Top 10 Business Schools With the Best Classroom Experience
1. Indiana University-Bloomington
The Kelley M.B.A. commences with a 15-week integrated core curriculum "consisting of eight subjects taught by eight faculty members. It's an amazing learning experience." Students tell us that "the core is frustrating, challenging and fun all at the same time. The integrated curriculum helps students make connections between business functions."
It helps that "core faculty are excellent teachers although most also have extensive research backgrounds." The core and a leadership/professional/career development module consume most of the first semester; the second allows students to begin major and elective work, enhanced by industry-focused, week-long "academies" that provide concentrated exposure to a business sector through guest speakers, seminars, field trips and case competitions.
Students that considered Indiana also looked at Purdue University, Stanford University, the University of Chicago and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
It helps that "core faculty are excellent teachers although most also have extensive research backgrounds." The core and a leadership/professional/career development module consume most of the first semester; the second allows students to begin major and elective work, enhanced by industry-focused, week-long "academies" that provide concentrated exposure to a business sector through guest speakers, seminars, field trips and case competitions.
Students that considered Indiana also looked at Purdue University, Stanford University, the University of Chicago and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
2. Harvard University (Boston)
The case method predominates at Harvard; explains one student, "I sit in my section of 90 students every day and debate business topics. My section mates come from all walks of life and all of them are incredibly successful. I prepare my 13 cases per week so that I can contribute to this environment."
Numerous field-study classes supplement the program, especially during the second year, which is devoted to elective study. Ultimately, though, HBS's strength resides in the quality of its instructors. One student notes, "HBS is one of the few schools where a large part of the professor's evaluation is based on classroom teaching. The professors at HBS are wonderful teachers and take great interest in their students."
Students that considered Harvard also looked at Northwestern University, Stanford University, the Ohio State University and the University of Chicago.
Numerous field-study classes supplement the program, especially during the second year, which is devoted to elective study. Ultimately, though, HBS's strength resides in the quality of its instructors. One student notes, "HBS is one of the few schools where a large part of the professor's evaluation is based on classroom teaching. The professors at HBS are wonderful teachers and take great interest in their students."
Students that considered Harvard also looked at Northwestern University, Stanford University, the Ohio State University and the University of Chicago.
3. Millsaps College (Jackson, Miss.)
Reflecting the spirit and friendliness of the Millsaps undergraduate institution, the Else School of Management at Millsaps College offers a rigorous M.B.A. program in a refreshingly intimate atmosphere. The student/faculty ratio at Millsaps is very low, with many classes taught in teams by two or more professors.
In fact, "in class sizes of less than 20, we often have two Ph.D.s or one Ph.D. and a J.D." These numbers allow for an engaging and productive classroom experience: "Classes focus on participation and discussion," and "students are eager to learn as well as participate in class."
While professors at Millsaps actively engage in research and professional activities, they "really love teaching and their students," and "are available outside of class through e-mail or meetings. They give students the one-on-one attention that you'd expect at a small school."
For students who are struggling with course work or wish to solicit professional advice, professors "always have an open-door policy and are very open to questions, comments or suggestions." Overall, students value the preparation this workload gives them; in particular, students appreciate the fact that "the program really focuses on effective oral and written communications skills."
Students that considered Millsaps also looked at Florida International University, Indiana University-Bloomington, Pepperdine University and Quinnipiac University.
In fact, "in class sizes of less than 20, we often have two Ph.D.s or one Ph.D. and a J.D." These numbers allow for an engaging and productive classroom experience: "Classes focus on participation and discussion," and "students are eager to learn as well as participate in class."
While professors at Millsaps actively engage in research and professional activities, they "really love teaching and their students," and "are available outside of class through e-mail or meetings. They give students the one-on-one attention that you'd expect at a small school."
For students who are struggling with course work or wish to solicit professional advice, professors "always have an open-door policy and are very open to questions, comments or suggestions." Overall, students value the preparation this workload gives them; in particular, students appreciate the fact that "the program really focuses on effective oral and written communications skills."
Students that considered Millsaps also looked at Florida International University, Indiana University-Bloomington, Pepperdine University and Quinnipiac University.
4. University of Chicago
"The emphasis on [students] learning the basics rather than some predigested goo" along with "an unbeatable faculty" are "what make the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business one of the best, especially in hard-core areas such as finance and accounting," students tell us.
