Study MBA in International Business

There is no doubt that the modern economy is globalized. With companies having influence in multiple nations and on different continents, the demand for qualified MBA workers with an understanding of international business is extremely high.

But, many people who wish to get an MBA are already working full-time. This can make getting a graduate education difficult—unless you get your degree online. Fortunately, you have many choices regarding online MBA programs in international business.

This guide offers insights into some of the popular online programs worth your consideration. Each program is discussed in detail so you can compare and contrast them and choose the best one to fit your specific needs. Use the information provided below to kickstart your journey to becoming an MBA graduate!

NO GMAT Online MBA in International Business - Best Accredited Easy Low GPA MBA in International Business

Online NO GMAT MBA in International Business

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online MBA in International Business programs without the requirement of GMAT:

  • Louisiana State University-Shreveport
  • Pittsburg State University
  • University of Miami
  • University of North Carolina-Wilmington
  • Purdue Global
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • University of Mount Saint Vincent

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Online Master of Business Administration in International Business

The online Master of Business Administration in International Business from LSU-Shreveport is a 30-credit accelerated program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This accreditation is important because it means the curriculum aligns with modern industry standards. In fact, some MBA-level positions require you to graduate from an AACSB-accredited program.

Another advantage of LSU-Shreveport’s program is that you can complete it in as few as 10 months. The curriculum and course schedule are both flexible and responsive to the needs of working professionals. And with a GMAT waiver available, you can apply without taking any standardized tests.

The curriculum includes 10 classes, seven of which are core MBA courses. You will begin by taking classes like Managerial Use of Accounting Data, which introduces sources of accounting information you can use in a managerial position. What’s more, you will learn how to use the accounting information you create to improve the decision-making process at the organizational level.

Next, you will take Economic Analysis for Management. This course builds on the accounting class discussed above by exploring modern economic theory. You will learn about essential accounting tools you can use to manage the finances of an organization. You will also examine factors like cost, production, firm revenue, and hiring decisions, as well as how economic data impacts decision-making in each of those areas.

Yet another finance-related class is required: Financial Management. This class involves the study of advanced financial knowledge related to interest rates, investment values, capital budgeting, and more. You will learn about the roles and responsibilities of financial managers, the relationship between capital and return on investment, and the cost of equity, to name just a few key concepts.

The remaining core MBA classes revolve around the following subjects:

  • Management Information Systems
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Organizational Strategy and Policies
  • Marketing Strategy

The remaining three courses needed to complete this degree all focus on specific topics in international business. You must take three of the following four classes: International Accounting, International Business, International Marketing, and International Experience.

International Accounting examines issues that are unique to conducting business on an international scale. You will discuss International Financial Reporting Standards and U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, too. Likewise, topics such as cross-border taxation, currency translation, and international auditing are discussed.

Meanwhile, the International Business course explores broad-based concepts. For example, you will study the possible impacts associated with a company expanding into multiple international markets. You will also be able to study the factors involved in multinational companies expanding into hyper-local markets.

A third option for completing your international business concentration is International Marketing. This course analyzes various theories of marketing and their application in regional, international, and global settings. You will discuss topics like cultural influences on marketing, environmental factors in marketing, and how to implement multinational marketing campaigns.

You can also choose to participate in an International Experience to fulfill part of the concentration requirement. This course places you in an international setting where you will have supervised, hands-on opportunities to learn how to apply business principles. Not only will you acquire an appreciation of how business is conducted abroad, but you will also make important networking connections with business leaders.

You must meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  • Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher in your last 60 credits of undergraduate work. You might be considered for admission with a lower GPA if you have an appropriate combination of work experience and standardized test scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.

Pittsburg State University

Online Master of Business Administration in International Business

Pittsburg State’s Master of Business Administration in International Business is preparatory for management-level roles in businesses of all kinds around the world. And since this is an online program, you can get the training necessary for management positions from the comfort of your own home.

Throughout this 30-credit program, you will acquire the essential skills required to be a leader in international business. From management skills to analytical skills to developing an understanding of finance, you will emerge from this program with the credentials you need to make your career goals a reality.

This program’s curriculum is divided into two parts: Core coursework and emphasis courses. The core coursework explores broad MBA subjects like Management Control Systems and  Quantitative Business Analysis. But these are just two of the courses you need to take to complete the core sequence for this degree.

For example, you are also required to take Leadership and Behavioral Management. This class offers a detailed look at organizational design and the relationships between individual employees, groups of employees, and the organization as a whole. In particular, you will study human resources management, motivation factors, and organizational behavior as a means of becoming a high-quality management candidate.

You will also take a Strategic Management course that enhances your decision-making skills even further. You will acquire these skills in the context of case methods and simulations that teach you how to think and act strategically while also allowing you to apply what you’ve learned to solve essential business problems.

Other core MBA courses you will complete in this program include the following:

  • Business, Government, and Society
  • Financial Strategy
  • Marketing Strategy

Once you complete the core coursework outlined above, you will move on to complete the international business emphasis courses. This portion of the curriculum begins with a Seminar in Economics that focuses specifically on international trade. This class also examines issues related to international finance and helps you develop appropriate reading and research skills for studying economics.

