A World of Opportunities
Breadcrumb
Credit hours: 30+ (possible prerequisites)
Full-time, part-time
Online and evening class options
Start terms: fall, spring, summer
GMAT/GRE optional
Empowering leaders for a dynamic digital global economy
CU Denver’s Master’s in International Business prepares professionals to navigate the global economy with expertise in digital globalization, supply chain management, and cross-cultural studies, leading to diverse careers in multinational corporations, entrepreneurship, and international organizations.
1 of only 15 prestigious CIBER designations in the U.S.
Mentorship program offers pairing with a faculty advisor and a business mentor for each MSIB student
+
Classes offered in
the evening and online
Multiple experiential opportunities to travel and learn
“After completing the MSIB, I am confident that I can bring great value to almost any business, whether that be a small global startup, a Fortune 500 company like my new employer, or the company I hope to start one day.”
– Fabian Laguna, MSIB ‘20
Our Master in International Business program provides students with IB competency, cross cultural agility and digital globalization-related knowledge and skills. Our student population is made up of driven professionals with a mix of travel experience, international project work, and language fluency. No matter what course you’re taking, you’ll interact with people who will broaden your perspective.
Program highlights include:
- Diverse faculty and student body from different national backgrounds
- Multiple networking opportunities with MSIB alumni and leaders in international business through guest speakers in classes, panel events, and executive lectures hosted by our Institute for International Business (IIB)
- Downtown Denver and Colorado location, a hub for global business and digital entrepreneurship
- MSIB Mentorship Program pairs each student with both a faculty mentor to help students choose the right classes for your interests and a business mentor to guide students through career choice
- Student organizations for students interested in international business include International Business Student Network and CIBERVets, for veteran and military students pursuing careers in international business
- Strong partnerships with the international business community generate IB internships and job opportunities for MSIB students
You'll gain the knowledge and skills to lead and manage international business operations. Specifically, you'll learn transformational technologies such as blockchain in the global supply chain and practices driving international business such as global buy, global transport, and global pay.
You'll have full access to our Business Career Center team for life. With over 10 years of recruiting and advising experience, they'll help you navigate your way through the corporate recruiting process. Our connections to over 300 business partners provide exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders. Their services include:
- Career workshops – perfect your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search process
- Individual appointments – explore what your personal career path looks like, review your resume, or schedule a mock interview
- Career events – hone your networking skills and meet hiring managers from top companies
- Job announcements – monthly emails with the latest job and internship opportunities specific to your degree
The Master in International Business curriculum consists of 30 hours of international business electives as well as learning and immersion courses. There may be prerequisites that could be waived based on prior business education.
Business prerequisites
Depending on the courses you choose, you may have to take prerequisites to gain the knowledge to be successful in the course. Prerequisites may be waived if you have completed an equivalent undergraduate or graduate course from an accredited institution.
International business core (15 hours)
Through these courses, you'll build a strong foundation in the environment and operations of international business, while gaining a breadth of knowledge across various functional disciplines and global business strategies.
- International entrepreneurship
- Introduction to International Business
- Trade Finance and Payments in International Business
- Transformative Technologies Impacting Globalization
- Special Topics in International Business
International Business Electives (9 hours)
- Innovation in Fintech
- International Business Negotiations and Transactions
- Marketing Challenges at the Global Frontier
- International Accounting
- International Financial Management
- International Business Consulting
- Supply Chain Analytics
- Global Climate Change
Global Action—Learning and Immersion Courses (6 hours)
- Internship
- Global Study Topics
- International Business Consulting
- Special Topics
- Independent Study
- Pre-approved Travel Study course
Class options are online and evening (hybrid). Your online courses are taught by the same professors and lecturers that teach on campus. We also offer hybrid courses in the evening for those working full-time.
Online courses are asynchronous, meaning there is no specific meeting day/time. Hybrid courses combine in-person and online learning. The in-person experience typically occurs once a week, from 6:30-9:15 p.m., one evening between Monday and Thursday. There will be at least six in-person meetings during the 8-week session, complemented by asynchronous content.
Most graduate courses are offered as an 8-week session within the 16-week fall and spring semesters. Graduate courses in the summer semester extend for the entire semester, which is an 8-week session as well.
National research shows increased graduation rates among students taking courses in an 8-week session. The data on 8-week courses shows increased student success and course completion rates. The course material is condensed into eight weeks. So, while the weekly workload is greater, you can complete the course in half the time! It is recommended to take one course per each 8-week session, particularly if you work full-time, which allows you to place your focus on just that course.
Additionally, offering courses in 8-week sessions every semester enables you to balance and manage life responsibilities while still prioritizing your education. For instance, if you have a vacation, family commitment or business trip occurring in the first 8-week session, you can choose to enroll only in a course offered in the second eight-week session.
MS International Business
Value 1: Apply a Global Mindset
Outcome: Identify, describe and evaluate how various forces, such as culture, geopolitics, technology, economics and laws, impact the conduct of business across borders.
Value 2: Demonstrate International Business Expertise
Outcome: Define and analyze problems in functional areas of International Business.
Value 3: Excel in Cross-Cultural Contexts
Outcome (for consulting course): Match market opportunities with learned international business resources.
Outcome (for field trip): Compare and contrast business environments and operations across cultures in an applied context.
These objectives are assessed in relevant courses across the curriculum using projects, presentations, assignments and exam questions.
