Pursuing an MBA in the USA offers access to some of the world’s most prestigious business schools.
Here I am giving few details these might be helpful.
Most full-time MBA programs in the USA typically last two years, though there are some accelerated one-year programs available. Part-time, executive, and online options often vary in length.
Here's a guide to the top MBA programs in the USA, typical duration, and the subjects offered at each university.
1. Harvard Business School (HBS)
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects (Year 1):
- Financial Reporting and Control
- Leadership and Organizational Behavior
- Marketing
- Strategy
- Finance I & II
- Business, Government, and the International Economy
- Operations Management
- Technology and Operations
Elective Subjects (Year 2):
- Advanced Strategy
- Venture Capital and Private Equity
- Corporate Finance
- Negotiation
- Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets
- Managing Digital Innovation
- Healthcare Strategy
2. Stanford Graduate School of Business
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Managerial Skills
- Financial Accounting
- Finance
- Strategic Leadership
- Microeconomics for Managers
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Organizational Behavior
- Data and Decisions (Business Analytics)
Elective Subjects:
- Entrepreneurship
- Social Innovation
- Global Management
- Real Estate Investment
- Private Equity
- Technology Strategy
- Venture Capital
3. Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Financial Accounting
- Marketing Management
- Corporate Finance
- Operations, Information and Decisions
- Microeconomics
- Business Ethics
- Legal Studies
Elective Subjects:
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Global Strategic Management
- Real Estate Development
- FinTech
- Data Analytics and Decision Making
- Healthcare Management
4. MIT Sloan School of Management
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Economic Analysis for Business Decisions
- Financial Accounting
- Data, Models, and Decisions
- Marketing Innovation
- Corporate Strategy
- Operations Management
- Leadership and Organizational Behavior
Elective Subjects:
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation
- Business Analytics
- Digital Business Strategy
- Finance and Investment
- Sustainability
- Technology Innovation
5. University of Chicago – Booth School of Business
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Accounting
- Microeconomics
- Statistics for Business
- Marketing Strategy
- Financial Markets
- Decision-Making
- Business Ethics
Elective Subjects:
- Behavioral Economics
- Investment Banking
- Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital
- Marketing Analytics
- Health Economics
- Risk Management
6. Columbia Business School
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Corporate Finance
- Business Analytics
- Managerial Economics
- Global Economic Environment
- Strategy Formulation
- Marketing
Elective Subjects:
- Private Equity and Venture Capital
- Digital Strategy
- Entrepreneurship
- Real Estate Investment
- Media and Technology
- Healthcare Management
7. Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Finance I and II
- Marketing
- Leadership in Organizations
- Operations Management
- Strategy
- Microeconomic Analysis
- Decision Making Under Uncertainty
Elective Subjects:
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Leadership and Crisis Management
- Innovation Strategy
- Healthcare Strategy
- Digital Marketing
- Behavioral Finance
8. New York University (NYU) – Stern School of Business
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Leadership and Organizations
- Marketing
- Corporate Finance
- Strategy
- Operations Management
- Economics
- Financial Accounting and Reporting
Elective Subjects:
- FinTech
- Luxury Marketing
- Real Estate Finance
- Global Business
- Social Impact and Sustainability
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation
9. University of California, Berkeley – Haas School of Business
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Data and Decisions
- Marketing Management
- Corporate Finance
- Macroeconomics in the Global Economy
- Strategic Leadership
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Accounting
Elective Subjects:
- Entrepreneurship
- Energy Markets and Innovation
- Real Estate Investment and Development
- Digital Transformation
- International Business
- Social Impact
10. Yale School of Management
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Problem Framing
- Data and Decision Analytics
- Behavioral Science for Management
- Financial Reporting
- Leadership and Organizational Management
- Global Economy
- Operations Engine
Elective Subjects:
- Impact Investing
- Healthcare Economics
- Venture Capital
- Innovation Strategy
- Global Economic Development
- Sustainability
11. Duke University – Fuqua School of Business
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Financial Reporting
- Global Markets and Institutions
- Leadership
- Decision Models
- Operations Management
- Corporate Finance
- Marketing Strategy
Elective Subjects:
- Healthcare Strategy
- Real Estate Investment
- Entrepreneurship
- FinTech
- Technology Management
- Global Marketing
12. University of Michigan – Ross School of Business
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Financial Accounting
- Operations Management
- Business Economics
- Strategy
- Marketing Management
- Corporate Finance
- Organizational Leadership
Elective Subjects:
- Business and Sustainability
- Healthcare Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Supply Chain Management
- Data Analytics
13. University of Virginia – Darden School of Business
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Financial Management
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Strategic Analysis
- Leadership Communication
- Accounting for Managers
- Business Ethics
Elective Subjects:
- Innovation and Technology Management
- Leadership Strategies
- Venture Capital
- Global Economies
- Sustainability and Social Enterprise
14. Cornell University – Johnson Graduate School of Management
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Strategy
- Finance
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Economics and Business Analytics
- Data-Driven Decision Making
Elective Subjects:
- FinTech
- Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital
- International Business
- Sustainable Business
- Healthcare and Pharma Management
15. UCLA Anderson School of Management
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Core Subjects:
- Financial Accounting
- Data Analysis
- Corporate Finance
- Marketing Strategy
- Strategy and Operations
- Organizational Behavior
- Managerial Economics
Elective Subjects:
- Digital Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare and Biotechnology
- Real Estate Finance
- Entertainment and Media Management
Common MBA Program Structure in the USA:
Core Courses: The first year of most MBA programs focuses on foundational business disciplines like:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Leadership
- Business Analytics
- Strategy
Electives and Specializations: In the second year, students customize their MBA with electives that align with their career goals, such as:
- Entrepreneurship
- Healthcare Management
- Technology Management
- Global Business
- Sustainability
- Innovation and Strategy
Experiential Learning: Many MBA programs in the USA include practical components such as consulting projects, internships, and global immersion programs that provide real-world experience.
Duration of MBA Programs
- Full-Time MBA: Typically lasts 2 years.
- Accelerated MBA: Some programs (e.g., Kellogg) offer 1-year options.
- Part-Time MBA: Usually 3-4 years, depending on the flexibility.
- Executive MBA (EMBA): Designed for working professionals, typically 18-24 months.