Business school is usually a two-year full-time program in which students can earn a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). Other variations of the MBA are a part-time MBA, which take can take 4-5 years to complete, the one year MBA, usually for undergraduate business majors only, and the Executive MBA (EMBA) for older professionals who wish to earn their MBA. Many universities worldwide and online offer the MBA degree.
In order to apply for an MBA, prospective students much take the GMAT standardized test; have a four-year degree; submit essays, letters of recommendation, a resume, and any other materials necessary. Most schools also require an on or off campus interview for applicants (today most interviews come only from the request of the business schools). In addition, a few schools recommend or require courses taken before matriculation (such as calculus, business statistics, and/or accounting); however, many schools have a “refresher” course offered to students held during orientation for those with little to no experience in a number of subjects. Orientation usually starts just before the academic year prior to the fall term.
The first year consists mainly of the core courses in business, such as: accounting, statistics, corporate finance, and management. Depending on the business school, this may last for the entire first year, or only the first term and then student may take their electives. Breaking those classes down further, some business schools on semester have “half course” classes that last only for half of the terms, so students may take more classes than if the courses were full term.
During the spring term the students start to look for internships over the summer for firms in the sectors for which the students want to work once they graduate.
With the exception of a few required courses for graduation, the second year almost entirely consists of electives. Students have a variety of majors and minor from which to choose. Some include finance, marketing, and management consulting, or more theme based such as social entrepreneurship.
During the time spent as business school, students spend a good amount of time networking with others in class, and out of class through speakers, conventions, and student organizations to meet new people in their industries. Many believe the people one meets during business school is as, if not more, important than the material learned inside the classroom.