Next, the International Business class explores key topics like foreign markets, international economics, and international business development. You will also examine cross-border relationships to learn how factors like laws, culture, and geography impact a company’s ability to conduct business internationally. This class further discusses global economic trends, politics, and social forces that affect the operation of international businesses.

Finally, you are required to take Topics in International Business. This course examines current and historical topics that deeply affect international business operations. For example, you might study how political unrest in one part of the world might disrupt a business’ operations on the other side of the globe. Likewise, you might explore how the economic policies of a country’s leader influence the expansion or contraction of multinational businesses around the world.

The application requirements are outlined below:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit a resume.

You may also be considered for admission if you have substantial experience working in a full-time managerial position.

University of Miami

Online Master of Business Administration

The AACSB-accredited Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami uses the robust economic setting of South Florida to prepare you to work in global settings, all from the comfort of your home. Like other online MBAs, Miami’s affords you the flexibility you need to work toward your degree without negatively impacting your current career.

In fact, this MBA program offers an accelerated track to help you complete your degree faster. You can waive up to seven MBA credits if you already have a business degree, which translates into reducing the time needed to graduate by a full semester. Whether you complete the traditional or accelerated online degree, you will enjoy a curriculum with a global focus that readies you to lead businesses and organizations here at home and abroad.

The curriculum includes both required and elective classes. The required portion of your studies begins with Financial Reporting and Analysis, which discusses how accounting information is used to determine the health and performance of a business or organization. You will learn how to create financial statements, interpret financial data, and use financial information to improve the functioning of the organization.

You will take a Responsible Business class, too. This course explores laws and regulations that impact managerial decision-making. You investigate topics like compliance issues, torts, and criminal laws while also discussing crucial ethical considerations for practicing international business.

Another key component of your training is a Management Science Models for Decision-Making class. This course helps you understand the tools at your disposal for analyzing business systems and improving those systems. You will look at integer and linear programming models, decision analyses, and simulations, too.

Other required coursework you will complete in this program includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • The Financial Environment
  • Leading With Introspection
  • Marketing Research and Decision-Making
  • Strategic Marketing
  • Firms, Institutions, and Stakeholders

Applied Career Experience Projects is an interesting class that provides you with hands-on learning experiences that are crucial for your development as a managerial-level worker. You will be placed in real-world situations in which you will work with a team of other students to provide consultation services to a business or organization. This experience lasts 7-14 weeks and concludes when you provide a folio of actionable steps your client can take to improve their organization’s functioning.

The remaining eight credits needed to graduate come from elective classes of your choice. You can choose any relevant courses to act as electives (with departmental approval). For example, you might take classes in human resources, marketing, leadership, or finance, to name a few possibilities.

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission to this program:

  • Have an undergraduate degree or higher from an accredited institution.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Have at least two years of professional experience.
  • Submit a current resume.
  • Provide two letters of recommendation from professional references.
  • GMAT scores are not required, but you can submit them to support your case for admission if you like.

University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Online Master of Business Administration in International Business

UNC-Wilmington’s Master of Business Administration in International Business is an AACSB-accredited program that is on the cutting edge of business trends around the world. By completing this program, you will have the business acumen, leadership abilities, and cultural awareness to make a positive impact in international business settings.

At 36 credits, this program requires more coursework than most MBAs in this field. However, you can still complete the curriculum in just 12 months, making this program a viable option if you want to finish your studies quickly.

While in this program, you will focus primarily on the following broad concepts:

  • Developing practical solutions for managing human capital in an international setting.
  • Creating competitive advantages for businesses and organizations in their home markets and abroad.
  • Evaluating human resources theories and models.
  • Managing multinational organizations.

With the broad set of skills outlined above, you can pursue any number of careers, from Supply Chain Manager to Product Manager, to Management Analyst. In some cases, you might even be able to work at executive levels in positions like Account Vice President.

This program includes both core MBA courses and international business-focused classes. The core sequence starts with basic studies of Business Law, Accounting, and Business Analytics. You will also take an Information Analysis and Management class that examines current information technology practices. You will study how information systems are developed, implemented, and managed. You will also acquire an understanding of how to use information technology and information systems to improve an organization’s operations.

Speaking of operations, you are also required to take an Operations Management class. This course analyzes the essential theories and techniques of managing a business operation. For example, you will discuss the value of product design, short-term goal-setting, and project management. You will also explore inventory management, scheduling, and capacity planning.

Additional coursework is required in the following areas:

  • Management
  • Strategic Management
  • Marketing
  • Corporate Finance
  • Economics

Three international business classes are required for this degree. First, you will take International Human Resource Management, which discusses the strategies you can use to manage human capital on an international scale. You will study real-world case studies of different human resource management techniques and critically evaluate them for success.

After that class, Global Strategy and Management is next on the list. This course prepares you to manage international organizations by studying the frameworks and concepts of strategic management. You will learn how to help organizations achieve competitive advantages, diagnose key business problems, and devise appropriate global strategies for growth as well.

The final international business class you will take is Strategic Global Marketing and Branding. Your task in this course is to investigate marketing issues at an advanced level. More specifically, you will evaluate how environmental variables affect marketing plans and how to use analytics to address key issues in marketing.

The following criteria must be met to apply:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide two recommendations—at least one of which must be from an employer.
  • Provide a resume and cover letter.
  • The GMAT is not currently required, but you can submit your scores if you wish.

Related Reading