The William and Mary 21-month MBA exposes you to a wide array of complex, real-world business experiences. You will refine your business acumen over 21 months through first-year core and elective courses, Career Acceleration Modules (CAMs), a Field Consultancy project and our Leadership Advantage Program. This immersion in a real-time business environment arms you with extraordinary insight into today's business issues and a powerful skill set to lead organizations through future business challenges.
The First Year

Business Skills Workshops and Orientation
The first year begins with business skills workshops in accounting, economics, information technology, quantitative analysis and writing. Prior to your arrival, our faculty review your academic and professional backgrounds, as well as your performance on a series of self-assessment exercises, and match you with workshop topics that will facilitate your smooth transition to the MBA experience. Our MBA Orientation follows immediately and includes team-building activities while you learn our business school culture and expectations, as well as get to know the faculty, administrators and Executive Partners who will play a prominent role in your William and Mary MBA experience.
Student Teams
Before you arrive, William and Mary faculty and administrators review profiles of first-year students to create diverse teams of five to six students. We consider a variety of characteristics during the placement process, including gender, age, citizenship, academic background, professional experience, academic interest within the MBA and career goals. These teams enrich your learning experience and help to prepare you for leadership roles in the global business world.
Core Business Focus and Courses
The format of the first year of the MBA Program replicates the complexities of the business world where business challenges impact multiple functional areas. Organized into three modules, first-year courses are integrated and specific class schedules vary from week to week to maximize the integration of topics across academic disciplines. Classes, program activities, guest speakers and career services events occur at least five days per week. Classes typically meet in the mornings, while afternoons and evenings used for individual and team preparation as well as meetings with your Leadership Advantage coach and career search activities. Exposure to many business fields in the first year helps you refine your career focus in preparation for selecting your second-year Career Acceleration Modules.
A typical first-year day
| Mondays - Fridays |
8:00am - 9:20am |
First Class |
|
9:30am - 10:50am |
Second Class |
|
11:00am - 12:20pm |
Third Class |
|
12:20pm - 6:00pm |
Program/Group Events, personal time, individual study* |
|
7:00pm - 10:00pm |
Team Meetings/Club Meetings** |
| Ongoing |
|
Classes, Career Workshops, Speakers, Projects and Company Interactions |
Summer Internships
A critical part of your MBA experience is the summer internship between the first and second years. A comprehensive career management program offered by our MBA Career Services team will facilitate your search.
LEARN MORE about MBA Career Services and summer internships.
The Second Year
LEARN MORE about the second-year experience in the 21-month MBA program.