Online MBA in International Business Programs
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“It’s about navigating the complexities of culture, regulation, politics, and economics—all while building relationships across borders and time zones.”
Jennifer Teague, PhD, Executive Director of Global Campus Business Programs, Southern New Hampshire University
Master’s in business administration (MBA) programs are designed to help candidates think big, and finding an MBA program with an international focus can make them think even bigger. A program with a global scope makes sense in a climate of global commerce, where technological advances make it possible to communicate with just about anyone, anywhere, at any time.
An MBA with an international focus can teach a business professional the useful skills to adapt, communicate, stay organized, and remain focused on commerce, transcending differences in background, culture, and nationality. It can also help a student understand the bigger picture of the modern business world by teaching how minor cultural differences and larger national policy decisions impact business relationships. As with other MBA concentrations, this degree may help open doors for future mid- to upper-level management positions by providing knowledge of finances and investments, marketing, and administration—some of the many facets underlying modern business practices.
An MBA with a global business perspective also can qualify students for a wide range of employment opportunities. Graduates of MBA programs with an international focus may find careers in different countries, coordinating international programs at company headquarters, as management consultants, risk analysts, foreign business development directors, or in other executive positions at multinational corporations.
Modern MBA programs boast a variety of delivery options beyond learning theory in the classroom, reading case studies, and converting currency. Some programs allow people to travel to other countries to study, or include communications with international educators, business leaders, or other professionals. In addition, many MBA programs are offered partially or fully online through distance learning. Distance learning has advantages for professionals already working full-time by providing flexibility in scheduling and consequently, no need to relocate to enroll physically.
Read on to explore online MBAs in international business, including details about coursework and accreditation.
| Featured International Business Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University | Online MBA In International Business | View Full Profile |
| Purdue Global | Online MBA - Global Business | View Full Profile |
| Boston University | Graduate Certificate - Global Marketing Mgmt | View Full Profile |
| University of Mount Saint Vincent | MBA - International Business | View Full Profile |
| William Paterson University | International Risk Management Certificate | View Full Profile |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Meet the Expert: Jaime Salas, PhD
Dr. Jim Salas is a practitioner of marketing at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School. A former corporate executive with over a decade of experience at AT&T and in various consulting roles, he now focuses on teaching business professionals strategies for acquiring profitable customers, shaping stakeholder perceptions, and delivering strategic value.
Dr. Salas’s research explores the intersection of marketing, brand value, sales effectiveness, and innovation, with a particular focus on service strategies in industrial markets. His work has been published in leading journals including the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science and the Journal of Business Research. He is also the author of “Profiting from Services and Solutions: What Product Centric Firms Need to Know.”
A member of the American Marketing Association, the Academy of Marketing Science, and the PhD Project, Dr. Salas holds a PhD and MBA from Arizona State University and a BA from the University of Phoenix. He also serves on the board of directors for the Ventura County Credit Union.
BSchools.org: What is something you wish the public understood about international business?
Dr. Salas: I think most people think a global business career is about jet-setting around the world and just getting your products and services into the hands of international customers. The truth is, there is more than just travel. Traveling and oftentimes, living abroad is certainly a part of the vocation, but folks underestimate the larger, more complex challenges that are associated with success in global business. For example, one has to really understand the business strategy very well, why entering a global market makes sense, choosing the right global markets, the right products and services to offer, and the people to work with in the country.
With respect to my discipline of marketing, a good global manager needs to understand how cultural context drives consumer behavior. Just because your product is successful in your home market, it doesn’t mean that success will translate into a global market. This gets more complicated when you are dealing with a business-to-business customer, where corporate buying behavior may look very different than what you may be used to in our home market. I would also add that just about every business is international in some way. Most people would be surprised to know that, according to the Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 35 percent of all U.S. exports (SBA 2004).
BSchools.org: What advice would you give to potential MBA candidates considering a concentration in international business?
Dr. Salas: I would advise them to get their passports and start traveling. The more we travel, the more we can understand that the way we do things in our home country is not the only way. You are never too early to try and learn foreign cultures, languages, and read newspapers that are non U.S. based. To understand a culture, you really have to understand its geopolitics and history, so brush off that old world history textbook and start reading whatever you can get your hands on.
Although most world business is conducted in English, there is nothing like being able to convey some sentiments in your client’s native language. The ability to develop empathy for people is a prerequisite for a successful global business manager. Students often make the mistake of undervaluing culture, but as Peter Drucker once said, “Culture eats Strategy for breakfast.” The quote highlights the importance of values, beliefs, and behaviors, which are all a part of culture. The more you learn about your target foreign market’s culture, history, music, and literature, the closer you will get to understanding them as consumers and employees.
BSchools.org: What does the future of this area look like to you?
