About The Mini

Our mini-semester system - now copied by most other top business schools - splits the typical semester in half, creating four mini-semesters per academic year. Each mini-semester is 7.5 weeks long, and students typically take 4 - 5 different courses each mini-semester. This structure enables students to gain exposure to a wide range of topics, as well as many unique courses, as students may take more than 32 different courses while in the MBA program, only half of which are required core courses.

The mini gets students off the blocks very quickly, and this approach quickens the pace of discovery that allows students to hit the ground running. It’s one reason our students perform so well during their internships…thus far in their MBA experience, Tepper MBAs generally have more exposure to management theory and application. Many MBAs return from their internships with job offers for the following spring.

What makes this rigorous structure so effective? Our small class size ensures that the school’s practice of integrating teamwork throughout the MBA experience becomes a necessary exchange of ideas and learning. We believe everybody brings something to the table. The diversity of professional backgrounds and experiences combined with high expectations of academic performance ensure each student is prepared to capitalize on leadership opportunities they will find throughout their careers.