People pursuing MBA degrees normally take various subjects that are very challenging. These are on economics, marketing, accounting, finance, strategy, organizational behavior, operations management, international business, information technology management, supply chain management and government policy. During the first year, students are exposed to a wide range of courses. The specialization comes in during the second year. Internship is also done by full time students during the summer.

MBA programs that are recognized worldwide focus on strategic analysis, interdisciplinary skills, intellectual simulation and independent judgment. These areas of knowledge are deemed crucial in analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating different situations. Among the situations involved pertain to economics, environmental, issues on social and technological change, corporate governance, markets and customers, managing resources and operations, financing organizations, human resource management and development, developing information technologies for business and management application, development of business policies and strategies.

Many business schools offer the same core subjects. However, some vital differences may be pointed out between the courses. Schools vary in their focus on lectures, case studies, computer-based simulations and personal study. The electives may also vary especially for the specialized courses.

MBA programs do offer specialized courses in a number of areas. These include accounting, corporate strategy, decision sciences, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, general management, international business, organizational behavior, human resources and operations management. More specialized courses include Asian business, consulting, sport management, insurance or real estate. Not all business schools, however, provide specialized studies. Programs that do not offer specialized courses put emphasis on finance or strategic management during the second year.

As to the two types of full time MBA programs, the curriculum in the one-year program does not normally overlap that of the undergraduate business. It focuses on the main or core business course requirements. Some business schools, however, prefer a work experience from two to five years instead of the traditional core MBA study courses offered during the first year. In the classic two-year program, the core business courses are taken up during the first year while the electives and specialized courses are required in the second year.