International Business jobs are found in corporate, public sector and non-profit organizations. Many companies either currently conduct business internationally or are considering it. Knowledge gained in your program can be used across many different functional areas.
Career areas include:
- Global e-commerce
- Global supply chain
- Global risk management
- International trade/import/export
- International entrepreneurship
- International finance
- International marketing
- International accounting
- Global human resources
- International management and operations
Pathways to International Internships and Employment, a featured program of IIB/CIBER, provides MSIB students the opportunity to connect with the international business community to find internships and employment. Contact us to set up your first meeting and see how we can help or look through a few recent graduates’ jobs and internships.
Tuition
The cost of tuition for the MS International Business degree is different for in-state and out-of-state students.
Residents of western states may qualify for in-state tuition. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) requires that students maintain current residency of WRGP state until degree completion.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for students. As a current student, you can apply for scholarships every semester. Some awards are based on program and course enrollment.
Newly Admitted and Continuing Students:
You can apply for additional scholarships every semester of enrollment. Some awards may be specific to individual programs or enrollment in specific courses. Certain certificates, including risk management and insurance, commodities, and entrepreneurship, have additional scholarship opportunities.
Dual degree options for Master of Science programs include all of our MBA programs and all Business School Master of Science programs. We design a specific degree plan so you get through both programs as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. The amount of credits in each dual degree depends on the amount of overlap between degree programs. Eligible Master of Science programs include:
- MS Accounting
- MS Business Analytics
- MS Finance and Risk Management
- MS FinTech
- MS Information Systems
- MS International Business
- MS Management
- MS Marketing
- MS Sustainable Business
If you are applying for both degrees, you will only need to submit one online application and pay one application fee. Be aware that you must meet specific admission standards for each degree. For more information about dual degree options and the application process, please contact BSchool.Admissions@ucdenver.edu.
Application Checklist
$50 domestic, $75 international application fee
Online application
Official transcripts from each college or university attended
Essay responses
Resume
GMAT/GRE score if required
English language proficiency—international applicants only
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit all application materials. Interviews are not a part of the admission process. To receive priority admission, we must have received your online application and all other required materials including transcripts and GMAT/GRE (if required by program) by the deadline.
You can check your admission status online through the account you created for the online application. You will receive a final decision by email within two to three weeks from the submission of all materials.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited United States college or its equivalent in another country.
- No work experience or formal business education is required for admission, however, you may have to provide a GMAT or GRE score if you do not have enough work experience, see below.
The GMAT/GRE is not required for this program
The MS in International Business program does not require GMAT or GRE scores for their degree program as part of the graduate admissions requirements. The requirements are a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or better from a US accredited four-year undergraduate institution and three or more years of full-time professional work experience or the successful completion of a graduate degree.
However, if you received your bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of less than 3.30 or have less than 3 years of professional work experience, you will be asked to submit a statement that outlines other indicators of exceptional motivation, such as solid upper-division performance, GMAT or GRE scores, and other relevant professional experience. The MS International Business admissions committee may require a minimum GMAT or GRE score for students that do not automatically qualify by GPA and prior work.
How Decisions Are Made
The admissions committee considers each candidate’s entire record of achievement. This is demonstrated through:
- Academic transcripts
- Essay responses
- Work experience
- Extracurricular and community activities
- Letters of recommendation if applicable
- GMAT/GRE scores if applicable
No work experience or formal business education is required for admission. However, professional experience strengthens your application. Candidates with less work experience can show potential through academic and experiential success.
For any questions, please contact our admissions team at bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-8200.
International Applicants
International applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in written and oral English.
To determine English Language Proficiency (ELP), you must complete one of the following:
- English language proficiency test
- Citizenship exemption
- Coursework completion
- CU Denver ESL Academy (Level 5) graduation
- Exception for certain visa types
For more details about the English Language Proficiency requirement, please visit the following page.
Please note for Business School graduate programs TOEFL minimum scores are 90 (IBT) or 575 (PBT). Our IELTS minimum score is 6.5.
International graduate applicants will have their academic credentials evaluated by CU Denver’s Office of International Affairs
Fall
Domestic Applications
- Priority: April 15
- Final: July 15
International Applications
- Priority: March 15
- Final: May 15
Spring
Domestic Applications
- Priority: October 15
- Final: December 15
International Applications
- Priority: September 15
- Final: October 15
Summer
Domestic Applications
- Priority: February 15
- Final: April 15
International Applications
- Priority: January 15
- Final: March 15
Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER)
The only CIBER in Colorado, one of two in the Rocky Mountain region, and one of only 15 in the United States, we have established ourselves as a hub of international business expertise. The Center regularly hosts CEOs, government leaders, and renowned academics as a part of their International Executive Roundtable series.
Pathways to International Internships and Employment
Pathways to International Internships and Employment provides MSIB students the opportunity to connect with the international business community to find internships and employment.
Contact us to set up your first meeting.
CIBERVets
A premiere program of CU Denver CIBER, CIBERVets facilitates veteran and military students’ transition from military life to civilian life and professional careers in international business. CIBERVets hosts an annual flagship event which allows veteran and military students to network with the international business community on a personalized basis to get feedback and perform informational interviews before applying to the companies’ open positions.
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Upcoming events
Attend a graduate open house, online or in-person information session, or a GMAT test prep workshop. Visit our events page for all upcoming events.