Among the most popular online degrees in recent years has been the MBA — a widely applicable, ROI-conscious degree made more affordable and flexible through online delivery. Universities have also begun to expand their MBA concentration options to give students an added layer of control and customization, whether their interests lie in Project Management, Leadership, or Entrepreneurship.
But in an increasingly connected, global business environment, the International Business MBA is perhaps the most forward-thinking of all. In addition to traditional business core classes, students focus on business theory and practice across territorial, cultural, political, and socioeconomic lines — that is, business as it’s often seen today.
As such, International Business curricula often incorporate communication and foreign language components, and many include study abroad opportunities.
Each program, of course, is different, but quality online options are relatively hard to find. For your convenience, we’ve compiled our top 3.
The Best Online International Management MBAs
1. University of North Dakota
Founded in 1883, The University of North Dakota has a total enrollment of 14,900, representing 50 states and 85 countries. US News ranks NDU among the top 100 public universities in the country, and Forbes, Princeton Review, and Washington Monthly have each highlighted the university. Classes are capped at 22, and the 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports a vibrant, collaborative learning environment while maintaining individualized instruction. Over 40% of classes consist of fewer than 20 students, and less than 10% have 50 or more. Alumni include 8 governors of North Dakota, a former Deputy National Security Advisor at the White House, CEO Sally Smith, Phil Jackson, Carl Ben Eielson, and Chuck Klosterman.
UND’s online MBA in International Business consists of 36 credits, which include 9 credits from an approved foreign college/university and a workshop or course of study in cultural language studies. Core requirements include classes in Strategic Management, Managerial Theory, Market Planning, and Macroeconomic Decision Making, followed by a thesis or non-thesis track. All courses deliver 100% online for maximum flexibility, including asynchronous material and a weekly live webinar, and three entry dates are available per year to accommodate students’ schedules. In addition to in-state tuition regardless of official residency, UND online students have access to online tutoring and library, tech, and advising services. Applicants should have earned a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and a GMAT score of 500. The program is accredited by the AACSB International.
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- Tuition Per Credit: $410
2. Bellevue University
Bellevue University, founded in 1966, has a total enrollment of about 10,000 students and specializes in flexible, affordable online education for adults and working professionals. All course work is complete according to students’ individual schedules, and a variety of delivery methods – including accelerated cohorts, flex paths, MOOCs, certificates of completion, and course clusters — support a tailored and personalized educational setting. Further, Bellevue’s generous transfer policy may accelerate course work, and through the university’s learning platform, students have 24/7 access to course material, live chat with peers and instructors, collaborate via group discussion boards, and utilize other multimedia. As a Christian university, religious concepts may be integrated into curricula.
Bellevue’s online MBA includes concentrations in International Management and Global Economic Threat Environment, each 36 credits. Specialized courses for IM include International and Global Business, International Finance, International Consumer Behavior, and Regulation and Ethics for International Business; for the Global Economic Threat specialization — more politically oriented — students take Green Security, Hard and Soft Power, Transnational Crime and Corruption, and political surveys of Africa and Asia. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to: assess business performance in an international context; manage and enhance workforce productivity, collaboration, and innovation; leverage new technologies, and more. The program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
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- Tuition Per Credit: $545
3. Gardner-Webb University
Gardner-Webb University, founded in 1905, has a total enrollment of about 4,300, split between undergraduate and graduate students. Ranked among the best national universities by US News, Gardner-Webb’s low student-to-faculty ratio — just 13:1 — supports an intimate, tight-knit learning community that promotes collaborative, personalized education. Nearly 70% of courses consist of fewer than 20 students, and none have 50 or more. The university also has excellent financial aid opportunities: 80% of undergrads receive some form of aid, and the average need met is over 75%. Gardner-Webb’s online education programs have significantly expanded in recent years and include 100% online, hybrid, and blended delivery to accommodate students’ individual schedules and learning styles.
Gardner-Webb’s online International MBA consists of 36 credits. In addition to core courses, students choose two of the following: International Economics, International Accounting, International Trade Law, International Finance, International Marketing, International Trade, and International Business. Designed for maximum flexibility, the curriculum trains students in managerial/leadership skills at the departmental, divisional, and organizational levels, and the typical degree completion time is 2 years. For those interested, online master’s also available in Accountancy, General Business Administration, and Wealth and Trust Management. The program is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.
- Tuition Per Credit: $525