An integral part of the Darden case method approach is student involvement in learning teams. At the beginning of the program, you will be assigned to a cross-functional team of five to six peer managers. Learning teams ensure that everyone is prepared to get the most out of class discussions and contribute to a more thorough understanding of the course material than if you were working individually.

Executive MBA learning teams are put together based on two things, allowing for the greatest contribution to one another’s learning:

•  The diversity of a student’s function
•  The diversity of companies

Teams meet initially during the first leadership residency (August) and remain together until the second leadership residency (March of the following year) when they are reshuffled.

Students report that their teams typically meet virtually two to three times each week and nightly during on-Grounds residencies. Frequency and timing of learning team meetings are up to the team and are not mandated by the program.

Executive MBA Learning Team Videos

Peter Vanderloo, EMBA Class of 2012 alumnus and AOL's Assistant General Counsel, talks about the role of learning teams in Darden's Executive MBA program: 

Navdeep Martin, EMBA Class of 2013, talks about learning teams and how Darden cultivates a community of collaboration: