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3 US Business Schools Leading The Way In Ethics Training

The training of business ethics has become second-nature for some business schools

By  Anne Dolan

Mon Feb 19 2018

BusinessBecause
Top MBA programs in the US are stepping up their focus on business ethics. The next generation of business leaders will have ample opportunity to participate in ethical coursework, in which professors use case studies, simulations, and other exercises to explore how students navigate real-life scenarios informed by their perceptions of what is “right” and “wrong.” 

Corrupt leadership has been a hot button media topic this past year, from sexual assault allegations in industries across the board to characteristic tales of fraud and larceny. Meanwhile, US business schools hand out degrees to over 200,000 MBA students annually, according to a statistic by the National Center for Education Statistics. Schools don’t take their roles lightly; they recognize that MBA programs are the breeding ground for the future’s next international leaders and thus—for better or worse—direct contributors to a slew of high-powered, ultra-influential positions.

In 1987, Harvard responded to missteps on Wall Street by investing $20 million toward the introduction of ethical training into their coursework. Whether or not their efforts were successful has been the topic of much debate, but make no mistake—the importance of ethics training isn’t under scrutiny. Harvard’s investment marks a general trend toward corporate social responsibility (CSR). Increasingly, ethics courses have become a curriculum requirement.

For those looking for a cutting-edge MBA program with high marks in sustainability, the Aspen Institute’s Beyond Grey Pinstripes project publishes a “global ranking of leading business schools innovating social and environmental impact” in which data, provided by the schools themselves, is evaluated in terms of social and environmental impact.

The big winners from this list are the schools that have already been highly ranked as the top MBA programs in the country. These schools not only stay ahead of the curve, but on the crest of the ethics wave. We spoke with some of them about popular methods in ethics courses, student response, and the importance of ethics in the MBA journey.

Here's three US business schools leading the way in ethics training:


1) Yale School of Management 

At Yale School of Management, ethics training is not a required part of the curriculum, but there is an impressive infrastructure available for interested students. The Leader Distribution Requirement ensures that students enroll in at least one elective that “focuses on leadership in a particular industry or look at the major ethical and societal challenges that leaders must address.”

For Jason Dana, who teaches Ethics and Decision-Making at Yale School of Management, there need not be a separation between a successful career and adherence to personal values.

“Morality is not something you can hang on a hook like your coat when you show up to work; we cannot split our ‘good’ personal selves from our work identities. Further, for most of us, our primary impact on the world is done through our work.”

The emphasis here is guiding students to connect with their personal values when faced with an unexpected—and potentially dangerous—situation on the job. This consistency “contributes to the school’s mission of training […] students so that they will have the best impact on business and society that they can.”

Lecture, discussion, and case studies are all components of the course, which seems to hit home for participating students. One student reported that the course enabled them to approach decision making in “a rational and defensible way as opposed to acting on feelings or intuition which may mask biases toward or against certain actions or groups.”

yale-SoM


2) NYU Stern School of Business

In 2013, Michael Posner and Sarah Labowitz founded the Stern Center for Business and Human Rights. It is the first human rights center at a business school anywhere. Through classes, research, and projects on current business and human rights challenges, the center has set the tone for other programs to follow suit.

Michael, who currently serves as director of the center, hopes to better prepare students for the inevitable risks of business dealings in today’s global marketplace. “Our business and human rights courses and research opportunities explore how businesses can proactively address issues that may have an impact on the bottom line such as: the risks in global manufacturing supply chains, the exploitation of migrant workers or the dangers to leading Internet companies posed by harmful content online.”

nyu-stern


3) Stanford Graduate School of Business

MBA students at Stanford are required to take the Ethics in Management course and can also choose from several electives in ethics with snappy titles such as Dilemmas. Decisions. and Acting with Power.

