches, including lecture/discussion, case studies, team projects, simulation exercises, and independent studies.

Program Structure: The first year core curriculum focuses on analytical disciplines such as economics and quantitative analysis as well as functional areas such as finance, marketing, and operations. What is learned in one course, is reinforced and built on in others. For the 2nd year, students choose from an extensive list of elective courses and seminars on special topics in economics, finance, marketing, operations, or organizational management. Second-year students can also apply to spend one term studying at one of the MBA programs with which Tuck has exchange agreements and to join Tuck faculty on a spring break study tour to major Asian economies.

System: 1st year - 2 fall terms - each 7 weeks, a winter and spring term - both 9 weeks, 2nd year - 3 terms

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Capital Markets, Corporate Finance, Financial Accounting, Global Economic Environment, Managerial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Marketing Management, Operations Management, Organizational Behavior . See attachment for course descriptions.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects: The Forum develops general management knowledge and skills best taught using non-traditional methodologies and over a long period of time. There are three segments: a. coursework designed to integrate material taught in the core courses from the perspective of a general manager or entrepreneur, b. a major project involving the development of a business plan for a new enterprise or business, and c. a series of seminars and tutorials organized by industry or careers. Several integrative experiences highlight the first year - including Managerial Economics consulting projects, a competitive Marketing Strategy game, and the Tycoon Business Policy simulation. Teams of students serve as consultants for local, regional, and global businesses or organizations. They identify the problems, investigate options, and prepare recommendations. As part of the Marketing course, first year students also plan and implement a marketing strategy for a simulated multiproduct, multimarket consumer products firm. Teams choose which market segment to focus on and develop products for that market. They also determine distribution channels and product price, develop advertising campaigns, interpret marketing research results, and manage a sales force. As teams compete with other companies, they try to analyze what their competitors will do and how to react to the dynamics of the marketplace. In this multiperiod simulation, teams receive immediate market feedback. In the spring term, as part of the Business Policy course, teams of students compete against each other in purchasing and operating simulated companies. They implement a strategy by making a series of operating decisions. Teams that are not competing in the same industry serve as consultants to other teams. The four-day Tycoon simulation is a vibrant way to demonstrate the benefits of collaborative management styles. In the summer after the first year, most students spend several months working in an internship. After completing their work with their summer employers, they also have the chance to participate in the Field Study in International Business course. Students spend 3 weeks working on a consulting project for a major corporation in Asia or South America.

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 7

Theme or Intent: The school's approach is based on two ideas: 1. Technology has changed business forever, and, 2. The marketplace is now truly global, characterized by a level of competition and a pace of change in which true innovation is the only means to sustainable competitive advantage. This calls for new ways of thinking, new models of education, a changing set of skills and a new breed of employee who must contribute as part of a diverse, international culture. The goal of the program is to help students excel in the complexities of global business today. The approach is a holistic one, not just creating specialists in finance, management, marketing or some other discipline. Students move beyond narrow classifications. They are enabled to become the best global managers with superior technical, interpersonal and quantitative skills. The program is kept at the forefront of business education by keeping up with change and innovation. Up-to-the-minute knowledge is combined with relevant, real-world experience. A tradition of innovation defines the program. In place of traditional, rigid tenants, the new MBA model has been designed to help individuals develop the ability to anticipate, drive and capitalize on change.

Program Structure: The program spans two academic years with at least 85 credit hours. Two Integrative Learning Experiences extend and enrich the classroom. Preparation for the world of business is augmented by an international business requirement, which can be met through electives. Electives change in response to the needs and interests of students and the business community. Courses are taught in 2 1/2 hour classes that meet twice weekly during 7-week terms, allowing students to take more classes (3 or 4 per term) with the same number of faculty contact hours as semester or quarter systems. Extended class periods allow faculty to cover complex topics during a single-class session, permit participation by executives, and provide ample time for simulations, case presentations, questions and discussion. During the first year, students take the core curriculum which gives a foundation in economics, quantitative analysis and statistics, accounting, finance, organizational behavior, marketing and operations management. A series of management communications courses integrated into the core curriculum help develop communication, computing and career-planning skills. In the final term of year one, students start taking electives. The first-year class is divided into sections which contain study and project groups, and case teams. In the second year, students take a full load of electives. A formal concentration is not required. The curriculum helps students develop expertise in functional skills and analytical thinking.

The program offers two Integrative Learning Experiences (ILEs). These experiential courses take students outside the traditional classroom setting to address critical issues and develop skills for business management. These week-long mini-courses accomplish several interrelated objectives in a highly focused format. After the introductory ILE lays the foundation for the program, the 2nd ILE builds on concepts and skills taught in the first year. The ILEs play an important role in the total experience. ILE 1 - Team Building and Leadership Development begins with a week of exploration and challenge. This first ILE provides a range of personal development opportunities in teamwork and leadership. ILE 2 - Competitive Business Strategy gives students an opportunity to experience the challenges of formulating and implementing strategy for a global business operating in a competitive environment. ILE 2 is built around computer-based business simulation that integrates knowledge from all the 1st-year core courses.

System: 7-week terms

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Fall Semester

Core Courses Listed: Term I, Managerial Effectiveness, Managerial Economics, Probability and Statistics, Computer Skills, Term II, Marketing Management, Global Financial management, Financial Accounting, Informing and Influencing Business Audiences, Term III, Operations Management, Decision Models, Managerial Accounting, Effective Advocacy, Term IV, Global Economic Environment of the Firm, Professional Project Communication. See attachment for course descriptions.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Harvard University, Harvard Business School BusinessWeek Ranking: 5

Theme or Intent: The school's hallmark - the case study method - fuses analysis and action. The goal is to help students learn how to tacle difficult, complex problems by probing, discussing, integrating, and working together. Students learn what it feels like to exercise judgment, make decisions, and take responsibility. They must sharpen their skills of effective communication and be able to persuade, synthesize, and adapt. In pursuit of its educational mission, the school is actively involved in a number of key initiatives that are intertwined with the curriculum. Global Initiative - International research and case studies, courses on global research; speakers, social events and recruiting programs with a global focus. Entrepreneurship - students interested in entrepreneurship are supported by programs created to hone and foster their skills. Innovative Technology and Electronic Learning - A community-wide Information Technology infrastructure is inspiring Internet-based learning opportunities. Responsibilities of Leadership - Developing students' understanding of what their role in business entails creating effective, ethical solutions which are economically attractive as well. Social Enterprise - students learn how they can contribute their skills to non-profit organizations. California Research Center - High-tech case study development in Silicon Valley.

