Curriculum

The Stanford MBA Program will help you develop your vision and the substance required to achieve it.

This begins year one as you build your general management knowledge and gain global exposure.

Core Courses

Dive into complex managerial issues with this series of courses. You will begin to gain insight into the perspective of a senior manager or leader and to understand the larger context of management. Through practical experience and detailed feedback from your classmates and leadership coaches, you’ll enhance your leadership style. You also will focus on developing your managerial skills, including managing in a global context. Many courses offer a menu of choices in each required discipline, calibrated to your skills, experience, and future goals.

The first year mostly comprises core courses with potential room for one to two electives in winter and spring quarters.

Global Experience Requirement

The global experiences portfolio at Stanford GSB offers various exciting opportunities for students to explore and engage in worldwide issues in order to fully appreciate the complexities involved in global management. MBA students are required to participate in and complete one global experience to fulfill the global experience requirement.

The global experiences you have at Stanford will broaden your perspective, and change the way you lead — no matter where you end up.

Tailor your experience in the second year through electives, seminars, a joint or dual degree, and courses at other Stanford schools.

Electives

During the second year of the MBA program, you will likely be taking almost all electives. These courses can help broaden your experience and perspective, strengthen your areas of development, allow you to explore new subjects, and ensure a well-rounded general management education. We add new electives or substantially revise existing topics every year to respond to changes in the business environment, the social sector, and students’ interests. Elective topics include:

Compressed Courses

Take a series of two-week compressed courses to build deep knowledge in specific business topics. These two-unit concentrated courses give you flexibility in your schedule to pursue career development and other interests.

Other Classes at Stanford University

You may take Stanford courses outside Stanford GSB and apply approximately 12 class units toward your MBA degree. You may also apply these units toward a second graduate degree or pursue specific experience and knowledge in areas such as:

Every effort is made to ensure that the degree requirement and course information, applicable policies, and other materials provided by the GSB are accurate and current. The University reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice.