THE CORE MBA CURRICULUM: BREAKING DOWN THE
CONTENT OF AN MBA By Thom Atkinson
As the foundation blocks of all MBA curriculums, core modules also reflect the current essential learning for today’s business climate.
Over the century or so that MBA programs have existed, some modules of the core MBA curriculum have continued to define the differing programs available, while others have been introduced, or evolved to reflect modern management.
It’s a well-known concept, but one worth reiterating: no two MBA curricula are the same. The content of an MBA program differs from school to school.
While one institution’s offering might be the perfect fit for a particular applicant, it does not mean in any way that it’s similarly as suitable for another applicant, with variations arising from a school’s faculty, the geographical location, a program’s cohort, even the teaching mode for example.
Arguably one of the largest differentiators between MBA programs are the core modules that form the very basis of a program.
Of course, there will be a number of elective modules and optional learning programs on offer to enrolled students, but each program will have a core curriculum of MBA modules designed
to cover the essential knowledge and skills for graduates looking to succeed in today’s business climate.
“Core term courses include subjects like financial accounting, competitive strategy, corporate finance, managerial economics, entrepreneurship, investment analysis, marketing management, and operations management,” explains Varsha Ratnaparke, associate director at the Indian School of Business (ISB), which offers a two-year full time MBA program.
“Each of these modules is carefully put together to provide the fundamentals in order [to prepare] the student for the specializations which are offered in the second half of the program.”
The Core MBA Curriculum: Preparation Through Evolution
Like all highly rated business schools, the ISB regularly reviews the core MBA curriculum and the modules of its program in order to best educate the business leaders of tomorrow.
“The ISB does a comprehensive review of its curriculum once in every five years. We are now in the process of one such curriculum review, which will come into effect in due course,” says Ratnaparke.
During the program, the first four terms cover the core modules which are compulsory for all enrolled MBA students. Here, the student learns the fundamentals of management, which lays the foundation for advanced electives in later terms.
These core MBA modules are necessary for students to be able to achieve greater understanding of later,
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