Program Structure:

Following are the methods and standards students learn by in the program as well as information on the opportunities they have to gain valuable experience in the work place. Class Structure and Team-Based Learning - each entering class is organized into sections and teams. Case Method - The primary learning model, which is based on interactive engagement between students and faculty and first-hand accounts of actual management situations. Standards and Evaluation - The HBS Community Standards, the evaluation process for students. Field based Learning - How students gain real-world experience during the program.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Terms I and II

Core Courses Listed: Foundations (see below), Financial Reporting and Control, Leadership and Organizational Behavior (LEAD), Marketing, Technology and Operations Management, Required Curriculum for Term II, Business Government and the International Economy, Competition and Strategy, Finance, The Entrepreneurial Manager, Negotiation. See attachment for course descriptions.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Indiana University, Kelly School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 21

Theme or Intent: Management policy and procedure are subject to change over time. For this reason, the program's emphasis is on sound general principles and decision-making techniques that provide a base for continued learning rather than on business procedures that are subject to obsolescence. Three goals dictate the design of the program and its curriculum: 1. Preparing graduates for leadership positions in management 2. Training students to focus on decision making and implementation in business, and 3. Fostering a lifelong intellectual curiosity and professional integrity. To attain these goals, the faculty believes that students must learn to do the following: 1. Develop and apply analytical concepts and tools. 2. Understand basic business functions (their evaluation criteria and their interrelationships). 3. Identify problems, make decisions, and communicate within organizational constraints. 4. Work effectively in cross-functional teams. 5. Formulate corporate strategy and policy. 6. Strengthen personal standards, perceptions, motivation, and interest in continued self-development. 7. Develop entrepreneurial potential. 8. Prepare psychologically for positions of responsibility. 9. Understand the impact of managerial policies on society. 10. Develop anethical philosophy to guide decision making.

Program Structure: The program asserts that students must master basic business disciplines and have a thorough grounding in the functional areas of management operations before turning to a specialization. Students devote the first year to the basic disciplines relevant to management and the functional areas of business operations. In the second year, they tailor their own program to satisfy their particular objectives. Course sequencing eliminates gaps in students' backgrounds and ensures that all students have been exposed to the same level of basic disciplines and functional areas. First Year Course Sequencing. The basic disciplines of the Foundations Core are presented during the first semester; quantitative methods, microeconomics, organizational behavior, human resource management, and accounting. Interdisciplinary topics enhance the professional development of the student; they are presented during the first semester as well. The Functional Core is taken in the second semester and focuses on accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and information systems. Students learn about the place of functional goals in the achievement of overall enterprise objectives. Second-Year Course Sequencing. Students take two required courses which further integrate the basic disciplines and functional areas. The remaining part of the second year is devoted to a major specialization based on the student's career objectives.

Focus Academies. MBA Focus Academies permit students to customize and personalize their program while building real-world linkages. Academies permit students to pursue a career-related specialization beyond the normal major and minor. Admission to the academies is by application during the firs tyear of the program. As of 1998, academies are operating in: Consulting/Management Services, Entrepreneurship, Internet and New Media, Investment Banking, Investment Management, Retailing, and Sports and Entertainment.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Core Courses: see attachment.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Theme or Intent: The objective of the school is to prepare young men and women of character and intellectual ability for positions in business, government, and other complex organizations. Upon graduation, their educational preparation is such that, with experience and growth, they should progress to positons of increasing administrative or executive responsibility.

Program Structure: The two-year program complements and enhance the skills of college graduates with liberal arts, engineering, and science degrees, as well as those who have earned a business degree in another country's culture or economic system. The first semester focuses on the foundation business tools. The focus in the second semester is on the functional areas of business and integration of these areas. For students with no full-time work experience, the summer betwen the first and second year offers an opportunity to gain some practical experience and apply what has been learned. Options include conducting a research project for an organization while earning academic credit or working as an intern. For students who have met the minimum work requirement, the summer work experience is not required, but could be used for options such as study-abroad programs or internships. The second year curriculum focuses on professional development with 12 hours from a menu of seven courses in the business core and 12 hours from an area of concentration. Courses improve managerial skills in communication, negotiation, and problem-solving teams, as well as knowledge of the behavioral and legal environment of business. The first year courses presume knowledge of calculus, statistics, micro and macroeconomics, and computer spreadsheet proficiency. Spreadsheet proficiency may be gained through formal course work, on-the-job training, or self-tutoring. All other prerequisites require a bacis formal course before admission or the sprint module in the summer before the first year. Work experience is an important foundation, especially the accelerated program. Summer internships between 1st and 2nd years can meet this requirement.

The accelerated curriculum is designed for applicants who have recently completed the core requirements from an undergraduate business degree. This program builds on prior coursework with breadth in the advanced core courses and depth in the menu courses as well as in the major area.

System: semester

Core Courses are Taken: most during 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Accounting and Management Decision Making, Managerial Accounting, Statistical Methods for Managerial Decision Making, Managerial Finance, Presentation Skills in Business, Organizational Behavior and Theory, Problem Solving Team, Production/Operations Management Foundations, Organizational Behavior and theory, Management Information Systems, Microeconomic Analysis, Second Year:, Business and its Legal Environment, Negotiations, Strategic Management, 3-9 hours from the following:, Financial Accounting and Decision Making, Quantitative Methods for Managerial Decision Making, Macroeconomic/International Environment for Business, Analysis of Business Finance and Investments, Human Resource Management. See attachment for course descriptions.

Titles for groups of electives: Studies in Operations Planning and Scheduling

Electives: Business Marketing Conceptual Foundations

3-6 hours from MBA Concentration List - see attached.

Electives are chosen from a menu of 7 courses in the business core and 12 hours selected in an area of concentration.

Required Simulations or Projects:

MIT, Sloan School BusinessWeek Ranking: 15

Theme or Intent: Six areas characterize the program: 1. Focus on innovation in management. As new technologies, globalization, and entrepreneurial opportunities remake the economic landscape, managers must be able to anticipate, develop, and implement new business models and methods. 2. School is international with students from over 60 countries around the world and from virtually all over the U.S. 3. Entrepreneurial spirit and activities pervade the school - in the classroom, in partnerships with students and/or faculty, and in a set of formal activities, such as the 50K Competition. 4. A unique curriculum has been created- the management tracks. They provide students choosing careers in these fields in-depth education. 5. The school is a supportive and friendly place. Teamwork is stressed as is learning from one another. 6. Finally, students do exceptionally well in the marketplace with 3 offers each this past year and an average starting salary with bonus of $120,000.

