MBA Core Curriculum Review
MBA Core Curriculum Review
Embedded Files
Background
Background
In 2024, Stern completed a review of our full-time MBA core curriculum. A committee led by then-MBA Academic Director Nate Pettit and composed of faculty from every department at Stern collected internal and external data, interviewed faculty and students, and benchmarked our MBA core against our competitors. Following the review, the committee issued a set of recommendations to be completed by Fall 2026. Overseeing the implementation process is current MBA Academic Director Alexi Savov.
The committee identified three areas for improvement: course standardization, updating content and technology, and increasing active learning. The purpose of this website is to help faculty develop and implement an active learning plan for their course.
Committee recommendations
Committee recommendations
Course standardization
Course standardization
Align objectives, concepts, and expectations across sections to ensure students experience consistency, fairness, and a cohesive curriculum.
Active learning
Active learning
Design class sessions that go beyond lectures, using simulations, cases, and exercises that require students to actively engage and apply ideas.
Updated content & technology
Updated content & technology
Update cases and tools to reflect current real-world applications and bring concepts to life.
Active learning
Active learning
What we learned from faculty
What we learned from faculty
Faculty expressed concern that students do not prioritize learning and are often absent from class. This makes the class experience worse for everyone and forces faculty to compromise on the material. Faculty worry that students let recruiting pressures detract from the long-term value of their education. They view online resources and study guides as a poor substitute for in-person learning.
What we learned from students
What we learned from students
Students asked that we deliver clear value in the classroom over and above readily-available outside resources. Students prioritize using in-person class time to actively engage with important ideas and with their peers. They appreciate when faculty bring content to life with updated cases and real-world examples, especially ones that connect to their prospective careers.
Committee recommendation
Committee recommendation
The learning environment has changed. Yet we still want our students to learn and our students still want to learn from us. To unlock the value we have to offer, we must adapt our teaching. Faculty are asked to design class sessions around active engagement through cases, simulations, and exercises that make being present in class necessary and rewarding.
Active learning in your course
Active learning in your course
The Learning Science Lab will work with core faculty to integrate active learning into their courses. Click below to learn more
Page updated
Report abuse