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The Best International Business Master's Degree Programs

The Best International Business Master's Degrees
The Best International Business Master's Degree Programs
Rank School Location
1 Stanford University Stanford, CA
2 New York University New York, NY
3 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
4 Columbia University In The City Of New York New York, NY
5 Yale University New Haven, Connecticut
6 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD

This is a ranking of the best master's degrees in International Business in the U.S. This ranking was formulated by our machine learning algorithm, which determines the best programs designed for students to make informed college and degree decisions.

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Business is increasingly global, and so the need for International Business degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degree levels is also increasing.

International Business is a specialized business degree that teaches the fundamentals of business with international considerations in particular. International Business degrees allow for employment possibilities in many different aspects of business, domestically in the U.S. and internationally.

See which degrees and selections of classes are offered in the school ranking below, to get a better understanding of how varied the International Business degree programs are between these degree-granting colleges. Find what subjects interest you.

A large part of the rise in international commerce is due to the internet and online transactions. It's made the world smaller.


Featured Master's Degrees

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The Best International Business Master's Degree Programs

Ranking Guidelines

The ranking was composed in part by looking at our sister site AcademicInfluence.com, which ranks schools by the influence that their faculty and alumni have had in the field of International Business. The additional criteria developed here that specified the ranking was variety of degrees and courses, awards, and academic reputation. Read more about our ranking here.

1.

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford's Graduate School of Business offers MBA, MSx, and PhD programs to highly motivated students. Non-degree and certificate programs are also available, including some online options for non-traditional students.

The comprehensive MBA program emphasizes a global context through the Global Experience requirement. Students spend part of their first Summer term working for a sponsoring organization and may tailor their projects towards their career goals. This Global Management Immersion Experience (GMIX) allows students to study the business environment and culture of a country new to each student. Global seminars, global study trips, and the Stanford-Tsinghua Exchange program are also available for students who wish to go deeper into global studies.

Selection of required courses:

  • Ethics in Management
  • Financial Accounting
  • Leadership Labs
  • Managerial Skills
  • Managing Groups and Teams
  • Optimization and Simulation Modeling
  • Organizational Behavior

Learning enrollment options: Full time

Program length: Two years

Start dates: Three application rounds per year. Students may apply only once per year.

Admissions and transfer credit information: Students must submit previous transcripts, GRE or GMAT scores, at least two letters of recommendation, and some personal information. Admissions provides essay questions for students to answer. Admissions does not require professional work experience, but does consider any that applicants have. Admissions may invite some students for interviews.

Accreditation: Stanford receives accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

2.

New York University

New York, NY

The Stern School of Business at New York University offers a variety of comprehensive Master's degrees in Business. Academic programs include undergraduate business studies, executive MBA programs, global Masters degrees, PhD studies, and more. Several online programs are also available for non-traditional students.

For highly experienced business professionals seeking a truly unique and global experience NYU Stern, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the HEC Paris School of Management jointly offer the TRIUM Global Executive MBA.

The advanced curriculum consists of six modules, each held on-site at different global locations including London, Paris, Shanghai, Silicon Valley and New York City. Students' progress in a diverse cohort model creating a global network of senior business partners and experienced faculty.

Credit requirements: Six onsite modules equaling 500 classroom hours.

Selection of required modules:

  • Business in the Global Political Economy
  • Technological Disruption and Entrepreneurship
  • Marketing, Leadership, and Advanced Strategy
  • Strategy and Finance for Global Executives
  • A Changing Asia in the Global Marketplace

Students complete the program with a Capstone Project which brings coursework to life in a potentially life-changing way. As part of a team you will choose a project category and develop a business idea from inception to launch, leveraging the resources of faculty, classmates and alumni connections.

In addition to the courses, there are co-curricular activities including guest speakers, company visits and cultural visits.

Learning enrollment options: Part time, executive model friendly

Program length: 18 months

Start dates: Fall

Admissions and transfer credit information: This highly competitive program requires students to have a minimum of 10 years professional work experience. Additionally, applicants must submit a CV or resume, written essays, letters of recommendation, and previous transcripts. Applicants with less than 15 years work experience must also submit GRE or GMAT scores.

Accreditation: New York University receives accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.

For experienced executives focused on global finance, NYU Stern and the HKUST Business School in Hong Kong jointly offer the Master of Science in Global Finance. The curriculum consists of seven modules, held across three world financial centers - New York, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Students complete a comprehensive and in-depth curriculum in global finance and cover the latest trends such as FinTech and Behavioral Finance.

Credit requirements: Seven modules covering 40 total class days including 12 days on weekends.

Selection of required modules:

  • Global Macro and Asian Markets
  • Financial Markets and Corporate Finance in China
  • Asset Allocation
  • Derivatives Markets
  • Fixed Income Instruments and Markets
  • Applied Corporate Finance and Valuation
  • Risk Management in Financial Institutions

Students complete the program with an Integrative Project on real-life finance topics

Learning enrollment options: Part time

Program length: One year

Start dates: November

Admissions and transfer credit information: This highly competitive program requires students to have a minimum of 5 years of post-degree professional work experience and a bachelor's degree with strong GPA. A satisfactory TOEFL/IELTS-score report is required for applicants whose first language is not English, and whose bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification was awarded by a school where the language was not English. Additionally, applicants must submit a CV or resume, written essays, letters of recommendation, and previous transcripts.

Accreditation: New York University receives accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. HKUST Business School receives accreditations from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

NYU Stern offers the Master of Science in Risk Management. The program cuts across the classic "foundational" enterprise risk domains including macroeconomic and financial risk, operational risk, organizational risk, technological risk, and regulatory and legal risk. It also addresses topics at the frontier of risk management, those that are still being defined and calibrated, including data, privacy, and ethics; climate change and sustainability risk; human capital risk; and reputational risk. The program consists of six modules, four in New York City and two in Europe and Asia.