Program Structure: Management Tracks. Interdisciplinary management tracks are a new concept in management education. Based upon faculty and student coalitions, with participation from both disciplinary and functional areas, management tracks differ from traditional majors and areas of concentrations by their depth and breadth and by their explicit relationship to career opportunities. Current management tacks include: Electronic Commerce and Marketing, Financial Engineering, Financial Management, Information Technology and Business Transformation, New Product and Venture Development, Operations and Manufacturing, Self-Managed Track, Strategic Management and Consulting, and Leaders for Manufacturing Program. Management tracks consist of three elements: the curriculum, the ProSeminar, and co-curricular activities. The curriculum consists of 8-10 subjects (about 1/2 the elective units needed to graduate). Students fulfill the requirements by choosing from a list of offerings in a variety of management functions and disciplines. Ina addition, students complete at least one ProSeminar, a class that brings practitioners into contact with students to work on field projects or to speak about current issues in the industry. Finally, the tracks are rounded out with co-curricular activities that are designed to provide professional development, networking, and practical experience opportunities. Each management track has a faculty director and a student steering committee that oversee the development and management of the ProSeminar, plan track activities, and update the curriculum.

The fall core consists of a commone experience spread across 6 subject areas, which is shared by small sections called cohorts, each containing about 50-60 students. Three of these subjects are known as perspectives subjects because they address managerial problems from thre basic paradigms: a market-centered or economic approach, a data-centered or modeling approach, and an organizational or behavioral approach. These perspectives on management are taught using both practical tools and theoretical rigor to help prepare students for further course work at Sloan as well as for their eventual career choice. The subjects themselves are the result of diverse groups of faculty covering both disciplinary and applied or functional course material. The other foundations of the fall core include accounting, corporate strategy, and managerial communications. These subjects, together with the perspectives subjects, give students the breadth necessary to move into other areas of study at Sloan. All 6 subjects provide the basis of the shared experience that students carry throught he rest of teir time at Sloan and into their careers.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: fall term

Core Courses Listed: Economic Analysis for Business Decisions, Data, Models, and Decisions, Communication for Managers, Organizational Processes, Financial and Managerial Accounting, Strategic Management . See attachment for course descriptions.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: Listed within each Management Track.

Required Simulations or Projects:

New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 13

Theme or Intent: The school's intent is to deliver the highest quality management education to a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate students and practicing executives and to enhance knowledge on the frontiers of business and management issues, including ethical and social responsibilities in the conduct of business. Their goal is to exemplify the world standard in management education in a rapidly changing and globally competitive environment. See attachment - The Path to Excellence.

Program Structure: Our revised curriculum provides a broad-based spectrum of the functional areas of business with a diffusion of materials and coursework from across the traditional disciplines. Students learn how the knowledge and skills they obtain in each academic area are interrelated and build upon each other. Courses have been revised; an international perspective has been formally incorporated into the core program; the student's progression from the first two semesters to the last two semesters is more meaningful. The result? An exemplary education from an exemplary program. Our emphasis on active learning through internships, experiential exercises, real-world cases, guest speakers and hands-on field projects aid our students in building successful careers in many fields.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Business Strategy Analysis, Managing Organizations, Understanding Firms and Markets, Statistics & Data Analysis, Financial Accounting & Reporting, Corporate Strategy Analysis, Competitive Advantage from Operations and Information, Global Business Environment, Marketing: Delivering Value to Customers and Businesses, Foundations of Finance, Professional Responsibility,

Titles for groups of electives: Interarea Courses are those courses offered which can count towards any one departmental major as long as the students indicate which major through the MBA Academic Advising office. Swing Courses are those courses offered by one department but can be counted towards another departmental major if students choose to designate it as such throught he MBA Academic Advising office.

Electives: See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Northwestern University, Kellogg Graduate School of Management BusinessWeek Ranking: 2

Theme or Intent: The school is currently guided by 3 initiatives: globalization, entrepreneurship and technology management. It is leading all other schools in changing curriculum, programs and majors to keep its graduates and faculty on the cutting edge of innovation. Based on solid research, the school reconceived management education with its development of team-based, hands-on learning. The school fosters an atmosphere of openness to change, engaging in ongoing dialogue with faculty, students and companies to identify emerging strategic issues, as well as research needs. New ideas are quickly turned into new learning opportunities. Over the last four years the school has launched more than 50 new courses, several new majors, including E-commerce Management, Entrepreneurship, and Media Management. It also has launched several new programs in the Silicon Valley like Tech Ventures and the High-Tech Job Fair. With a team based "Culture" and a strategic vision of "Change" the faculty, students, alumni and the companies who hire them continue to lead the way in advanced management education.

Program Structure: All students have some prior work experience, with an average length of nearly five years. Experience is important because of the emphasis on teamwork. There are three full-time programs: the traditional Six-Quarter MBA program, the one-year Four-Quarter MBA program, and the Master of Management in Manufacturing (MMM) program. Students in the Six-Quarter (6Q) program attend classes for 3 quarters (fall, winter and spring) during two academic years. Students complete an internship during the summer following the first year. The Four-Quarter (4Q) program, which begins in June and finishes the next June, is designed for students who have strong management knowledge through education in business or a related field, and work experience. The MMM program, also a six-quarter, is a joint program with Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering.

Global Initiatives in Management (GIM) courses focus on business markets around the world. Students select a destination, choose an adviser, plan a 10-week curriculum and fieldwork project. The course culminates in a 2-week visit to that country. Learning through Experience and Action Program (LEAP) allows students to solve business problems faced by corporations and nonprofit organizations. Through consulting projects, students address areas such as cost management, customer focus and response, benchmarking and new product development. Being interdisciplanary, the projects provide an opportunity to work with a variety of professionals. LEAP is cross-listed among several departments. It is a capstone course targeting first year students in the spring quarter. Student leaders and faculty go through a project selection process and offer a list of cross-functional projects. By the 3rd week of class, teams come up with a proposal and timeline. Students make mid-term and final presentations. A final presentation is also made to the client. The Master of Management in Manufacturing Integration Project helps students develop a business plan to introduce a new product or reengineer an existing process. The course enables MMM students to synthesize their management and technology skills. In Management of Nonprofit Organizations projects, students work with local nonprofitswhere they examine the available theory on nonprofits and borrows tools from the private sector to develop a managerial model. General Management Perspective brings senior management to the students where they analyze case studies. Additional courses that incorporate field projects: Small Business Management, Manufacturing Practice, Research Methods in Marketing, and Organization Behavior.