Dr. Salas: I see the future of global business to be centered on the following: sustainability, AI, and change management. The first is sustainability. Climate change is already here, and we are already seeing its effects on global consumers. Studies at Harvard have indicated that, especially among the younger consumer markets which marketers value the most, sustainability has moved from nice-to-haves to table-stakes (Reichheld, Peto, & Ritthaler, 2003). Future global business leaders need to meet their customers where they are and design products and supply chains that meet sustainability goals.
Second, artificial intelligence. Supply chains are now being optimized and designed by AI. We see the technology being used in dark factories, automated factories run by AI, which run 24/7 in the dark because machines do not need to see. The ability for global leaders to not just understand this technology and its application but to recruit a diverse global talent that will be affected by AI is paramount.
Finally, change management. By this, I mean the ability for global managers to see trends, anticipate changes, and react to disruption will be key. The world is changing very fast. In a few short weeks, we have witnessed a complete reorganization of our global trade systems, an expansion of BRICS (Brazil, India, China, & South Africa) countries to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, and Ethiopia, known as BRICS+. This group now controls 43 percent of our global oil production, and we are just beginning to see their influence take shape on global supply chains.
Combine this with the current geopolitics of the war in Ukraine, possible invasion of Taiwan, and the Middle East—the ability to stay flexible to maneuver around these elements will be a challenge the next batch of global managers will have to contend with.
Meet the Expert: Jennifer Teague, PhD
Dr. Jennifer Teague joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2023 as executive director of global campus business programs. Prior to joining SNHU, Teague spent over a decade with Purdue Global, starting in 2011 as a professor of management, moving to course lead, program chair, and then senior director of education abroad and global engagement.
Before her time with Purdue Global, she worked in Norway for BI Norwegian Business School as an assistant professor and founder and executive director of the Center for International Competence. Dr. Teague also spent time living and working in more than 25 other countries, including the UK, and has over 20 publications from throughout her career.
Dr. Teague earned her PhD in business administration (International Management) from Northcentral University, an MBA from the University of Houston, and a BA in business administration and theology from the University of St. Thomas (TX). She also holds postgraduate certificates in social research methods from the University of Aberdeen (UK) and leadership agility from Cornell.
BSchools.org: What is something you wish the public understood about international business?
Dr. Teague: I wish more people understood that international business is really all business. Although you might never physically step foot outside of your own country, technology and interconnected economies mean we are doing business across borders, no matter where we are in the world.
It’s about navigating the complexities of culture, regulation, politics, and economics—all while building relationships across borders and time zones. Successful international business leaders are savvy strategists, but they’re also empathetic communicators and adaptable thinkers. The world doesn’t operate on one rhythm, and the ability to lead across cultures requires humility, curiosity, and a deep respect for perspectives different from your own. It’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding and essential in today’s interdependent world.
BSchools.org: What advice would you give to potential MBA candidates considering a concentration in international business?
Dr. Teague: Do it! But don’t do it just for the passport stamps. A concentration in international business is for those who are energized by complexity and inspired by diversity. My advice is to stay curious, stay humble, and be ready to lead through ambiguity, because uncertainty is a hallmark of international business. Most importantly, seek experiences that stretch you. Travel, network globally (professional associations and LinkedIn are great for this), and work on projects with international partners.
The world of business is global, and employers are looking for leaders who can operate with intercultural fluency and strategic agility. It’s one of the most future-ready choices you can make.
BSchools.org: What does the future of this area look like to you?
Dr. Teague: The future of international business is increasingly digital, decentralized, and inclusive. We’re already seeing more cross-border collaboration happening virtually, more startups operating globally from day one, and more demand for leaders who can think globally but act locally—the Covid crisis accelerated this need exponentially.
AI and automation will change how business is done, but human skills like cultural intelligence, adaptability, and ethical decision-making will become even more valuable.
Sustainability and social impact will also play a larger role in global strategy. International business will continue to evolve, but its heart will remain the same tenets: bringing people together to solve problems, create value, and build a better world.
Featured Online MBAs in International Business
SNHU’s MBA in international business discusses global commerce topics within cultural, political, social, and economic contexts, and provides overviews of different international organizations and trade policies. The online program is designed for busy professionals interested in leadership positions who need flexible scheduling of courses to increase their cultural awareness and expand their worldview.
This 30-credit program includes courses such as leading people and organizations; organizational strategy in a global environment; innovation and strategy for high-performance organizations; measuring success in an organization; multinational corporate environment; international market strategy; and managing international trade and finance.
| Location: Manchester, NH |
| Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi offers an online MBA in international business. Core courses include accounting topics; managerial economics; managerial finance; organizational behavior and theory; software-based business solutions; marketing management; operations management; and administrative strategy and policy capstone.
