Many MBA students have little knowledge about business-related topics, but have business-related experience. The individual core courses are therefore structured around this type of student. First-year compulsory credits are therefore likely to include courses in Finance, Economics, Marketing, Accounting, Organizational Behavior, and Leadership. The Harvard MBA curriculum includes Technology and Operations Management (TOM). Although these courses will cater to those with little background knowledge of the subjects, they are often intensive and fast-paced.
Most of the elective courses are taken toward the end of the MBA degree and will be structured around the student's primary interests. They will use the material learned in compulsory courses and expand upon them in greater detail. Areas such as Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, Corporate Finance, Risk Management, Health Care Management, Strategic Management, Real Estate, Business Ethics and Statistics are typical options. Often elective courses will be focused in one area in order to give the overall MBA a high degree of specialization.
The Executive MBA (EMBA) is a fast-paced version of the MBA that is targeted toward those that already have extensive business and management experience. They are often funded by the student's employer. Online MBAs are geared toward working parents or for those who desire a part-time, yet accelerated, program. One-year MBAs are geared toward those who already have a sound academic knowledge of business or finance, but require the extra management skills.
The amount of work experience required for admission varies from school to school. Most MBA programs require the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), which assesses the mathematical and English language abilities of the entrant. The Graduate Record of Examination (GRE) is sometimes accepted as a substitute. Personal interviews are not uncommon.