System: quarters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

1st 3 quarters

Core Courses Listed: Six-Quarter Courses:, Accounting and Information Systems (Accounting for Decision Making), Decision Sciences (Mathematical Methods for Management Decisions), Management Strategy (Management of Organizations), Management and Organizations, Managerial Economics (Microeconomic Analysis), Decision Sciences (Statistical Methods for Management Decisions), Marketing I, Finance I, Operations Management, Four-Quarter Courses:, Management and Strategy (Strategy and Organization), FinanceI/II or Marketing (Research Methods in Marketing), Decision Sciences (Quantitative Models for Management Linear Programming), Operations Management (Management of Processing Systems)

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: Beyond the core courses, the curriculum is flexible and broad. Students develop an individualized course of study. There are 6 academic departments: Accounting, Finance, Management and Strategy, Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences, Marketing and Management and Organizations. Within this departmental framework are specialized professional programs: Health Services Management, Public-Nonprofit Management, Transportation and Logistics Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Real Estate. In addition, there are majors in interdisciplinary areas such as International Business, Technology and E-Commerce, Media Management and Human Resources Management. Students typically major in several areas; often their majors are a combination of academic fields, professional programs, and interdisciplinary majors. More than 95 percent complete at least 2 majors.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Purdue University, Krannert Graduate School of Management BusinessWeek Ranking: 24

Theme or Intent: The school will educate tomorrow's business leaders, increase the body of knowledge in the various areas of management, and provide outreach activities to the various stakeholders of the school. Reflecting these obligations, the mission of the school is to: 1. Provide a world class management education that will equip students with a strong analytical foundation. 2. Undertake and disseminate research that expands the frontiers of knowledge in management and economics. 3. Recognizing that Krannert is housed in a comprehensive land grant university, conduct selected outreach and economic development activities that enhance the lives and productivity of the school's many constituents. See attachment for more details on the statement of vision, mission, shared principles, and strategic goals and practices.

Program Structure: The MSM (MBA equivalent) is a two-year, 60 credit program consisting of core courses (35 credits) in all the functional areas of management and offers students the option to specialize in a particular area of study. These option areas include accounting, finance, marketing, strategic management, operations management, management of information systems, human resource management and three interdisciplinary options, general management, international management and manufacturing management.

System: semesters divided into two eight-week sessions

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year - fall and spring semesters; 2nd year - fall semester

Core Courses Listed: Year 1, fall semester: Microeconomics 514, Financial Accounting, Quantitative Methods I, Behavior in Organizations, Managerial Communication Skills, Managerial Accounting, Financial Management I, Marketing Management I, Quantitative Methods II, Managerial Communication Skills, Year 1, spring semester: Operations Management I, Strategic Management I, Marketing Management II, Financial Management II, Operations Management II, Strategic Management II, Year 2, fall semester, Principles of Information Systems, Legal & Social Foundations of Mgmt. I, Macroeconomics 515

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: See attachments.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Stanford University, Stanford Graduate School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 9

Theme or Intent: The school has a rigorous, intellectually challenging curriculum with flexibility, allowing students to tailor their education to meet personal goals. The program is designed to prepare students to be great senior-level managers. The school provides a conceptual framework that focuses on the underlying forces in business, not simply on the current best practices. Students are encouraged to spend their two years exploring new fields and careers and taking intellectual risks. There are no majors and students are not required to specialize in one area . The flexible academic program also allows students to earn a dual degree in another school or department.

Program Structure:

System: quarters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Financial Accounting, Managerial Economics, Information Economics, Finance, Managing in the Global Economy, Human Resource management, Marketing Management, Management in Nonmarket Environments, Organizational Behavior, Strategic management, Management in an Information Age, Operations Management, Data and Decisions

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects: Pre-Term class, including: Ethics, Managing Through Mutual Agreement and Modelizing and Analysis

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 16

Theme or Intent: New technologies are profoundly transforming the world of business, creating a new Economy for the 21st Century. The program prepares outstanding men and women from around the world to be leaders in this rapidly changing business environment, and to take maximum advantage of the opportunities it brings. It offers an education in the fundamentals of management, and in-depth exposure to the trends that are shaking the foundations of business. The program emphasizes three interdisciplinary themes throughout its curriculum - entrepreneurship; technology; and international business management.

Program Structure: The program requires completion of 55 semester units of coursework consisting of 31 units of core courses, and 24 units of electives. The core consists of 15 courses. Thirteen of the 15 courses are taken the first year, the other two are taken in the fall semester of the second year. The 13 courses required in the 1st year are common to the schedule of all first-year and provide the foundation for the second year's work. The minimum course load during the first year is 14 units per semester. Students may select from hundreds of electives, both within and outside the school, to fulfill the 24-unit requirement. At least 18 of the 24 elective course units must be taken in graduate business classes, and at least 2 of these units must be taken in one of the strategy offerings. The remaining units may be taken as either graduate or upper-division undergraduate language courses and apply 60 percent of the credits earned toward the 24-unit elective requirement. Theory and practice are both emphasized, using a variety of teaching methods. Case studies, seminars, simulations, guest speakers, and group projects all facilitate the learning process. Leading-edge courses keep students current in hot topic areas such as E-commerce, high-tech, and international marketing. Certificates in global management, entrepreneurship, technology management and health management offer students the opportunity to specialize. Classroom learning is enhanced through real world situations. Several courses are offered in managerial accounting in the manufacturing, service, and high tech industries, and in planning and control in internaitonal corporations. Student teams regularly work with local companies. International aspects of the curriculum provide opportuntiies to spend a semester abroad, to visit other countries during breaks, and to serve as consultants for companies around the world as part of the International Business Development program. The curriculum is flexible amd students can design courses of their own in conjunction with a faculty memeber.

Fifteen core courses provide a foundation of analytical tools. The courses are designed to build upon one another and provide a common foundation. Faculty members meet weekly to discuss issues that arise in each course and to coordinate syllabi. Common problem sets or case studies are chosen. The first semester concludes with a "Capstone" project, where students integrate their courses in accounting, microeconomics, and finance. Three publicly traded companies are chosen by faculty for study. Student teams produce a written report valuing one of the companies as if for a takeover, using only public information to evaluate the "target" company. A wide array of elective courses is available in the 2nd year, allowing student to specialize. In the second year, students must take a strategy course.

System: 4 15-week semesters

Core Courses are Taken: mostly 1st year, but some 2nd year

Core Courses Listed: Introduction to Data Analysis for Management, Quantitative Methods, Communicating as a Manager, Economic Analysis for Business Decisions, Macroeconomics in the Global Economy, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Introduction to Finance, Introduction to Operations Management, Organizational Behavior, Marketing Organization and Managemetn, Managing Business Ethics in the Global Economy, Business and Public Policy, Information Technology Management, Professional Skills

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects: Capstone course.

University of California-Riverside, A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management BusinessWeek Ranking: 12

Theme or Intent: A tradition of academic excellence and an innovative student-centered curriculum characterize the program. The curriculum provides a balance of the art and science of management, with a particular emphasis on managing through information, and recognizes the global context of management. The curriculum stresses the essential interdependencies that exist across functional areas, emphasizing the development of superior management skills in addition to strong theoretical foundations. Students learn rigorous analytical techniques as well as practical skills for the implementation of solutions. Great importance is placed on teamwork, relationships, and communication.

Program Structure: Students are required to complete a total of 23 courses (92 quarter units). The curriculum includes five major components. There are 12 required core courses, an internship, up to 9 electives, a capstone course, and a competitive case project or thesis.

