The Top International Business MBA Online Programs

The widespread availability of high speed Internet and the rapid industrialization of countries like China and India have increased the number of businesses operating on a global scale. Any business with a web presence can potentially serve customers and access suppliers all over the world. The result is an increasingly global economy where business leaders must learn how to work with individuals from very different cultures. Thus, by pursuing an online Masters of Business Administration in International Business, students can help organizations manage worldwide operations and improve growth in a global market.

Top online MBA international business programs take the business concepts typically taught in business schools and apply them to an international setting. Students will learn how to develop a global mindset, handle cross-cultural differences and work within the varying legal environments of different countries. Some of the schools with high online international business MBA rankings even give students the opportunity to study abroad to gain first-hand experience of working in a foreign country. After receiving an international business MBA online degree, students will be equipped with the skills needed to lead a company’s global operations.

How can I tell if an online MBA international business degree is right for me?

An online Master of Business Administration in International Business is perfect for students that are interested in cross-cultural differences, global economics and international trade.

Some additional traits that are common amongst many online MBA international business students include:

• A capacity for communicating with persons outside organization
• An aptitude for selling or influencing others
• A skill for resolving conflicts and negotiating with others
• A knack for making decisions and solving problems
• A skill for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships

How long does it take to earn an MBA online international business degree?

The time it takes to earn an international business MBA degree online is comparable to the time it takes to earn other MBAs online. Two years of full time study is generally required to finish this degree. However, part-time or accelerated programs are offered by some schools to allow students to complete the course under a timeframe that suits their schedule.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA international business schools online?

Prior to enrolling in online MBA international business programs, business schools generally require students to possess a bachelor’s degree. While having a bachelor’s degree in related fields including fashion marketing, business administration, project management, and real estate may be ideal for those wanting to enroll in a good MBA international business online program, it is generally not required.

The following criteria are also used by many online MBA in international business programs in making admissions decisions including:

• Academic transcripts
• Work experience
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)
• References or Letters of Recommendation

What courses will I take in international business MBA programs online?

The first year of an online MBA in international business is composed mostly of core courses that are more focused on general business principles. For example, students can expect to take courses like finance, accounting, macroeconomics, microeconomics and legal studies. Some schools with high online MBA rankings also have a foreign language requirement.

After receiving a good foundation in core business topics, the second half of an international business MBA online program teaches students to apply those concepts to a global setting. Global operations and supply chain management, international finance, global marketing strategy, operations management and international corporate finance are just a few of the courses offered by the best online international business MBA schools.

Students enrolled in online international business MBA programs often complete internships in order to enhance their education. Such an internship can prove valuable in that it not only gives students an opportunity to practically apply the business and international business skills they are gaining in an actual business setting, but it can also serve as an introduction into a particular business or company.

What are the best online MBA in international business books I should consider reading?

For students interested in international business MBA careers, some insightful books include:

1. The World is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century (Thomas L. Friedman) – This book, which is required reading for most MBA online international business students, explains how the world is rapidly becoming a level playing field where all business competitors have an equal opportunity.

2. Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands (Terri Morrison) – Many consider this book to be an essential resource for proper international business etiquette, providing insight into the different practices, customs and philosophies of several countries.

3. Bright Lights, No City: An African Adventure on Bad Roads with a Brother and a Very Weird Business Plan (Max Alexander) – Two American brothers decide to start a business selling high quality rechargeable batteries in low-income villages in Ghana and share their story of working in a world completely different from their own.

4. Once Upon an American Dream: The Story of Euro Disneyland (Andrew Lainsbury) – This book describes the many cultural aspects Disney executives did not consider when opening the Euro Disney Resort in Paris and the struggle the company faced trying to win customers over.

5. The Retail Revolution: How Wal-Mart Created a Brave New World of Business (Nelson Lichtenstein) – Historian Lichtenstein describes the success of Wal-Mart as it grew from a small business in Arkansas to a huge international enterprise and reveals some of the enormous problems the company faces.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue international business MBA jobs?

Students with an accredited MBA international business online degree are qualified for many different management positions in all kinds of industries. However, the BLS does not track international business managers and it is thus difficult to put a number on how many jobs are available. Additionally, the annual international business MBA salary a graduate would receive varies with the position, as the following examples highlight:

• Economist – $89,450
• International Marketing Manager – $78,000
• International Sourcing Manager – $92,000
• International Management Analyst – $78,000

The job outlook for graduates of international business MBA schools online depends on what they are looking to do. For example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for management analysts is expected to grow 22% while employment for financial managers is only expected to grow 9%. The demand for management analysts is increasing as companies look for new ways to improve efficiency and controls costs while the banking industry, which is the primary employer for financial managers, is facing a sharp decline due to the recession.

Many employers prefer graduates who have graduated from AACSB accredited international business MBA programs. Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation typically is evidence that that a business school provides a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online International Business MBA degree?

• South University
• Hawaii Pacific University Online
• University of Phoenix
• Walden University
• Western International University