MS in International Business

Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., where business and policy intersect, the GW School of Business (GWSB) affords students unmatched access to unique learning experiences and internship opportunities. Our city is home to approximately 180 resident embassies and organizations of international consequence — and GWSB has established relationships with institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American States, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, among others.

Tapping into this network of global organizations, the GWSB Department of International Business has built a widely respected reputation throughout academia, and more importantly, throughout the international business community. It is this solid reputation and academic integrity, along with a transformative study-abroad component, that provide the foundation for GWSB’s Master of Science in International Business (MSIB) degree. Students in the MSIB program complete two consulting courses — one working overseas with a client, and the other for an international organization here in Washington, D.C. They also participate in a professional seminar, which includes resume, interview and technical skills workshops as well as advice sessions from employers and alumni.

The MSIB program will instill you with the knowledge and expertise you need to keep pace with the constantly changing global business environment, and allows you to do so in an environment that is multicultural to its core. A broad selection of electives gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to emphasize your specific career interests.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

• Assess the opportunities and challenges of doing business in global markets
• Analyze the similarities and differences in economic, political, and regulatory environments
• Develop skills, knowledge and tools to analyze opportunities, risks and competition in the global business environment
• Evaluate the influence of multinational firms, international institutions, governments and non-government organizations on a national and global scale
• Formulate strategies that generate and leverage a firm’s competitive advantage in the global arena
• Effectively manage and lead multinational and multi-cultural human capital

Connect With Us

Join our LinkedIn group to connect, network, and get acquainted with fellow GWSB grad students in your academic program, and learn about upcoming professional development opportunities, student engagement events, online events and more. Please note: this group is only open to current students and alumni.

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Contact Information

Faculty Director

Robert Weiner
[email protected]
(202) 994-5981

About the Academic Program

The MSIB program is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with strong foundations to analyze the problems at the heart of  international business, finance, and economics. The combination of rigorous analytics with first-hand experiential learning in the form of required study abroad, client consulting projects, and a professional practicum  prepares for global business careers. Our evening classes accommodate the busy schedule of working professionals and encourage full-time students to explore internships. MSIB’s work/study balance helps students succeed in the program while preparing for professional careers.

Our school is nationally and internationally-ranked for International Business, and  has been for decades. The Financial Times ranks the GW International Business Department #1 in the U.S. and #2 worldwide. Our teachers as well as our students are highly diverse, with gender parity among both faculty and students.

Finalists

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to MSIB student Yaqi Zhang and her teammates for making the finals of the graduate division of the 2023 National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) annual export strategy case competition.

National Champions

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to GWSB grad students Annie Nguyen, Hilal Uyanik and Liwei Xu for winning the graduate division of the 2022 National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) annual export strategy case competition. Special thanks to Professor Anna Helm, Alexis Gaul, and David Ruda of GW-CIBER for guiding the case team throughout the process.

About Our Location

Our downtown Washington, D.C. campus is just a short walk to the city's business district, Smithsonian museums, and premiere worldwide institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Washington, D.C. is an amazing place where you can find a balance between work and fun. Come study, meet ambitious, interesting young people from around the globe, and experience a world capital.

Videos

Learn more about the MS in International Business program at the GW School of Business.

MSIB Program Director Robert Weiner discusses our partnership with the Financial Times in delivering hands-on international business learning.

Founding MSIB Director and Associate Professor of International Business and International Affairs Liesl Riddle discusses the launch of the MSIB program in Fall 2019 and our partnership with the Financial Times in providing our students with a global perspective on business.

Degree Requirements

Combined Degree Options

This degree may be combined with a bachelor's degree through GWSB's new 4+1 Program, which enables students to complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years. 4+1 Program options, eligibility and degree paths are outlined on the 4+1 Program page.

Sample Course Sequencing

Sample Course Sequencing – Fall Start

Fall 1 (12 credits)

• Financial Accounting (3 credits)
• Competition in the Global Economy (3 credits)
• International Economics (3 credits)
• Big Data for International Business (3 credits)

Spring 1 (15 credits)

• Finance (3 credits)
• Strategy Concepts (3 credits)
• International Business elective 1 (3 credits)
• International Business elective 2 (3 credits)
• Capstone 1 (3 credits)

Summer 1 (6 credits)

• International Business Finance (3 credits)
• Capstone 2 (2 credits)
• Professional Seminar (1 credit)

Semester-Abroad (LTSA) Option

The GW School of Business has partnered with top 20 top business schools around the world to provide students access to hundreds of additional electives, semester-long immersion in another culture, and exposure to another business perspective. The semester-abroad program, also known as Long-term Study Abroad (LTSA), counts towards the MSIB Capstone 1 (study abroad) requirement, and allows MSIB candidates to complete their 6 elective credits and Capstone 1 requirement in their fourth semester. Students choosing this option should plan to take their other required courses prior to their semester abroad.

GWSB’s Global & Experiential Education (G&EE) oversees selection, placement and advising. Students are encouraged to attend the LTSA information sessions in September and January to learn more about each partner school. A current list as well as Information Session dates can be found on the Global and Experiential Education LTSA page. For more information, contact G&EE at [email protected].

Admissions

Admission to the MSIB program is highly competitive and enrollment is limited. Students operate in two cohorts throughout the academic year.

Due to the rolling admissions policy, it is highly recommended that candidates submit applications early. The candidate’s major and trend in grades, personal achievements, and letters of recommendation also affect the admission decision. This program seeks social, ethnic, cultural and geographical diversity in its student body.

Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Strong academic performance
• Demonstrated professional interest in international business
• Successful completion of foundational statistics and economic courses is strongly encouraged

Admissions Process

Applying to a program at the GW School of Business may seem like a complicated process, but the GWSB admissions team is here to help. The application process for this program can be found on our How to Apply page. All application materials should be sent to the GWSB Graduate Admissions Office. The GRE or GMAT test is not required — however, if you feel that submitting your scores will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them. We also offer a wealth of resources to help you finance your degree, from scholarships and fellowships to loans and work-study arrangements.

Application Requirements

To be considered complete, the following must be included in the application:

• Completed online application form
• Application fee (non-refundable)
• Current résumé uploaded through the online application system
• One letter of recommendation from a professional and/or academic reference
• Statement of Purpose: In no more than 500 words, describe how this program fits into your professional life and your career objectives.

Additional Application Requirements

• Upload copies of your transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, whether or not the program was completed or the credit appears as a transfer credit on another transcript. Note that admitted students will be required to submit official, sealed transcripts with proof of bachelor’s degree. There is no need to submit them at the time when you first apply.
• The GRE or GMAT test is not required for this program — however, if you feel that submitting your scores will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them. Learn more about our test-optional policy on the How to Apply page. GW School of Business applicants interested in taking the exam can benefit from 10% off any Kaplan GMAT or GRE preparation course. Use discount code GWUSB10.

International Applicants

Applicants who require a visa to study in the United States must also fulfill additional requirements in order to be considered for admission to a graduate program at the School of Business. Please visit our How to Apply page for further details.

Admissions Process

Applying to a program at the GW School of Business may seem like a complicated process, but the GWSB admissions team is here to help. The application process for this program can be found on our How to Apply page. All application materials should be sent to the GWSB Graduate Admissions Office. The GRE or GMAT test is not required — however, if you feel that submitting your scores will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them.