System: quarters

Core Courses are Taken:

Core Courses Listed: Management Communication Workshop, Managing Behavior in Organizations, Statistics for Management, Financial Management, Managerial Economics, Computer Systems for Management, Introduction to management Science, Business, Government, and Society, Marketing Management, Financial Accounting, Management Synthesis, Choose 2 of the following:, Cost and Management Accounting, Production and Operations Management, Human Resources Management, Capstone Course: Business Policy and Strategy

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects: Case Project or Thesis. Students are required either to submit a management case for a case competition in their last quarter or complete a thesis. The case serves in lieu of a comprehensive examination for students who choose not to write a thesis. The thesis is a two or more quarter research endeavor to be initiated during a student's final year in the program.

University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 3

Theme or Intent: The school's philosophy holds that it is wasteful and inefficient for a university to try to provide a pale substitute for business experience. What the university can do well is develop the student's critical, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities. The school's approach has been to teach primarily the disciplines that underlie business operations and their applications in business management and to conduct research that will contribute to the solution of business problems and new ones as yet unknown. The school recognizes that superior education for business and research on business problems require the joint efforts of such scholars as economists, statisticians, behavioral scientists, mathematicians, lawyers, and accountants, as well as specialists in the operational areas of business. The faculty of the school is drawn from a variety of disciplines, and the school's close ties with the rest of the university enable it to integrate work in the school with work in other departments.

Program Structure: Students choose elective courses from a variety of options, giving exceptional latitude to individual programs. Many students choose a program that prepares them for fairly broad management responsibility. Others may wish to give particular emphasis to one or more specific disciplines or fields. The concentration option is open to the student who wishes to follow a structured course of study designed to develop special competence in a given field. Not every field of study offers a concentration. In general, a concentration comprises three or four courses in one field or in two related fields. Completing a concentration is not a requirement for graduation; however, students often concentrate in a particular field (and have that fact appear on the official university transcript) by using their electives to fulfill the requirements for concentration sequences as determined by the faculty. Approved sequences, which are listed in the descriptions of the fields of study, are usually recommended for the student who has had little prior education in the field he or she selects. Other concentration sequences for students with prior advanced work or with specialized interests may be approved by the appropriate faculty through a petition to the campus MBA office. Because about half the student's program consists of electives, it is possible to organize programs including one or two concentrations. If two concentrations are chosen the fields can either be complementary, or if greater breadth is desired, distantly related.

The Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) program provides a common educational experience within a curriculum that has always offered exceptional flexibility. This required, noncredit course for campus students strengthens general management skills through a cohort experience and experiential learning. Course content is driven largely by students drawing on the expertise of consultants, professional organizations, and faculty members to develop interactive workshops in areas of diversity, self-awareness, presentation skills, and ethical decision making. Class activities in autumn quarter revolve around student cohorts that build a sense of community, instill the value of teamwork, and acquaint students with the school. LEAD, and the first year, conclude with a spring retreat designed to provide an opportunity for reflection as students reach the midpoint of their program.

System: 4 quarters, year round

Core Courses are Taken: Foundation courses completed by end of 2nd semester

Within the 4 major components listed below, there is only 1 specifically required course: LEAD. All other course have approved substitutes.

Core Courses Listed: LEAD, Foundation courses: Microeconomics, Financial Accounting, and Statistics, Required breadth course from one of the following areas: macroeconomics, managerial accounting, finance, human resources management, marketing, and production., Two General Management courses from the following: Managerial Decision Making, Managing in Organizations, Strategy and Structure: Organizational Behavior, Power and Influence in Organizations, Business Policy, Strategy and Structure: Markets and Organizations, and Competitive Strategy. See attachment for course descriptions.

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

Any course offerings of the Graduate School of Business or other schools and divisions of the university can be taken as electives.

Required Simulations or Projects:

University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 22

Theme or Intent: To succeed, students must possess an understanding of both core management functions and innovative e-business practices; an ability to work effectively as a team member and to lead others; an entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to embrace change. The program delivers the management education students need to excel in the Network Economy. The program combines an in-depth education in core functional areas such as marketing and finance with interdisciplinary concentrations in emerging areas, including e-commerce, entrepreneurship, and global knowledge management. Integrated throughout the curriculum is an understanding of information technology and its application in business processes and decision making. The school's location in the Washington D.C. area combined with a flexible curriculum attracts a diverse group of talented students. With a customized curriculum and a focused career development program, our students are on track to meet and even surpass their personal career goals. And through the continued success of our alumni, our corporate partnerships are strong.

Program Structure: With its focus on cross-functional learning and on the role of technology in business in the information age, the school offers a curriculum that reflects the ever-changing needs of contemporary organizations. The program prepares students to be effective leaders by emphasizing conceptual, analytical, technical, and interpersonal skills. First-year courses establish a highly integrated foundation on which students can build a more focused curriculum directly related to their personal career choices. The second year consists primarily of electives, which allow students to develop specific skills within one or two areas of interest. Of the 54 total credit hours needed to complete the program, 30 credits are required course credits and 24 are elective credits.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Financial Reporting and cost Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Business Communications, Strategic Information Systems, Data Models and Decisions, Financial Management, Marketing Management, Leadership and Teamwork, Managing Human Capital, Supply Chain Logistics and Operations Management, Managerial Economics and Public Policy, The Global Economic Environment, Strategic Management

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects: MBA Consulting Project. In groups of 4-6, MBA students combine their new business savvy with prior professional experience to solve complex problems or research new initiatives such as: asset tracking, feasibility of electronic bill payment services, business planning for new ventures, competitive analysis and recommendations for firms or business segments, data base design and development, employee evaluation and feedback systems, marketing audits, and more. Beginning the first day of the fall semester, MBA Consultants work with the client organizaiton to clarify the issue at hand, determine the scope of the work and set the timeline to meet completion by early December. All projects require a deliverable report in both written and oral formats. Experiential Larning Modules. Course work alone is not enough to give students a competitive edge. Employers need MBAs who possess a complete understanding of the ramifications of strategy implementation. Students are prepared for this through 5 Experiential Learning Modules (ELM). Elms bring to life the theories learned in the classroom and augment technical knowledge by providing another dimension to the learning process. Nationally known consultants share their expetise with MBA students in these week-long intensive modules. Students develop proficiency in such areas a team-building, ethics, career management, and global markets. The modules are designed to foster behavioral skills not easily developed in the traditional classroom setting. The five modules include: Washington Week, Business Mehics Module, Career Development, MBA Case Competition, and Business Information Module.

University of Michigan, The University of Michigan Business School BusinessWeek Ranking: 4

Theme or Intent: The school has a tradition of building deep expertise in every business function. In today's cross-functional business world, that tradition is paying off dramatically and matters more than ever. Students can choose a specialty and know that they will learn about their chosen functional area from some of the finest minds in the field. Students have the option of developing advanced expertise through one of the largest arrays of elective courses available anywhere. They receive top-notch working knowledge of every other functional area as well. Also, see attached.

Program Structure: See attachment.

