At Stanford, study groups enrich and diversify discussions and projects by bringing together a wide range of perspectives, interests, and business skills.
- Joint and Dual Degrees
- Second Year Electives
- Classes at Stanford University
- School of Earth Sciences
- School of Education
- School of Engineering
- School of Humanities & Sciences
- School of Law
- School of Medicine
- Alliance for Innovative Manufacturing (AIM)
- Bio-X Program
- Institute of Design at Stanford (d.school)
- IPER (Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Environment and Resources)
Learning Methods
One Size Does Not Fit All
At Stanford, we believe that the range of teaching methods we offer is best suited to the range of challenges that you'll encounter throughout your career.
Here, you will participate in case studies, theoretical overviews, discussions, simulations, problem-solving sessions, role-plays, and team projects.
For example, a strategy course may use the case method, while an operations course is better suited to a simulation, and an accounting course may be a mix of discussion and cases.
In tomorrow's organizations, no single approach will successfully meet all challenges. With your Stanford MBA education, however, you will have the breadth and depth of management preparation to meet the challenges ahead.
Multidisciplinary Opportunities
The business world has become increasingly complex, so effective leaders must examine issues from an integrated viewpoint with various angles.
As an integral part of Stanford University, the Graduate School of Business benefits from access to faculty, courses, and research from its esteemed Schools of Earth Sciences, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Sciences, Law, and Medicine.
Stanford has unmatched excellence and breadth. You will see experts from different fields coming together to teach courses like Ethical Issues in the Biotech Industry, a joint collaboration with Stanford University's Bio-X program.
As an MBA student, you also can take Stanford University classes outside of the Business School and apply approximately 12 class credits toward your MBA degree. Joint-degree programs are available with the Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources, with the Public Policy Program, and with the Schools of Education and Law. Finally, you may even pursue a dual degree in a variety of fields, such as electrical engineering or environment and resources.
Experiential Learning
We strongly believe in learning by doing. Because of our small size, the School can bring intimate, participatory learning experiences to all MBA students.
Throughout your two years of study you will see an emphasis on experiential learning with hands-on simulations, role-playing, and other exercises that actively engage you in the learning process.
In particular, our leadership studies involve experiential opportunities through learning labs, face-to-face feedback sessions, and other leadership exercises that provide ongoing opportunities to bridge academic theory and real-world practice.
Bass Seminars
Beyond the first level of learning with the General Management Perspectives and General Management Cornerstones and the second level of knowledge-building with the elective offerings, there is a third level of learning. And there is nothing more exhilarating than diving deep into a field and pushing your knowledge to the next level.
Thanks to an extraordinary $30 million gift from Anne T. and Robert M. Bass, MBA '74, we are able to offer extremely innovative Bass Seminars in which you are able to bring your experiences, skills, and interests to bear in course development.
Many electives employ team-based research projects, but Bass Seminars shift the emphasis. The students' work product is the muscle and flesh, placed on the skeletal framework established by the instructor.
Bass Seminars provide a very engaging learning environment, and both students and instructors describe these courses as some of their best classroom experiences.
Because of our small size, Stanford is uniquely suited to offer innovative learning opportunities like Bass Seminars.
Recent Bass Seminar topics included:
- Entrepreneurial Design for Extreme Affordability
- Managing Global Businesses
- Managing Talent
- Applied Macroeconomics
- Strategy and Action in Information Technology
- Lives of Consequence: How Individuals Discover Paths to Meaningful Engagement
Study Groups—Collective Effort for Individual growth
Study groups enrich and diversify discussions and projects by bringing together a wide range of perspectives, interests, and business skills. Study groups also function as an important collaborative vehicle, enabling you to build on each others' strengths in analyzing and solving business issues.
During the General Management Perspectives of your first year, you will be assigned with four or five other students to a study group. After the first quarter, students generally organize their own study groups, and many classes include group projects.