The Most Popular MBA Courses

“My favorite course was Leading Across Differences, taught by Professor Sora Jun. As a leader, one of the greatest challenges is building high-performing teams that generate the best solutions, which often comes down to a person’s ability to foster psychological safety and create an environment where innovation thrives, different perspectives are valued, and people feel empowered to contribute fully. This course reinforced that inclusive leadership isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s smart business. When individuals feel heard and respected, teams become stronger, more innovative, and better equipped to tackle complex problems. Through Professor Jun’s course, we explored how people recognize, respond to, and navigate intergroup dynamics, providing me with invaluable insights that I will carry into my career.

This course deepened my understanding of what it truly means to lead inclusively and effectively, a lesson that will shape how I build and lead teams in the future. I enjoyed these discussions so much that I later became the teaching assistant for the course, supporting MBA cohorts across all programs. In this role, I facilitated conversations that challenged others to think critically about leadership in diverse teams, helping them explore how different backgrounds and experiences shape decision-making and collaboration.”
Angelica Janette Amaya Zendejas, Rice University (Jones)

“Hands down, Analysis of Markets with Ty Henderson. Taking this course alongside the core marketing curriculum unlocked my passion for data-driven brand management and the quantitative side of marketing. I’ll never forget the homework assignment analyzing paper towel sales—thinking, ‘If I can get this excited about paper towels, there’s something here worth exploring.’ That realization solidified my interest in the strategic and analytical aspects of marketing, shaping my approach to internships moving forward.”
Matthew Genovese, University of Texas (McCombs)

“Financial Accounting with Dr. Jerry Strawser was the most effective course in both my mechanical engineering undergraduate and MBA program. Dr. Strawser utilized a unique approach to keep the class engaged and truly interested in his accounting course. We started each class with a song related to that day’s accounting topic, along with a showcase of his accounting-themed cufflinks. Also, Dr. Strawser’s ability to update his lectures to incorporate current events into his teaching was impressive, and I left his course feeling confident talking accounting with my family of CPAs.”
Jordan Work, Texas A&M (Mays)

“The Leadership Development Lab (LDL) at Rotman focuses on delivering experiential and facilitative guidance to students to find their distinct leadership strengths and styles. In my second year, I took an elective called the LDL Retreat, offered by Prof. Scott Rutherford through this lab. This has by far been the most unique, illuminating, and impactful course that I took at Rotman.

The course was set in the serene backdrop of a quiet and beautiful resort, an hour away from the bustling noise of city life on a snowy weekend and was structured to detach students from the stress of school deliverables, electronic devices, and tight schedules in the spirit of facilitating meaningful and engaging conversations. The two-day course involved a series of deep and open reflections into the root causes of the irrational fears that hold us back as leaders and it helped us find their own distinct ways of quashing them. What moved me the most about this course was its unique ability to deliver a personalized learning experience to each student and its focus on finding and strengthening one’s individual leadership style.”
Sanchaita Kohli, University of Toronto (Rotman)

“My favorite course during the MBA was PRIME, the required global strategy course at Marshall. It was one of the reasons I chose this program – it reflects Marshall’s strong emphasis on global business. As part of the course, I had the opportunity to work on a consulting project for an arts company in Seoul, South Korea. It was an incredible experience that exposed me to how business is conducted not just in a different country, but also in a completely new industry. The combination of cultural immersion and strategic problem-solving made it truly unforgettable.”
Patrick Li, USC (Marshall)

“I loved Founders’ Dilemma, an elective that explores the full life cycle of a startup—from initial conception to exit. The case studies we covered were both fascinating and diverse. For example, one session focused on a startup founded by a husband-and-wife team who later divorced. That discussion led us to ask: When is it a good idea to start a company with family? What potential pitfalls exist, and can the risks be mitigated enough to make it worthwhile venture?