See attached.

System: Both 14 week sessions (semester long), and 7 week intensive sessions

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

These courses are taken the first year, fall term.

Core Courses Listed: Financial Accounting, Applied Microeconomics, Marketing Management, Applied Business Statistics, Corporate Strategy I, Principles of Finance, The World Economy, These course are taken the first year, Winter term., Managerial Accounting, Human Behavior and Organization, Operations management, Principles of Corporate Finance, These courses are taken the 2nd year., Corporate Strategy II, Managerial Writing, Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP), see attachment.

Titles for groups of electives: Elective Experiential Learning Opportunities, The Michigan Business Assistance (MBA) Domestic Corps, The Washington Campus Program, Global Projects Course, The William Davidson Institute Business Assistance and Survey Projects, The Africa Corps, Global Leadership program, MBA Enterprise Corps

Electives:

Designated Elective - Elect either an ethics or business law course at some time during the MBA program. Free Business Electives - The full-time MBA degree program requires successful completion of 60 graduate credit hours. Of these, at least 28 1/2 may be taken as free electives. Students may focus on one functional area or may select a more broad-based general management curriculum. Electives in Other Units of the University - Students may broaden their training by electing up to ten hours of graduate study in other units of the Univ. of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Required Simulations or Projects: Executive Skills Program - students choose workshops based on the results of the assessments they complete during LDP (Leadership Development Program). LDP is a week long orientation.

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School BusinessWeek Ranking: 19

Theme or Intent: A rock solid general management foundation, the flexibility to meet personal goals, and, above all, preparation for business on a small planet are what Kenan-Flagler's MBA Program is all about.

Program Structure: The core curriculum is based on a business process model. Themes are: analyzing capabilities and resources, monitoring the marketplace and external environment, formulating strategy, and implementing strategy and assessing firm performance. The 4 modules are arranged around these themes, which follow the cycle of running a business. What students learn across courses is pulled together by an integrative exercise in each mod. The integrative exercises, which are tied to the four themes of the business process model, are: evaluating a company, market entry decision, business plan exercise, and business simulation. Integration of lessons learned also occurs by focusing on a set of companies. Cases used in multiple course add depth and breadth to students' learning. This innovation is a direct result of our student's feedback that they would like to study cases more deeply across areas and courses.

Each student is assigned to a study group of 5 or 6 people with diverse work experience, interests and cultures, who throughout the year work on team projects, discuss cases, solve problems, brainstorm and generally learn to support each other. Groups remain the same all year - much like being on a corporate project team. Teamwork is a critical element for success in the program.

Career Concentrations available in: Corporate Finance, Investment Management, Management Consulting, Customer and Product Management, Global Supply Chain Management and Real Estate

Enrichment Concentrations available in: Entrepreneurship and Venture Development, Environmentally Sustainable Business Development, Information Technology and International Business

System: 4 modules per year, each lasting about 7 weeks with courses fitting into 1, 2 or more modules

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: See attached for core course descriptions., Communication and Leadership Skills:, Corporate Strategy:, Ethics:, Financial Accounting:, Financial Management:, General Management and Strategy:, Global Perspectives:, Management Competencies:, Managerial Accounting:, Marketing:, Microeconomics:, Operations:, Principles of Global Capitalism:, Quantitative Methods:, Strategic Economics:, Strategic Information Technology: Core course descriptions are not available. New core curriculum to be implemented in Fall 2000. Course descriptions are not available at this time – 8/30/00.

Titles for groups of electives: Global Immersion Electives - The Mexican Economy: Opportunities and Prospects, Business in South Africa, Cuba, Business in Central Europe, East Asia Business, and Business in the Southern Cone

Electives:

Required Simulations or Projects:

University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School BusinessWeek Ranking: 1

Theme or Intent: When entrepreneur and industrialist Joseph Wharton founded the world's first collegiate school of management in 1881, he believed future business leaders needed an education that was both broad and rigorous. That concept changed the model for corporate leadership in the 20th century. Today Wharton continues its tradition of innovation - and continues to have an impact on the way business is conducted worldwide. With a curriculum designed specifically to meet the changing demands of a global marketplace, Wharton educates men and women who will know how to lead in the challenging business environment today and in the century ahead.

Program Structure: See attachment.

System: Four 6-week quarters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Financial Accounting, Fundamentals of Managerial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Macroeconomic Analysis and Public Policy, Governmental and Legal Environment of Business, Managerial Economics, Management of People at Work, Foundations of Leadership and Teamwork, Field Application Project, Competitive Strategy, Global Strategic Management, Marketing Management: Program Design, Marketing Management: Strategy, Management Science, Operations Management: Quality and Productivity, Operations Management: Supply Chain Management, Statistical Analysis for Management

Titles for groups of electives: Global Immersion Program - see attachment.

Electives:

Required Simulations or Projects: Foundations of Leadership and Teamwork. In the first semester leadership course, students work individually and in 5-person "learning teams" to examine issues of self-awareness, teamwork, ethics, communication, effective negotiation, managing differences, managing careers, and power and authority. Field Application Project. In the second semester of the Leadership course, the learning teams choose a "live" field project in which they must define a critical problem or challenge and bring together a set of strategic recommendations for the "client" organization that uses an integrative, multidisciplinary perspective.

University of Southern California - Los Angeles, Marshall School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 25

Theme or Intent: Striking a balance between theory and practice, the school has developed a two-year curriculum that combines scholarship with practical experience. The first year provides a coordinated sequence of study that equips students with the fundamental tools and functional knowledge that every business leader must have. In contrast, the second year offers the opportunity to pursue elective courses in one or more areas of concentration. Faculty and students explore business problems from a multidisciplinary perspective that emphasizes interpersonal skills and teamwork, develops leadership and entrepreneurial talents, increases global awareness and improves technological knowledge. Operating with a low student/faculty ratio and small class sizes, faculty members work closely with students and with the business community. The school's location on the Pacific Rim, its proximity to the major business and financial centers of Los Angeles and its strong alumni network offer additional opportunities for intellectual exchange and practical experience.

Program Structure: The first year of study provides a core of general management knowledge and skills as it illustrates the demands of a career in business. Students develop solid analytical abilities, establish collaborative and team-building skills and become aware of social responsibility as a factor ind ecision-making. Students acquire an understanding of the global marketplace and how it is affected by cultural differences. The first year is dedicated to a rigorous core program that builds a range of professional and interpersonal skills through three carefully sequenced terms of study: First Term: Foundations of General Management. Second Term: Management Functions. Third Term: Integration and Globalization. Marshall's commitment to experiential education dominates the second year of the program. Students spend the summer following the end of the firs tyear with an internship that brings business concepts to life or travel overseas for additional study. Many students take advantage of Marshall's network of exchange partners and arrange to spend a semester abroad as part of the MBA International Exchange Program. The 2nd year allows pursuit of elective courses in chosen areas of concentration. Coursework can be taken in one or two concentrations, individualized programs that cut across several concentrations, or courses from other schools withint he university.