Credit requirements: Six modules covering approximately five weeks. Students accomplish an average of 15-20 hours of work for each week, by way of distance learning, in between the modules.

Selection of required modules:

  • Risk Fundamentals
  • Macroeconomic and Financial Risk
  • Technology Risk
  • Regulatory and Legal Risk
  • Organizational Risk

Students complete the program with a Strategic Risk Capstone Project

Learning enrollment options: Part time

Program length: One year

Start dates: May

Admissions and transfer credit information: This highly competitive program requires students to have a minimum of five years of professional vocation experience. Additionally, applicants must submit a Curriculum Vitae or resume, written essays, letters of recommendation, and previous transcripts.

3.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

The Ross School of Business comprises undergraduate, graduate, and international study. The curriculum emphasized action-based learning and innovative thinking to advance the business field.

There are several opportunities for international study through the Ross School of Business. However, the Ross Global Master of Business Administration program is unique in its specific target of sponsored students from across the globe. Students start with a month immersion session in Korea and Japan. After which, students will travel internationally to Silicon Valley and finally to Ann Arbor, Michigan. In addition to the global corporate networking experience, students also participate in several cultural excursions in each location. The curriculum of the program covers a broad-based management approach with plenty of hands-on experiences.

Credit requirements: Minimum of 57 credits

Selection of required courses:

  • Written Managerial Communications
  • Communication Management
  • Principles of Financial Accounting
  • Applied Microeconomics
  • Financial Management
  • Corporate Strategy
  • Human Behavior and Organization
  • Marketing Management

Students complete the program with a Multidisciplinary Action Projects course. This seven-week project allows students to use their cumulative experience to solve a critical business challenge.

Program length: 16 months

Start dates: February 2020

Admissions and transfer credit information: Applicants must submit a signed sponsorship agreement, a one-page resume, official transcripts equivalent to a US bachelors degree, GMAT or GRE scores, essay responses, and at least one letter of recommendation. Admission also requires applicants to participate in at least one interview.

Accreditation: The Ross School of Business receives accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

4.

Columbia University In The City Of New York

New York, NY

Columbia Business School offers the EMBA Global program in partnership with the London Business School and the University of Hong Kong. Students may select the Americas and Europe track or the Global Asia track. Students in the Americas and Europe track will not go to the University of Hong Kong for classes.

The program targets working professionals who are looking for an international edge with the support of their employers. Students participate in four or five-day residential class weeks at different international locations based on their track. The curriculum also requires students to participate in one or two international assignments or seminars in: Argentina, Chile, China, Dubai, Germany, Greece, South Africa, or the Russian Federation. Professors use English as the language of instruction.

Upon graduation, students receive an MBA degree from each school attended (Columbia, London Business School, and the University of Hong Kong).

Credit requirements: 12 core courses and 10 electives

Selection of required courses:

  • Executive Leadership
  • Financial Accounting
  • Leadership and Organizational Change
  • Decision Models
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Global Economic Environment

Program length: 20 months

Start dates: May

Admissions and transfer credit information: Students must submit previous transcripts, resume, essay and personal statements, and two letters of recommendation. Admissions accepts students with a minimum of five years relevant work experience. Admissions may also request an interview.

Accreditation: Columbia receives accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

5.

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

The Yale School of Management offers a variety of graduate level, joint degrees, and executive education programs. The ongoing mission of the School is to educate well-rounded, prepared leaders for business and society.

The Master of Management Studies in Global Business and Society degree targets leaders in the Management field seeking international experience. The program provides the knowledge base for global work in areas such as finance, technology, consulting, and consumer goods. Students are then able to customize their career path based on their interests. Upon graduation, students have access to the Yale alumni network which extends all over the world.

Students should note that this program is only open to those who have completed their MIM at a Global Network for Advanced Management school.

Credit requirements: 36 units

Selection of required courses:

Global Business and Society Perspectives
Global Leadership: Increasing Personal and Interpersonal Effectiveness

Students choose 14 units of Advanced Management courses such as:

  • Technology and Global Strategy
  • The Future of Global Finance
  • Managerial Controls
  • Business Ethics
  • Consumer Behavior

Learning enrollment options: Full time only

Program length: Nine months

Start dates: August

Admissions and transfer credit information: Interested applicants must submit previous transcripts, GRE or GMAT scores, at least one letter of recommendation, answers to two essay questions, and a series of video questions. Ideal applicants will also have a minimum of three months full-time work experience.

Accreditation: The Yale School of Management receives accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

6.

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

The Carey Business School offers comprehensive graduate level programs, dual degrees, executive education, and several certificate programs. Full time, part time, and online enrollment options are available.

The Global Master of Business Administration program inspires students to think with innovation, and insists that Business do more to improve society. The curriculum maintains a strong emphasis on the 'impact and accountability of business to society' in addition to business theory, ethical conduct, and entrepreneurship. Students progress in a cohort model which allows for deeper connections and extended networking opportunities. There are concentrations available in Entrepreneurship, Financial Business, Healthcare Management, Marketing, and Real Estate and Infrastructure.

Credit requirements: 54 credits

Selection of required courses:

  • Accounting Foundations
  • Business Analytics
  • Competitive Strategy
  • Corporate Finance
  • Experiences in Leadership
  • Financial Valuation
  • Innovation for Humanity*
  • Operations Management

*A three-week interactive and collaborative in-country residency experience.

Learning enrollment options: Full time

Program length: Two years

Admissions and transfer credit information: Students must submit a professional resume demonstrating at least two years relevant work experience, one letter of recommendation, answers to two essay questions, and GRE or GMAT scores. Admissions may request an interview.

Accreditation: The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School receives accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

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