3 answers
William
Student
Fairbury, Nebraska
1
Question
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What was the schooling like for your Master in Business Administration?
Can you tell me about the classes that you took and their difficulty and content?
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3 answers
Matt Mason
Consulting
1
Answer
Austin, Texas
Updated
Matt’s Answer
I attended the two-year, full-time MBA program at the University of Texas at Austin, Mccombs School of Business, class of 2021 (hook 'em).
My academic classes broke down into two main categories: core and elective classes. The first year primarily consisted of core classes, with a few electives in the second semester.
The second year consisted entirely of electives.
Core classes were mandatory for all students and designed to educate you on the basics of business. I personally double-majored
These classes were typically the most rigorous as the classes would cover about one full undergrad semester's worth of information in half the time. Core classes were as follows (class - topics):
1) Financial Accounting- financial statements, journal entries, 10-Ks, etc.
2) Financial Management- time value of money, NPV, basic financial models
3) Operations- .. honestly, dont remember much from this class.
4) Marketing- marketing frameworks (4Cs, 5Ps, etc.), marketing strategies
5) Managerial Accounting- budgeting, planning, actuals for business performance
6) Human Capital- understanding people management, analytics of HR
7) Statistics- hypothesis testing, probabilities, basic regressions
8) Microeconomics- basic pricing models, game theory, demand / supply curves
9) Macroeconomics- Aggregate demand / supply, GDP & components, current events
Elective classes are optional and each student gets to select their own.
Class topics vary across multiple areas, like finance, operations, marketing, etc. There were basically two types of ways students would choose classes.
First, they'd choose classes based on business areas of interest (like aspiring bankers choosing finance-related classes). Second (what I did) they'd choose classes based on professors, highly rated courses, or super easy / chill classes.
A few examples of classes that I took were:
A) Marketing fellows - a class where we heard real-life cases with marketing professionals and proposed recommendations each week
B) Financial Statement Analysis - class that works to break down the 10-K and teach students how to think critically about a company based only on public information, with an exceedingly good accounting professor, Patrick Bodolato.
C) Sustainability- case-based class that focuses on sustainable companies and practices with one of my favorite professors of all time, John Doggett.
D) Happiness class- talked about the framework for happiness in both life and work, how to maintain a healthy work life balance; the final project was to make a video that focused on humor
Hopefully this all helps. I would also add that when thinking about an MBA, especially full-time, academics are only a part of the experience. For most people, academics make up 1/3 or less of their time, with business recruiting, extra-curricular activities, and "networking" aka socializing and having fun :)
My academic classes broke down into two main categories: core and elective classes. The first year primarily consisted of core classes, with a few electives in the second semester.
The second year consisted entirely of electives.
Core classes were mandatory for all students and designed to educate you on the basics of business. I personally double-majored
These classes were typically the most rigorous as the classes would cover about one full undergrad semester's worth of information in half the time. Core classes were as follows (class - topics):
1) Financial Accounting- financial statements, journal entries, 10-Ks, etc.
2) Financial Management- time value of money, NPV, basic financial models
3) Operations- .. honestly, dont remember much from this class.
4) Marketing- marketing frameworks (4Cs, 5Ps, etc.), marketing strategies
5) Managerial Accounting- budgeting, planning, actuals for business performance
6) Human Capital- understanding people management, analytics of HR
7) Statistics- hypothesis testing, probabilities, basic regressions
8) Microeconomics- basic pricing models, game theory, demand / supply curves
9) Macroeconomics- Aggregate demand / supply, GDP & components, current events
Elective classes are optional and each student gets to select their own.
Class topics vary across multiple areas, like finance, operations, marketing, etc. There were basically two types of ways students would choose classes.
First, they'd choose classes based on business areas of interest (like aspiring bankers choosing finance-related classes). Second (what I did) they'd choose classes based on professors, highly rated courses, or super easy / chill classes.
A few examples of classes that I took were:
A) Marketing fellows - a class where we heard real-life cases with marketing professionals and proposed recommendations each week
B) Financial Statement Analysis - class that works to break down the 10-K and teach students how to think critically about a company based only on public information, with an exceedingly good accounting professor, Patrick Bodolato.
C) Sustainability- case-based class that focuses on sustainable companies and practices with one of my favorite professors of all time, John Doggett.
D) Happiness class- talked about the framework for happiness in both life and work, how to maintain a healthy work life balance; the final project was to make a video that focused on humor
Hopefully this all helps. I would also add that when thinking about an MBA, especially full-time, academics are only a part of the experience. For most people, academics make up 1/3 or less of their time, with business recruiting, extra-curricular activities, and "networking" aka socializing and having fun :)
sheila singh
marketing
4
Answers
Jersey City, New Jersey
Updated
sheila’s Answer
I graduated with an MBA from Rice University in 2022 (Go Owls!). We also were divided in 1st year core classes and 2nd year electives. 1st year core courses are EXTREMELY difficult. You have to very quickly learn finance, accounting, data analysis, marketing, etc. Not just learn them but be professionals in each because you never know what part (or all) will you need when you go into your job or manage a business. Expect to spend 8 hrs a day outside of the classroom on homework assignments. You will also need to sharpen your writing skills, your presentation skills but most importantly, you must be quantitatively inclined. You will be calculating all types of financial numbers, balance sheets, complex accounting and complex data modeling. If numbers is not your thing, you will struggle dearly in the program. The program is extremely rewarding though but be prepared for all these things and you will do great! I have formed a life-long bond with my fellow MBA classmates and so will you.
Junnie Lai, MBA
Consultant Chef
61
Answers
Updated
Junnie’s Answer
Dear William, I graduated with an MBA from Southwest Minnesota State University. When I attending the program, I already working for about 3 to 4 years. I enjoyed all of my courses in the MBA program. They help me to understand in company's decision making, understand where and how I would like to grow my career path.
Here are some of the courses in the MBA program:
Accounting for Managers
Strategic Marketing Management
Management of Production and Operations
Legal and Ethical Environment of Management
Financial Analysis
International Business & Leadership
Managerial Economics
Strategic Management and Policy
I do encourage to pursue the MBA program with a few years of working experience, as you can apply and compare the information with theory.
It makes the learning much more fun.
Good luck.
Junnie
Here are some of the courses in the MBA program:
Accounting for Managers
Strategic Marketing Management
Management of Production and Operations
Legal and Ethical Environment of Management
Financial Analysis
International Business & Leadership
Managerial Economics
Strategic Management and Policy
I do encourage to pursue the MBA program with a few years of working experience, as you can apply and compare the information with theory.
It makes the learning much more fun.
Good luck.
Junnie