System: quarters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting, Applied Managerial Statistics, Communication for Management, Contemporary Issues in Competitive Strategy, Managerial Economics, Accounting Control Systems, Behavior and Organizations, Corporate Finance, Marketing Management, Operations Management, Business Environment and Management Practices in the Pacific Rim, Contemporary Issues in Competitive Strategy, Electronic Commerce, The National and International Economy

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: Electives are taken within concentrations. A concentration is intended to provide students with a strong basic specialization that prepares them well for the job market. All concentrations list at least one required course; students are also expected to take a certain number of additional courses from a specific list. These concentrations were designed following consultation with alumni and others who work in areas related to our academic disciplines. The primary concentration should be in a "functional discipline" such as Marketing or Finance, while a secondary concentration should supplement the primary concentration with a particular job focus in mind, such as the Business of Entertainment. Another approach to a secondary concentration might be to creat your own concentration by adding certain enrichment courses that fit your career interests, such as an information systems or an international course.

Required Simulations or Projects: PRIME - PACIFIC RIM EDUCATION PROGRAM A part of the core course Business Environment and Management Practices in the Pacific Rim, it is an intensive, 5-week module decicated to Asian and Latin American business practices. It combines case work and specialized lectures with a team project and a 10-day on-site research trip to a country outside the U.S. While completing filed work abroad, students visit the facilities of numerous local and international companies, interview senior managers and interact in an environment that challenges students personally andprofessionally. Designed to provide a practical application of the skills that have been acquired in the first year of study, this innovative program places you in short-term partnerships with industry leaders, professors and other students. grounded in experience, PRIME provides a global perspective and enhances understanding of the challenges, risks and rewards of international business.

University of Texas-Austin, McCombs School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 18

Theme or Intent: The objective is to develop managers who are able to assume high-level responsibilities in the rapidly changing national and international environment of the public and private sectors. The curriculum is designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity; to develop analytical and research ability; and to give students the ability to make sound managerial decisions, to plan, organize, and control activities in order to achieve established goals, and to manage people, organizations, and change. Students are expected to acquire the concepts, tools, and understanding to operate in and contribute successfully to new economic environments. The program offers a wide range of choices to complete a course of advanced study that integrates developments, theory, and applications involved in the exercise of executive and staff administrative responsibilities. Technology, entrepreneurship, and globalization represent three areas of strength. The school has academic strength across all major subject areas. Its curriculum seeks to expand horizons while deepening a knowledge of fundamental business practices.

Program Structure: The Option I program is a two-year, full-time program (Option II program is Executive MBA). Students enter the program in the fall and graduate at the end of the second spring semester. Fifteen hours of coursework are required each semester. A total of 60 semester hours is required. Twenty-one semester hours are provided by the core courses. A minimum of 2-years work experience is required. During the 1st semester, students are organized into cohorts of about 60 members with attention given to balance and diversity across and within cohorts, respectively. Within each cohort and in particular courses, students may be assigned to four- or five-person study groups to encourage group problem solving and teamwork and the development of leadership skills. Each cohort remains together for most first-semester required classes to share a common educational experience. The common educational experience of required core courses is designed to endow all students with basic general management capabilities, regardless of their subsequent concentrations or earlier career paths. These courses cover the following 7 topics: Accounting, Financial Management, Information Technology Management, Managerial Economics, Marketing Management, Operations Management and Statistics. Students are not required to choose a concentration or specialization.

An integral part of the first-year learning experience is assignment to project teams chosen from within the cohorts. These teams facilitate cross-functional and cooperative problem-solving experiences. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of this opportunity to share background experience, to support individual members, to use and expand the team's capabilities and to extend this first and future professional network of important colleagues.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year, 1st 2 semesters

Core Courses Listed: Financial Accounting, Statistics, Information Technology Management, Managerial Economics, Operations Management, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Spanish

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

Thirty-nine semester hours of graduate electives are required; with the adviser's approval, nine hours may be taken outside the Graduate School of Business. The student may concentrate the elective coursework within a discipline, such as marketing, or may choose a specialization, such as consumer packaged goods marketing; each specialization consists of a sequence of courses that offers strong preparation for a particular career path. Electives are taken in the 2nd year.

Required Simulations or Projects:

University of Virginia, Darden Graduate School of Business Administration BusinessWeek Ranking: 11

Theme or Intent: The school has built its reputation for excellence on a distinctive foundation. Part of Thomas Jefferson's University of Virginia, the school is a supportive community known for close ties to business practice, case-method instruction, superb teaching, international awareness, ethics, entrepreneurial leadership and an integrated, general management curriculum. At its core, the curriculum aims to create a business leader with many skills, a person who can analyze a business situation from different perspectives and then exercise the judgment required to create a solution. Darden MBAs are highly skilled in finance, in marketing, in operations - in all the traditional functional areas of business. But the answers to business dilemmas rarely lie in only one discipline. The solutions - and the successes - lie in their intersection. Darden teaches how to see those intersections, how to frame quantitative and qualitative questions, and how to articulate comprehensive answers to complex problems.

Program Structure: Case-Method Teaching. The curriculum creates a business leader with many skills, a person who can analyze a business situation from different perspectives and then exercise the judgment required to create a solution. Students are skilled in finance, marketing, and operations - all the traditional functional areas. But the answers to business dilemmas rarely lie in only one discipline. The solutions lie in their intersection. Darden teaches how to see those intersections, how to frame quantitative and qualitative questions, and how to articulate comprehensive answers to complex problems. Students master these skills through daily participation in the school's case-method pedagogy. Students discuss and debate actual business cases, building a strong frame of reference for the new situations they will face in their career. Integrated Curriculum. The 10 courses of the First Year are taught simultaneously by a team of faculty members who coordinate the concepts they present. Electives and a Business Project during the Second Year enables students to tailor the MBA for their own career strategy. Second Year Curriculum. Electives range from concentrated one-week and three-week seminars to half-semester and full-semester offerings. The Second Year has two mandatory elements: A Leadership requirement, which can be satisfied by taking one of several Leadership courses, and a Business Project. Business Projects are usually consulting assignments that create a transition between the classroom and the business world.

Foundational Skills: To provide entering students with comfort in certain essential skills on which the curriculum builds, the school provides work to be completed during the summer. The self-paced Foundational Skills modules cover financial accounting, computing, numeracy and communication. Each computer based module is flexible to accommodate the range of academic preparation and business experience within the entering class.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st year

Core Courses Listed: Accounting, Business and the Political Economy, Ethics, Finance, Management Communication, Marketing, Operations, Organizational Behavior, Quantitative Analysis, Strategy

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects:

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison School of Business BusinessWeek Ranking: 23

Theme or Intent: The mission of the school is to prepare students to become leaders in the new management environment marked by increased globalization, constant change in technology, and growing emphasis on teamwork and alliances.