What I appreciated most was how practical the course felt. It didn’t just teach theory—it pushed us to think deeply about the real-world implications of entrepreneurial decisions.”
Alice Zhou, USC (Marshall)

“I loved the Minds and Machines elective taught by Professor Roshni Raveendhran. It deepened my understanding of AI’s potential to enhance personal and professional growth in alignment with core values. Key takeaways from the course included the importance of using AI as a tool to augment human intelligence, not replace it, and the value of AI as a conversation partner for thoughtful decision-making. I learned how AI can streamline tasks, increase productivity, and improve team dynamics, while also emphasizing the need for human-centered leadership in utilizing AI. Ethical considerations, particularly the amplification of biases in AI systems, were a critical focus, reinforcing my commitment to advocating for responsible, inclusive, and equitable AI use. Ultimately, the course reinforced my desire to leverage AI for innovation and societal good, especially in fields like education, healthcare, and journalism, while ensuring its integration fosters creativity, collaboration, and ethical business practices.”
Amanda Golden, University of Virginia (Darden)

“My favorite MBA course was Paths to Power, taught by Peter Belmi, because it provided deep insights into the type of business leader I want to become. The course placed us in high-intensity situations where we had to make quick decisions, often without fully knowing the consequences. It highlighted the impact of both action and inaction, shaping my awareness of power dynamics in professional settings. Since taking this course, I have become more intentional in recognizing influence, anticipating challenges, and navigating leadership decisions with greater certainty.”
Jill Howland, University of Virginia (Darden)

“Darden has this amazing program for which we receive course credit called the Darden Prison Reentry Education Program (PREP) in collaboration with Resilience Education. Here, MBA students, including myself, would volunteer to teach business school college courses at select correctional facilities in the state of Virginia. Being able to share some of the knowledge I have gained while at Darden to incarcerated students who are looking to use this opportunity to re-establish themselves in the near future post release has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Darden.”
Luis Otero, University of Virginia (Darden)

“Business Ethics is my favorite MBA course at Darden because it challenges me to think beyond numbers and strategy — to consider the more profound implications of business decisions on people, society, and my values.

I remember one case discussion that particularly stood out. We debated a company’s decision to cut costs by outsourcing to a supplier with questionable labor practices. The financial logic was clear, but the ethical dilemma was more challenging. This course has pushed me to confront tough questions: Where do I draw the line between profitability and integrity? How do I balance ambition with my commitment to honesty?

It reinforced a core belief I’ve always held — business isn’t just about maximizing returns; it’s about making responsible choices that stand the test of time.”
Anuoluwapo Rogers, University of Virginia (Darden)

“My favorite course at Wharton has been Decision Making in the Leadership Chair, taught by William P. Lauder. Through direct engagement with top executives, the course has provided invaluable insights into leadership, resilience, and strategic decision-making. One of the most impactful conversations was with Bob Gamgort, Chairperson of Keurig Dr Pepper, who spoke about leading from a place of ‘being enough’—understanding what truly motivates you and distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy ambition. His perspective resonated deeply, especially in an environment like Wharton, where it’s easy to chase prestige over genuine alignment with long-term goals.

Ambition has driven many of my accomplishments, but recently, I’ve been reflecting on how to balance it with focus—paring down commitments to ensure they align with my priorities. Bob’s journey reinforced that success isn’t about chasing titles, but about mastering the work in front of you. He didn’t set out to be a CEO; he focused on being the best brand manager he could be, and that dedication led him to leadership. His story has helped me reframe my own approach, emphasizing depth over breadth in pursuit of meaningful impact.”
Aarati Cohly, Wharton School

“My favorite course as an MBA has been Renewable Energy Project Finance, taught as both an SOM and YSE course by Dan Gross (Director at Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund). Even with 160+ enrolled students, and conducted primarily online (in-person one week each month), this course has been among the most engaging, pragmatic, and interesting academic experiences I have had to date. For that, we owe Professor Gross a debt of gratitude for his commitment to teach us everything he can about the industry in a condensed curriculum. All the while, he got us excited about the potential of renewable energy to change the way our world operates.

I particularly appreciate the valuable and relevant skills we covered as part of our in-class lectures and assignments. This included reading actual project finance agreements, building detailed models to understand the underlying economics required to develop renewable energy, and rigorously assessing material risks and considerations behind investment decisions in this field. Professor Gross and his team of teaching fellows have been truly helpful and supportive in tackling challenging topics and exercises; the way this class is structured shows a great deal of intentionality and adaptability.

Regardless of where my professional journey takes me, this class has allowed me to build a solid foundation to leverage in any future project – and perhaps most excitingly, join a deep network of like-minded students, dedicated alumni, and active industry practitioners.”
Ioana Solomon, Yale School of Management

 

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