Those in this specialization take additional courses in marketing in the international environment; international economics; multinational finance; and multinational management.
| Location: Corpus Christi, TX |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months |
The online MBA program with a concentration on international business through Eastern Washington University’s School of Business consists of 44 credits. Emphasizing skills such as international investments, global accounting, and international financial management, this online program helps students gain an understanding of applicable business theories within the context of corporate leadership.
Featuring six-week courses and seven start dates a year, this concentration is specifically designed for working professionals. Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0.
The curriculum includes courses such as data-driven decision-making; corporate finance; marketing management; essentials of operations management; international financial management; international investments; and international forensics accounting.
Graduates will be able to take up roles such as international traders, import or export coordinators, global management consultants, multinational marketing managers, or economists.
| Location: Cheney, WA |
| Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 10 months |
Purdue Global offers an online MBA program with a concentration in global business. To apply for admission, candidates must submit proof of a GPA of 2.5 or greater in a completed bachelor’s degree program. No GRE or GMAT scores are required. The program comprises 76 credits.
Purdue Global’s online MBA program features instruction in business perspectives; business communications; business analytics; financial accounting principles and analysis; measurement and decision-making; strategic human resource management; marketing management; economics for global decision-makers; financial management; designing, improving, and implementing processes; managing the value chain; strategic management; ethics in business and society; leadership strategies for a changing world; and an MBA capstone. The concentration courses include training in how varying socio-political and legal frameworks within countries impact their business environments.
| Location: West Lafayette, IN |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers an online MBA in several concentrations, including global management. Students complete core courses such as creative and innovative management; advanced operations management; managerial accounting; project management; information technology for business decision-making; contemporary challenges in managing organizations; corporate financial management; leadership: theory, application, and skill development; marketing management; advanced global management; competitive decision-making; and advanced strategic management.
The global management concentration adds instruction in global supply chain management, international financial management, and global marketing management.
| Location: Kenosha, WI |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months |
Texas A&M International University’s online MBA in international business helps students nurture their leadership skills applicable to administrative roles both abroad and domestically. Students in this program will learn to examine various facets of international logistics, international management, and global business environments.
This 30-credit program designed for convenience and affordability provides insight into global business. The curriculum includes courses such as business research methods; managerial economics; strategic management; financial statement analysis; global environments of business; international logistics; and international management.
Students who do not possess undergraduate degrees in business administration from accredited universities will be required to take prep-module courses that will help prepare them for their MBA journey.
| Location: Laredo, TX |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months |
Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business offers several online MBA programs, including a concentration in global business. Applicants must submit a resume, a statement of purpose, one letter of recommendation, GRE or GMAT test scores, and official transcripts from a bachelor’s degree. Test score waivers are available for students who qualify.
Pepperdine University’s online MBA program comprises core instruction in behavior in organizations; quantitative analysis for business operations; accounting information and control systems; prices, profit and market economy; financial management of the firm; and marketing management. The global business concentration has additional courses in global capital markets and institutions; global brand management; and a global business intensive.
As part of this 52-credit program, students must attend one immersion experience on Pepperdine’s campus during their first term.
| Location: Malibu, CA |
| Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 20 to 24 months |
The University of Mount Saint Vincent offers an online MBA program with several concentration options. In addition to the general track, concentrations are available in healthcare management, international business, nonprofit management, and risk management.
The ACBSP-accredited online MBA in international business prepares graduates to leverage opportunities presented by the rapid growth of globalization. Students in this comprehensive program will analyze how multinational companies function and compete in the global market. They will also learn how to overcome issues associated with international governance, antitrust legislation, and cultural differences.
The program requires the completion of 60 credits. However, applicants may waive up to 30 of the required 60 credits based on appropriate undergraduate coursework in business administration. The curriculum includes courses such as managerial accounting; business analysis and modeling for managers; management and organization theory; international marketing; international financial management; international management and cross-cultural communication; international political relations; and international trade.
| Location: Riverdale, NY | Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months |
Campbellsville University offers an online MBA in international business providing students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become leaders in tomorrow’s global marketplace. Taught by experienced business leaders, the curriculum examines global policies and concepts, international marketing best practices, and international business ideals.
Students in this program will learn about the different external and internal forces that define the issues faced by managers at global organizations. Additionally, they will explore advanced marketing tactics and strategies used in worldwide markets. The program also analyzes the international trends in ethics, globalization, and business, and the organizations influencing them including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the World Bank, and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
The program’s 36-credit curriculum includes courses such as managerial accounting; marketing management; management information systems; human resource management; international marketing; managing global companies; and global policies and concepts.
| Location: Campbellsville, KY |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Villanova University’s School of Business provides an online MBA with a concentration in international business. To apply for admissions, candidates must submit official transcripts from a completed bachelor’s degree, a resume, an essay, two letters of recommendation, and GRE or GMAT test scores (waivers are available).