Program Structure: Teamwork, international perspective, communication skills, continuous improvement and ethics are critical themes integrated throughout the curriculum.

The program consists of 54 credits and typically takes four semesters to complete. Students who have completed prior study comparable in content and method to business foundation courses may waive up to13 of these credits, which can reduce the program to 3 semesters. Students are able to tailor their programs. A broad array of degree and major options provide the foundation to achieve personal goals.

System: semester and mini-semesters

Core Courses are Taken: 1st and 2nd years

Core Courses Listed: Financial Accounting, Marketing Management, Leadership Effectiveness, Motivational Effectiveness, Data Analysis for Managers, Business Strategy, Financial Management, Managerial Accounting, Managerial Communications, Managerial Economics, Operations Management, Information Technology for Management, Ethics and Social Responsibility, Managing the Legal Environment, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Management of Innovation and Technology

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

Elective choices are tightly controlled with choices for the most part restricted to the major of choice.

Required Simulations or Projects:

Washington University, John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis BusinessWeek Ranking: 17

Theme or Intent: The mission of the school is to promote learning - learning by students and by faculty. Teaching, the transmission of knowledge, is central to the mission, as is research. The goal is to foster excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and service: to prepare students with the attitudes, skills, and habits of life-long learning and with leadership skills, enabling them to be useful members of a global society. The school judges itself by the most demanding standards; to attract people of great ability from all types of backgrounds; to encourage faculty and students to be bold, independent, and creative thinkers; and to provide the infrastructure to support teaching, research, scholarship, and service for the present and for future generations.

Program Structure: Fall Semester 1st Year - A strategy course provides a preview of the program. Students are introduced to all key business disciplines - finance, marketing, operations, and organizational behavior. An integrative case study course brings them all together. Key models and tools needed to frame and analyze the fundamental issues of management, and major functional areas of the firm; finance, marketing, and operations; are introduced. A course in organizational behavior provides an understanding of the human side of management. The Integrating Case Experience (ICE) ties the core program together. Spring Semester 1st Year - While completing the last required course, students choose 4 - 7 electives. Students are not required to declare a major area of study. A full-time student enrolls in 4 consecutive semesters, comprising 10 or more credit hours each. At least 40 credits can be electives. Candidates complete a minimum of 45 credits in graduate-level courses. With prior approval, the remaining 15 credits may be earned in other University graduate courses. Second Year - The second year builds individual confidence and competence. Electives - Students may choose any combination of 1.5 credit mini-term courses or 3 credit full-semester courses to bring the total credits to 60. Spring Semester - The Strategic Management capstone course focuses on the skills that empower general managers to diagnose complex business situations and to resolve critical strategic and organizational problems. The entire MBA class engages in a simulation called "Super Tycoon" where students pit their skills against those of competing teams in the international marketplace.

System: 2 mini-terms per semester. Some courses can be taken for an entire semester and others in a mini-semester.

Core Courses are Taken: 1st semester

Core Courses Listed: Professional Development Planning, Introduction to Management and Strategy, Managerial Economics, Managerial Statisticsq, Introduction to Financial Accounting, Financial Management, Marketing Management, Operations Management, Organizational Behavior and Design, Integrating Case Experience

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives:

See attachment.

Required Simulations or Projects: The entire MBA class engages in a well-known management simulation called "Super Tycoon."

Yale, Yale School of Management BusinessWeek Ranking: 20

Theme or Intent: The school's goal is to prepare students for leadership positions in organizations throughout the world. Students receive an rigorous business education. Beyond this students receive broad intellectual framework and practical skills. The school links business skills with a broad understanding of forces in society. The school provides a broad-based and in-depth business education that pervades the classroom, where cases and problem-solving exercises are drawn from all sectors of the economy. The school was the pioneer in training students to work in teams and in teaching management skills applicable to business, government, and nonprofit enterprises. Students are encouraged to take courses throughout the university. There is not another business school in the country which is so thoroughly integrated with all parts of its parent university. Leaders come from all sectors of society to campus to talk to students; and the school goes out to meet them. By getting inside companies, students get a real education in management.

Program Structure: Students must complete 18 courses over two academic years. In addition to the first-year core, students are required to complete Perspectives on Leadership, a year-long activity that brings to the school distinguished executives to share their expertise on managerial leadership. During the summer between the first and second years, students undertake an internship or other approved activity. In the second year, students focus on elective courses but also fulfill the In-Depth Training Requirement through either an In-Depth Sequence (2 courses) or Concentration (3 courses). In-Depth Sequences cover a broad range of advanced management topics, while Concentrations are offered in the following areas: Finance, Strategy, Marketing, Leadership, Operations Management, Public Management, and Nonprofit Management. In the first year, students acquire the basic tools needed to manage and lead organizations. Through a rigorous core, they master the fundamentals of management theory and practice. Students build on their core business knowledge during the second year. Through carefully chosen electives, and by fulfilling the In-depth Sequence or Concentration requirements, students complete their last year of study with both depth and breadth in subjects of particular interest to them.

A thorough understanding of the economic and management principles that underlie innovation and technology is essential preparation for a career in business. The curriculum seeks to help accomplish this goal through a four-tiered approach. The core: Analysis of innovation and technology is integrated into the core courses that introduce students to basic principles of business. Technology electives: Specifically directed at in-depth exploration of various aspects of technology in business. Management electives: Many electives in functions of management address the use and management of information and other technologies. Yale electives: Students may take courses at many other Yale schools that offer courses on the use and analysis of aspects of information and other technologies in, for example, law, medicine, arts, environment, and social sciences. This multi-tiered approach helps all graduates understand the important aspects of technology in management, and the management of technology. It also allows attainment of in-depth expertise.

System: semesters

Core Courses are Taken:

Core Courses Listed: Fundamentals of Accounting, Financial Reporting or Managerial Accounting, Data Analysis and Statistics, Economic Analysis, Decision Analysis and Game Theory, The Strategic Environment of Management, Foundations of Teams, The Politics of Strategic Management or Designing and Managing Organizations, Marketing Management, Operations Management I, Valuation and Investment and Corporate Finance and Options

Titles for groups of electives:

Electives: In the second year, students take as many as 7 electives, which may be selected from the wide range of advanced-level course offerings at the school or from courses in other schools and departments. One of the highest priorities is to link closely with their parent insitution, and students regularly enroll in courses at Yale Law School, the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, the School of Epidemiology and Public Health, and in International Relations, Political Science, Computer Science, Engineering, and Economics, to name a few. Many elective course have an international focus. See attached information.

Required Simulations or Projects: Perspectives on Leadership. Perspectives is a year-long lecture series featuring global leaders whose experience complements the theoretical concepts taught in the core curriculum.