Home > About > Strategic Iniatives > Experience-Based Learning
Experience-Based Learning
One of the defining characteristics of business education at Pitt Business is the importance we place on experience-based learning (EBL). Whereas many business schools only mention the importance of experiential learning, we attempt to integrate EBL across our curriculum.
To accomplish this, we use simulations, case competitions, and encourage students to become involved in one of our many Consulting Field Projects (that focuses a cross-disciplinary student team on a real organizational project) or to take on a consulting position (providing market research, business plan review, and financial plan development services to entrepreneurs in a number of different industries) with our Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. The culmination of the course is the McKinsey Cup Competition where students teams compete for the coveted McKinsey Cup Trophy.
Research shows that EBL is one of the most powerful teaching approaches because it requires students to apply the theories and knowledge discussed in the classroom to real-world situations. This approach produces the equivalent of a practice field where students drill and develop their skills.
We are proud to announce the opening of our newest EBL space-the financial analysis lab. The 3,000-square-foot lab features a trading room, tote display boards, and a ticker where students can become fully immersed in a realistic Wall Street trading room environment and gain financial trading skills and acumen. Students experience technologically supported classes using the dual high-definition video projectors, complete audio/visual system, and 58 student stations loaded with state-of-the-art tracking and simulation software.
More About Experience Based Learning at Pitt Business
- University of Pittsburgh's Berg Center Partners with UPMC for Global Sustainability Project in Italy
The Berg Center embarked with business and engineering students from the University of Pittsburgh on a global study trip to Palermo, Italy, in March. The purpose of the global project was to study energy consumption at UPMC's Instituto Mediterraneo per I Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione (ISMETT) facility compared to innovative approaches already in place in UPMC's facilities in western Pennsylvania. - Chevrolet Makes Six National Marketing Competition Wins for CBA Students
- Winners of the Fall 2010 McKinsey Cup Competition
The University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business once again held the McKinsey Cup Playoffs and Competition in Oakland earlier this month. The playoffs and competition are the conclusion of a course that merges traditional and experiential learning by pairing students with client organizations to work on real-world issues.
