The University of Virginia Darden School of Business is known for producing outstanding business leaders, our global network and the case method. Current students, faculty and alumni often describe the case method learning style as profoundly beneficial to their academic experience at Darden and afterwards in real-world applications.
Rather than the lecture-based classroom format that many students experienced during their undergraduate education, the case method is a cooperative, discussion-based learning experience.
“Research in education shows that students trained in the case method perform just as well as lecture-trained students on fact-based tests. But when it comes to applying knowledge in unstructured, real-world situations, students trained by the case method have a clear advantage.”
What is the Case Method?
The case method immerses MBA students in real-world business challenges that require analysis and collaboration.
Preparation begins in their Learning Teams — small groups of students from across sections that meet in the evenings to examine upcoming cases. These discussions expose students to different viewpoints, sharpen their thinking and help them develop well-structured approaches before class.
In the classroom, faculty may open with a prompt or “cold call” a student to begin the discussion. From there, students debate, defend their ideas and refine their thinking to arrive at a solution.
With a cohort drawn from both traditional business disciplines and non-traditional fields, discussions are dynamic and intellectually rigorous, mirroring the complexity of today’s business landscape.
Darden alumna Sukari G. Gaylor (MBA ’23) shares her experience with case method learning: “What it taught me was one, not immediately judge someone by the first thing that comes out of what they’re saying in terms of their statement, but to give it a second to land and take in the fullness of what they’re trying to get to. So it gave me a sense of grace for others as they are also trying to work out their feelings and thoughts, which they helped me inform my response to something.”
Why You Need the Case Method
Imagine walking into your first post-MBA role with confidence of a leader who has worked through hundreds of complex business cases over 21 months. You have been cold called countless times, made difficult decisions with incomplete information and navigated misunderstandings and disagreements with your peers. You’re ready for this!
That’s the power of the case method.
It equips you to…
- Think, decide and communicate like a leader
- Strengthen intentional decision-making skills
- Sharpen social and teamwork skills
- Build self-awareness
- Develop comfort with ambiguity
Lauren Powlovich (MBA ’23) says, “The discussion-based classwork allowed me to become a more independent thinker, and that translated into confidence in the workplace because I feel like I can work through complex problems and trust my judgement in those situations.”
At Darden, the case method allows you to practice leadership every day. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the confidence, judgment and adaptability to step into your next role prepared to make an immediate impact.
