Stanford MBA Program

Garth Saloner
Chairman of the Task Force on Curriculum Review
Jeffrey S. Skoll Professor of Electronic Commerce, Strategic Management, and Economics
Codirector of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies

Q: Why did the GSB decide to introduce a new MBA curriculum?

A: Professor Saloner:
Every five or ten years, we undertake a comprehensive examination of our curriculum...more (2:24 minutes)*

Q: What are the key elements of the new curriculum?

A: Professor Saloner:
The key elements of the new curriculum are several-fold...more (1:36 minutes)*

Q: All students will study the same courses, collectively called General Management Perspectives, in the fall quarter of their first year. Can you talk about some of those courses?

A: Professor Saloner:
We have a fabulous fall quarter. The fall quarter has the following courses...more (4:34 minutes)*

Q: Please provide some insights into the new Critical Analytical Thinking class, which is part of General Management Perspectives.

A: Professor Saloner:
We are developing a brand new course for the fall quarter of the first year which is titled Critical Analytical Thinking. This is a course that has a wide variety of objectives...more (3:41 minutes)*

Q: One unique aspect of Stanford's new curriculum is that each student will be assigned a faculty advisor. How will the faculty advisor work with each student in the first year?

A: Professor Saloner:
The advisory relationship is mainly to get students started...more (2:26 minutes)*

Q: What is the benefit of having different "levels" and "flavors" of General Management Cornerstone courses?

A: Professor Saloner:
One of the main things we found when we spoke to students, alumni, and faculty, is we're trying to deal with a very diverse group of students by way of background and experience, not by way of ability...more (2:33 minutes)*

Q: How will students know which course is best for them within each General Management Cornerstone discipline?

A: Professor Saloner:
Students come with diverse backgrounds and they are strong in some areas in terms of experience and they're weak in some areas in terms of experience...more (1:07 minutes)*

Q: As the faculty advisor guides each student, the faculty advisor and the student may have different opinions as to which courses the student should take. How will those differences be managed?

A: Professor Saloner:
...I think students will have significant input into crafting a path of learning together with a faculty advisor...more (1:30 minutes)*

Q: Another unique aspect of Stanford's new MBA curriculum is a required international experience. Tell us more.

A: Professor Saloner:
Every first year student is required to undertake a global experience of some kind that broadens their view of the world...more (1:24 minutes)*

Q: How will this curriculum prepare GSB students to become even better leaders?

A: Professor Saloner:
The program will help prepare leaders in a variety of ways...more (1:13 minutes)*

Q: How is this curriculum different from what might be offered at other MBA programs?

A: Professor Saloner:
This program is unique in several ways...more (1:19 minutes)*

Q: With approximately 370 students per class, the GSB has deliberately chosen an optimal class size to maximize both learning and community building. Does the School anticipate changing the class size to accommodate this new curriculum?

A: Professor Saloner:
The class size will remain roughly where it has been. We're not planning any significant changes around class size...more (0:35 minutes)*

Q: The GSB plans to build a new campus, the Knight Management Center, across the street from the School's Schwab Residential Center. How will the new campus support the new curriculum?

A: Professor Saloner:
The new curriculum is going to put tremendous demands on facilities...more (0:48 minutes)*