The two-year MBA program at Harvard Business School uses case studies and group discussions to teach business fundamentals. Students complete required courses such as finance, marketing, strategy and leadership as part of an assigned section of 90 fellow first-year students. The second year is spent taking elective courses in areas including accounting, management, negotiation and finance. There is no work experience requirement for prospective MBA students; Harvard Business School seeks applicants who are active in their communities, have gained leadership experience in school and are academically prepared for a rigorous course of business study.
There are some 60 executive education programs available at Harvard Business School. Executive education programs are workshops that are geared toward professionals with significant managerial or leadership experience; the specific years of experience required varies by program. Executives can select from topics such as financial management, marketing and social enterprise. Programs are held at Harvard Business School, as well as locations in Europe, India and China. Applicants must meet admission criteria of the specific program to which they intend to apply and must be nominated by their current employer.
Students interested in earning doctoral degrees in business can select from nine programs at Harvard Business School, including accounting, organizational behavior, strategy and business economics. All programs are full time and can be completed in four or five years. The doctoral degree programs at Harvard Business School are designed for individuals seeking careers in academia as teachers and researchers. Applicants need to have a working knowledge of statistics and economics, as well as be self-disciplined; prospective students submit recommendations, transcripts and a resume along with a personal statement.