A representative from Stanford explained that the Ethics in Management course “changes in a dynamic reflection of current headlines and market forces”, using “case studies, insights from experimental psychology and economics, and excerpts from or about major works of moral philosophy”. Through the coursework, the department aims to prevent “social and cognitive pitfalls that undermine the ability of business leaders to fulfill their ethical duties."

stanford-university-ethics

Student Reviews

New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business

Mercy

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31/10/2023

On Campus

What built my love for NYU

My involvement with NYU has been astonishing thanks to individuals there, yet I truly do figure they could improve in the area of offering understudies sage monetary guidance. I only have more inquiries in regards to my school consistently. I truly like how different and comprehensive my school is generally speaking. By and large, individuals are thoughtful, well disposed, and exceptionally splendid. I'm propelled to work harder by my incredible speakers and companions. Assets and encounters are unparalleled. In spite of the fact that it isn't a great fit for everybody, I love going to a major metropolitan school. The main things I need were that it was more affordable and farther away from my folks.

Skyler

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10/10/2023

On Campus

Experienced educators

NYU is known for its focus on providing students with hands-on experiences. They offer numerous opportunities for exploration. The classes are enjoyable, and the professors display genuine passion for both their subjects and their students. The professors at NYU are highly knowledgeable in their fields and are always available to lend a helping hand as long as you make the effort to approach them. Joining a research laboratory is highly encouraged and can provide you with priceless experience. The professors not only care for students but are also highly intelligent. They prioritize the success of their students in their future careers.

Calum

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6/09/2023

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Graduate Acting in a Nutshell

NYU's Graduate Acting program has consistently been recognized in the world's top 5 acting graduate programs for years. With an unprecedented pandemic commencing in my first year in the program, I experienced the type of innovation worthy of that world recognition. The ability to pivot entirely, yet maintain an extremely high level of education was truly profound. I consistently found myself being pushed in ways I wasn't aware I needed to be. The access to industry professionals for advice, guidance, and leadership means the transition after graduation is much less daunting than going it alone.

Russel

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22/08/2023

On Campus

Simply the best school

This school is truly outstanding. In essence, there is no other educational institution that can surpass its exceptional performance and unparalleled attention to detail. It not only boasts state-of-the-art equipment, but also houses exceptional professors who are available to guide and instruct students on their usage.

Gwen

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29/06/2023

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Quality curriculum

NYU is a wonderful school where you can really learn anything you want to know. New York College gives probably the best training inside a city climate. I can see NYU becoming a leader in the technology and infrastructure industries thanks to its rapidly expanding engineering school. I love the delightful way proficient the teachers are and how the educational plan is set up.

Christopher

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25/06/2023

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Amazing school environment

The campus of New York University is very diverse, has excellent programs, and the professors are nice. NYU's location is fantastic because it is close to Manhattan. There is so much to learn about and such a lively environment created by the city. Additionally, I believe that the urban location of the campus aids students in developing important life skills.

Student

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25/05/2023

On Campus

Transformative experience

The experience of going to New York University (NYU) has been transformational. An environment that is conducive to study is created by the lively campus and multicultural community. NYU provides a comprehensive education that goes beyond the classroom thanks to the access to limitless opportunities in the center of New York City. The student experience is further improved by the support services and extracurricular activities. I wholeheartedly endorse NYU as a fantastic university.

Pedro

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17/05/2023

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This programe was strong!

The studies we're great, I learned the ins & outs of modern history. The subjects taught were on point (biology, art, etc.) The staff was well trained and were very helpful and kind. Facilities were also on point. The pricing can be a bit expensive though, but it is worse in Massachusetts.

Jay

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21/04/2023

Blended

NYU's Undergrad Accounting

The Stern School of Business provides the undergraduate accounting program at New York University. Students are prepared for careers in accounting, finance, and related fields through this highly regarded program. In addition to a comprehensive business education, the program provides students with a solid foundation in accounting principles. The educational program remembers courses for monetary bookkeeping, administrative bookkeeping, tax collection, evaluating, and data frameworks. Economics, statistics, finance, and management are also required courses for students. Through internships and other experiential learning opportunities, students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in addition to the coursework. Additionally, the program has strong connections to leading accounting firms, which may offer students a route to employment opportunities after graduation. By and large, the undergrad bookkeeping program at New York College is a thorough and extensive program that can give understudies the abilities and information they need to prevail in the field of bookkeeping.

Student

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4/04/2024

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Journalism program

The best professors!!!! Really talented and experienced, full of knowledge and gave really a hands on education. We worked like a real newsroom, got assigned stories and were given the tools to go after them.

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