I looked into masters programs in international business as part of an assignment during my MBA program. There are about 30 such programs in the US today. The institution with the best reputation appears to be Thunderbird. At least four other established schools have joint programs with them.

As a businessman who has traveled to almost 70 countries on business during the last decade and who relies on overseas customers, I'd highly recommend a focus on international business. It's becoming more and more important.

I looked into masters programs in international business as part of an assignment during my MBA program. There are about 30 such programs in the US today. The institution with the best reputation appears to be Thunderbird. At least four other established schools have joint programs with them.

As a businessman who has traveled to almost 70 countries on business during the last decade and who relies on overseas customers, I'd highly recommend a focus on international business. It's becoming more and more important.


Its funny you say that becuase my Business teacher said the same exact thing. Thats what really got me interested in International Business. Have you heard of FIU graduate SChool International Business program?

Here are some excerpts from the report I put together about 2 1/2 years ago. Maybe it will be useful to you. For easier reading, I've cut out the references.

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With a clear trend towards increased globalization, today’s business leaders are looking to American universities to better prepare their students for the world of international business. More and more companies are focusing on hiring graduates with a global outlook, fluency in other languages, and relevant work experience overseas. A recruiter for a major US corporation states that the ability to speak multiple languages is an important skill for MBA graduates. US cities that serve as gateways to international trade have begun to recognize the importance of training the local workforce in the skills of international business as a method of attracting companies to their region. A spokesperson for a large public university has noted growth due to “a greater general interest in multiculturalism and global business opportunities.". One result of this trend is the emergence of a number of graduate-level degrees in international business.

The first university to offer a Master of International Management program in the United States was the American Graduate School of International Management – better known as Thunderbird. More than 50 years after the founding of this program, US News & World Report ranks Thunderbird first among all private and public US colleges for the caliber of its international business program. This private school in Arizona offers a range of full-time and part-time degrees in international business, and its degree program is available in conjunction with at least five other US colleges.

The University of South Carolina (USC) offers the top-tanked international business program at a public university. This program was approved in 1974 as a result of ongoing dialog between the university and the local business community. From the inception of the program, the university required students to undergo intensive foreign language training and to pursue a business internship overseas.

In 1993, a professor at Portland State University conducted a survey among 600 local companies. The results showed the growing importance of international trade and the difficulty of finding graduates with an understanding of other cultures. Among their more urgent needs, companies included the ability to communicate cross-culturally and to speak other languages, skills in international negotiation, and having a global strategic orientation. Three years after the survey was taken, PSU accepted the first entrants to its new Master of International Management program.

These three successful university programs have a number of important attributes in common.
International business permeates the material taught in all courses
Classes include a high percentage of international students and are often taught by professors from other cultures
Students are required or strongly encouraged to participate in an assignment overseas
A good working knowledge of a foreign language is expected in order to participate in the program
Two of the universities host a Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER)The US government established the CIBER program in 1988 “to increase and promote the nation's capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise”. Today, 30 different centers offer lectures, seminars and conferences designed for the local business community. The most successful CIBER programs are those that are closely integrated with college programs.

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In our report, we shortlisted 32 college programs that focus on international business. They have different names (MIM, IMM, MIB, iMBA, and so on), but they are all genuinely international. Only eight of these are CIBER schools (including FIU); surprisingly, most CIBER schools don't have an international business program.

FYI, the eight CIBER schools that we found offer a masters program in international business are FIU, Purdue, Thunderbird, Univ of Colorado, Univ of Kansas, Univ of Memphis, Univ of South Carolina, and Univ of Wisconsin.

I have no comment on the relative caliber of each program, although we did note the average GMAT score where published (FIU was 549, compared to 600 for Thunderbird and 630 for USC). I hope this information helps.

Thanks, that is some great information you are giving me I really appreciate it

I've read a lot about the IMBA programs. I'm debating between that and a MBA in healthcare admin.


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http://www.daylon.com/mba/