Coursework to Expect for an International MBA Degree

A student who chooses to earn an international MBA degree is generally looking for a graduate level of understanding, research, and analytical study regarding global issues. An employer may look favorably on this degree, viewing it as a commitment to the global economy on the part of a prospective member of his staff. Coursework for an international MBA degree will vary from one program to the next, depending upon the concentration. The following program overviews will give you an idea of the coursework you might encounter in an international MBA degree program.

Thunderbird School of Global Management

The coursework in Thunderbird's MBA degree in Global Management can last anywhere from one year to twenty months, depending on the format chosen and the inclusion of an internship, according to Tom Brennan, Director of Recruitment. Typical required courses all have a global focus and cover finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. Unique courses include global negotiations, regional political environment, and country risk management. All students must be proficient in a second language in order to graduate. There is hands-on training where students work on actual consulting projects in developing countries. Brennan says Thunderbird students go all over-Rwanda, Vietnam, Peru, and Albania, to name a few.

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Students at the Booth School of Business spend time abroad and develop intercultural management skills. They build cultural and linguistic fluency. Students must complete 5 international business courses, study abroad for one academic term through their International Business Exchange Program, and demonstrate oral proficiency in one non-native language.

Indiana University Kelley School of Business

Courses in the International MBA degree program at the Kelley School include the following:

International Perspective Field Course Study: general knowledge of a country and specific knowledge of a business issue within that country.

International Business Environments: basic principles of how the world economy functions and how it may impact international business managers.

International Competitive Strategy: interplay between multi-national corporations, countries in which they do business, and the competitive environments in which they operate.

International Financial Markets: overview of the financial environment that global-operating companies and investors currently face.

International Monetary Systems and Hedging: global monetary and financial phenomena.

Global Marketing Management: realities of global market competition, strategy concepts, multinational marketing strategy problems, and regional market analysis.

Kogood School of Business

One of Kogood's nine concentrations in the MBA program is Global Emerging Markets. This concentration allows students the flexibility to tailor coursework in order to pursue career interests in multinational enterprises, governments, and non-governmental organizations. Kogood offers opportunities to study abroad, as overseas experience is increasingly viewed as a core part of any business education. They also provide graduate students with courses that address a variety of international business issues, such as "Peace through Commerce" where students examine the role of entrepreneurship in economic development, stabilization and peace. As a practicum, students assist entrepreneurs--located in conflict zones--in the development of business plans and grant proposals. Practicum work is augmented by related readings, case studies, and seminar discussions.

American Public University

The MBA in global business management at APU requires 39 credits. There are 27 hours of core requirements, including classes such as global management perspective, legal and ethical issues in management, and marketing management. There are 9 required concentration area requirements including global economics, international finance, and cross-cultural management. The program is rounded out with 3 hours of graduate electives.

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