A "rigorous quantitative program that compels students to think critically and analytically" is the hallmark of a Chicago M.B.A., although students hasten to add that GSB also "emphasizes persuasion, communication and negotiation skills."
GSB is best known for its faculty in finance, economics and accounting, but students note that the school should work to "increase awareness of its excellence in marketing, entrepreneurship and general management disciplines." Many students also "do a one-term or full-year exchange program at a foreign business school."
Students who considered the University of Chicago also looked at Northwestern University, Stanford University, Texas A&M University-College Station and the University of Texas at Austin.
A "rigorous quantitative program that compels students to think critically and analytically" is the hallmark of a Chicago M.B.A., although students hasten to add that GSB also "emphasizes persuasion, communication and negotiation skills."
GSB is best known for its faculty in finance, economics and accounting, but students note that the school should work to "increase awareness of its excellence in marketing, entrepreneurship and general management disciplines." Many students also "do a one-term or full-year exchange program at a foreign business school."
Students who considered the University of Chicago also looked at Northwestern University, Stanford University, Texas A&M University-College Station and the University of Texas at Austin.
5. University of Virginia (Charlottesville)
It's a challenge, but a Darden education is well worth the effort as "you really gain mastery of the material." Encouraging a lively and interactive classroom environment, the school's savvy professors "are outstanding at leading a case conversation and covering all of the key learning points."
A second-year student raves, "The faculty at Darden has revolutionized my life. They have challenged me to think differently, to go deeper to find solutions to complex problems and stimulate my mind each day." Darden really distinguishes itself in its commitment to the student experience: "Professors at Darden are there because they want to teach. Students are the priority, not research."
A current student enthuses, "Professors have enormous levels of experience and are ridiculously available outside class. I've gone in unscheduled and been able to spend over an hour working on an issue -- the professor just made the time."
Students who considered the University of Virginia also looked at Fordham University, Harvard University, Kellogg, Wharton and London Business School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
A second-year student raves, "The faculty at Darden has revolutionized my life. They have challenged me to think differently, to go deeper to find solutions to complex problems and stimulate my mind each day." Darden really distinguishes itself in its commitment to the student experience: "Professors at Darden are there because they want to teach. Students are the priority, not research."
A current student enthuses, "Professors have enormous levels of experience and are ridiculously available outside class. I've gone in unscheduled and been able to spend over an hour working on an issue -- the professor just made the time."
Students who considered the University of Virginia also looked at Fordham University, Harvard University, Kellogg, Wharton and London Business School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
6. Acton M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship (Austin, Texas)
The Acton program is built upon three pillars: learning to learn, learning how to make money and learning how to live a life of meaning. Students say the program delivers on all three points and distinguishes itself by focusing on the personal side of career development.
"Acton helps us learn about ourselves by aiding us in our search for our true calling in life -- the one thing that we are the best at that intertwines with what the world needs," explains one student. "This help in our personal lives as well as our business lives is unparalleled by any other M.B.A. program." At the same time, Acton emphasizes a "concrete, nuts-and-bolts approach to business and entrepreneurship," including many hands-on projects such as operations simulation and plant tours.
Promoting an entrepreneurial spirit, Acton is "the only program in which 100 percent of the professors are actively running businesses." While they put their students through the wringer in the classroom, these "entrepreneur-teachers" are "all leaders in their fields with a real heart for teaching." One student goes so far as to say the administrative staff treats students "like we are at a Ritz-Carlton; customer service is outstanding."
Students that considered Acton also looked at University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Berkeley, University of Massachusetts-Amherst and University of Missouri-St. Louis.
"Acton helps us learn about ourselves by aiding us in our search for our true calling in life -- the one thing that we are the best at that intertwines with what the world needs," explains one student. "This help in our personal lives as well as our business lives is unparalleled by any other M.B.A. program." At the same time, Acton emphasizes a "concrete, nuts-and-bolts approach to business and entrepreneurship," including many hands-on projects such as operations simulation and plant tours.
Promoting an entrepreneurial spirit, Acton is "the only program in which 100 percent of the professors are actively running businesses." While they put their students through the wringer in the classroom, these "entrepreneur-teachers" are "all leaders in their fields with a real heart for teaching." One student goes so far as to say the administrative staff treats students "like we are at a Ritz-Carlton; customer service is outstanding."
Students that considered Acton also looked at University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Berkeley, University of Massachusetts-Amherst and University of Missouri-St. Louis.
7. East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, Tenn.)
M.B.A.s at ETSU feel that "the administration and faculty here are very student-oriented. Most have set times when they are available outside of class; others excel and
really go the extra mile both in class presentation and in their availability to those students that require extra instruction."
Professors are regarded as "very knowledgeable in their fields, and many of them are widely recognized as great scholars." One student writes, "Most of them have a work background that can lead to some very good discussions in class, and [the professors present] the applications of the concepts in the real world through their stories." Faculty members are also "easy to work with and understanding about personal matters that can arise."
Students that considered ETSU also looked at Northern Arizona University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Tennessee at Martin and University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Professors are regarded as "very knowledgeable in their fields, and many of them are widely recognized as great scholars." One student writes, "Most of them have a work background that can lead to some very good discussions in class, and [the professors present] the applications of the concepts in the real world through their stories." Faculty members are also "easy to work with and understanding about personal matters that can arise."
Students that considered ETSU also looked at Northern Arizona University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Tennessee at Martin and University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
8. Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
Miami's M.B.A. program kicks off with a four-month "summer boot camp," an intensive survey of graduate-level material in accounting, economics, information systems, marketing, organizational behavior and statistics. Boot camp lays the groundwork for the "highly integrated" classes of the fall and spring semesters.
Fall semester focuses on internal enterprise by "investigating processes and functions within the business itself," according to the school's Web site. External enterprise, "those relationships or factors which affect the business but which are not found within the company itself, such as supply-chain management, vendor partnerships and capital acquisition," is the focus of spring classes. Throughout both semesters, students participate in an extended internship that sends them off-campus one day per week.
Students that considered Miami also looked at the Ohio State University, the University of Tampa, the University of Vermont and University of Cincinnati.
Fall semester focuses on internal enterprise by "investigating processes and functions within the business itself," according to the school's Web site. External enterprise, "those relationships or factors which affect the business but which are not found within the company itself, such as supply-chain management, vendor partnerships and capital acquisition," is the focus of spring classes. Throughout both semesters, students participate in an extended internship that sends them off-campus one day per week.
Students that considered Miami also looked at the Ohio State University, the University of Tampa, the University of Vermont and University of Cincinnati.
9. University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
The M.B.A. program at Tuscaloosa is full-time only, with concentrations offered in five areas. Students speak highly of the finance and enterprise consulting programs; several (who apparently don't require sleep) praised the joint J.D./M.B.A. program. Professors here are "fantastic.
Most write leading textbooks in their subject areas. Better still, they are highly accessible and willing to work as hard as students, and they passionately desire to help students grow as leaders." The program itself is "very rigorous, with high levels of interaction with students and a strong team atmosphere." Some students told us that the workload "sometimes seems impossible."
Students that considered Tuscaloosa also looked at University of Pittsburgh, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Virginia Tech and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Most write leading textbooks in their subject areas. Better still, they are highly accessible and willing to work as hard as students, and they passionately desire to help students grow as leaders." The program itself is "very rigorous, with high levels of interaction with students and a strong team atmosphere." Some students told us that the workload "sometimes seems impossible."
Students that considered Tuscaloosa also looked at University of Pittsburgh, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Virginia Tech and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
10. Claremont Graduate University (Claremont, Calif.)
Students at Drucker are required to complete 32 credits of core courses, comprising slightly more than half of the 60 required for the M.B.A. That core includes classes in marketing, finance and operations, as well as advanced study in strategy, and a course in morality and leadership.
Students may continue with a general business orientation, select a concentration from Drucker's offerings (in strategy, finance, leadership. marketing and global business), or choose from topics in the university's other graduate schools and obtain dual majors in fields such as biosciences and cultural management.
Students that considered Claremont also looked at Pepperdine University, University of California-Irvine, University of California-Los Angeles and University of Southern California.
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Students may continue with a general business orientation, select a concentration from Drucker's offerings (in strategy, finance, leadership. marketing and global business), or choose from topics in the university's other graduate schools and obtain dual majors in fields such as biosciences and cultural management.
Students that considered Claremont also looked at Pepperdine University, University of California-Irvine, University of California-Los Angeles and University of Southern California.