The Best International Business Master's Degree Programs

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.

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

The Stern School of Business at New York University offers a variety of comprehensive Master's degrees relevant to International Business.

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

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

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).

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

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

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 date: May

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

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 date: August

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

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
• 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

Learning enrollment options: Full time

Program length: Two years

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