VU’s 48-credit online MBA provides instruction in analyzing and leveraging data; strategic marketing management; corporate finance; business operations & supply chain management; business risk management; innovation & creativity; and team leadership and group dynamics. Additionally, the international business concentration features electives such as global marketing; international business management; and international finance, among others.
| Location: Villanova, PA |
| Accreditation: Middle States Association Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
The MBA program through the D’Amore-McKim School of Business consists of 13 core courses and five electives, for a total of 50 credits. The core courses provide a general foundation in business and finance. If someone wants a larger overview of current topics, electives can be selected from eight concentrations including healthcare, marketing, and sustainability.
The international management concentration helps people develop multinational skills such as branding, supply chain management, social entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing, competitive advantages, and cultural differences. The program at NU is offered on-campus and online, and provides international residency options.
| Location: Boston, MA |
| Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges; Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 10 months |
The Queens University of Charlotte McColl School of Business provides a flexible online MBA in global business management, which emphasizes Hugh McColl’s three C’s of leadership: competence, character, and commitment to the community. Admissions requirements include a resume, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, while three years of professional work experience is preferred.
This 39-credit program includes instruction in economics for managers; strategic planning and implementation; managerial accounting; marketing management; managing in a global context; and three of the following: international financial management; global business strategy; international experience; and cross-cultural management.
| Location: Charlotte, NC |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 30 months |
This private non-profit Jesuit research university offers a 36 to 48-credit MBA program which can be completed online. Students can select from a variety of focus areas, including accounting, healthcare management, operations management, enterprise resource planning, and international business.
The international business focus teaches students globalization topics such as buying and selling, learning about cultural differences, and global statistics. Accompanied by a Jesuit focus on ethics, social responsibility, and technology-enhanced management skills, the University of Scranton MBA program shares management and leadership strategies for individuals, departments, and entire organizations.
The international business specialization includes courses such as macroeconomic analysis: a global perspective; international accounting; international finance; global health management; international business; international management; global marketing; and supply chain management.
| Location: Scranton, PA |
| Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
The Carson School of Business MBA with a concentration in international business teaches students strategies for marketing different products for different cultures, communicating, and best practices for research and making effective decisions. The program also helps students consider the role of political, economic, and cultural conditions on commerce. The program can range from 36 to 52 credits, depending on how much foundational work is required.
Students in this concentration will be able to hone their skills in cross-cultural communication, international marketing, global workforce management, and international finance. Courses include international business management; international finance; international marketing management; and international tourism strategy and planning.
Notably, the international business concentration can also be completed as a standalone nine-credit graduate certificate that requires as few as three courses.
| Location: Pullman, WA |
| Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 22 months |
The University of Delaware offers an online MBA with a specialization in international business. Students in this program will explore globalization in today’s business marketplaces, understand the implications of global technological transformations, and learn how to build an international network.
Applicants to the program must have the equivalent of a four-year US bachelor’s degree in any academic background from a regionally or internationally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0. Application requirements include official transcripts, a current resume, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. Limited professional work experience is also considered and GMAT/GRE scores are not mandatory but encouraged.
This 44-credit program includes courses such as financial reporting and analysis; fundamentals of analytics; managing people, teams, and organizations; economic analysis for business policy; operations management and management science; globalization and business; managing the global enterprise; the future of globalization: issues, agents, decisions & you; leading across boundaries; and international marketing management.
| Location: Newark, DE |
| Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 16 months |
Admissions Requirements - Online MBA Programs
Every MBA program in international business has different admission requirements. Some common requirements derived from the programs above include:
- A bachelor’s degree that includes a satisfactory GPA and a focus on business, finance, statistics, math, or economics
- A certain GMAT score, which can sometimes be waived if a candidate has other graduate-level or higher academic credentials
- Some professional experience in a business/financial field
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for non-native speakers of English
- Personal statement of goals and objectives
- Letters of recommendation
- Completion of certain pre-requisite business and finance courses or an abridged overview for candidates with non-business backgrounds
Accreditation
An MBA from an accredited academic program means students are receiving an education that adheres to established standards for quality, vital subjects, and current knowledge areas. For institutions or programs, the accreditation process may include campus visits or student and faculty surveys, as well as examinations of a school’s graduation rate, career placement (i.e., student outcomes), industry involvement, and alumni support. To keep accreditation current, each institution or program must engage in an intermittent renewal process. Accreditation for business programs is done by two major accrediting bodies.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) focuses on promoting and improving programs in business administration, management, and related courses such as operations, human resources, and real estate. The AACSB recognizes the importance of faculty research and providing students with solid knowledge foundations. Of the 1,000+ schools in 60+ territories with AACSB accreditation, most are larger programs with a strong institutional focus.
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) also works to accredit business programs in higher education. This newer organization focuses on tangible learning outcomes and quality improvement, especially as the workforce demands change. ACBSP accredits nearly 3,000 programs at over 430 campuses across the world.
