MS in International Relations and Business Curriculum

Designed in partnership with the School of International Service, the online Master of Science in International Relations and Business curriculum prepares students with the comprehensive knowledge needed to drive successful business strategy across borders. In addition to traditional course work, students complete a culminating capstone project and attend a global immersion experience.

Program Requirements

36 Course
Credits

Global
Immersion

Capstone
Project

18-Month
Completion

Course Outline

Core Courses (27 credit hours)

Electives (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Global Immersion (1.5 credit hours)

Capstone Project (1.5 credit hours)

  • Strategy in the Global Economy Capstone

Course Descriptions

ACCT 607 Financial Accounting

3 credit hours

Introduces the accounting model of the firm; the financial accounting cycle; and methods firms use to account for their operating, investing, and financing activities. Examines uses of accounting information; the roles of the accounting profession; and social, political, and economic influences on accounting policies and professional practices.

FIN 614 Financial Management

3 credit hours

Explores financial theory and techniques of analysis, including valuation theory, theories of risk measurement, managing the firm’s investment decisions, cash distributions, and capital structure; sources of financing for the firm; and financial planning and analysis. Prerequisite: ACCT 607, FIN 605, and ITEC 610.

IBUS 618 Manager in the International Economy

3 credit hours

The practices and principles involved in conducting the functional aspects of business in an international context; includes the study of the nature, scope, and trends of international business as well as the international monetary system, international agreements, and considerations resulting from the environmental differences between nations.

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ITEC 610 Applied Managerial Statistics

3 credit hours

Business decision problems can be characterized as situations in which managers must select the best alternative from several competing alternatives. Managers frequently rely on results from statistical analyses to help make the best decision. The decision-aiding tools that can be applied by managers to gain insight into decision problems range from simple graphic displays of data to sophisticated statistical tests. Students use real-world data sets and PC-based software to describe sets of measurements, construct probability distributions, estimate numerical descriptive measures, and build multiple regression models. Note: A college-level finite mathematics course is highly recommended.

SISG 761 Intercultural Communication

3 credit hours

This interdisciplinary course examines the interaction of people across cultures and considers topics such as cross-cultural communication; management and adaptation; intercultural negotiation; and how culture impacts conflict between individuals, cultures, and nations.

SISG 771 International Negotiation

3 credit hours

This course focuses on how international parties negotiate and create cooperative, beneficial arrangements even in a context of conflict, distrust, betrayal and even war and violence. A wide variety of international negotiations are covered by the course materials, including terrorist incidents, ceasefires, treaties to end wars, establish economic relations, and resolve crises. The special factors and problems that distinguish negotiations at the international level from those that are domestic or purely interpersonal are also addressed.

SISG 774 Understanding Global Economics and Markets

3 credit hours

This course provides an understanding of the main economic forces that have driven the globalization process. It covers the fundamental facts, main lessons of experience, and leading principles of micro- and macroeconomics and the financial markets without recourse to unnecessary jargon, mathematics, or statistics. Topics include the role of markets and prices; the economics of businesses; the features of labor markets; the elements of financial and nonfinancial investments’ essentials of money and banking; the economics of government finances; and the foreign exchange, stock, bond, and other financial markets. Usually offered: fall and spring. Grading: A–F only.

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Global Economic Governance and Organizations

3 credit hours

This course examines the global economy’s institutional architecture and the role major economic international organizations play in global economic governance. The course details factors that shape global economic governance today, with a focus on the history, functions, operations, and performance of key multilateral organizations including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, Bank of International Settlements, and regional development banks, as well as informal clubs such as the G7 and G20. Case studies include the changing role of China in global economic governance, and the increasing prominence of public-private partnerships.

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FIN 700 International Finance

3 credit hours

Financial operation of the multinational firm, including the sources of funds, foreign investment decisions, and international transactions and taxation. Also included is a study of the related aspects of the international monetary system, foreign exchange markets, measuring and managing foreign exchange risk, and international banking. Crosslist: IBUS 700. Prerequisite: FIN 614 or FIN 060.

ITEC 620 Business Insights through Analytics

3 credit hours

Students are introduced to descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics and to models, tools, and methods commonly used in each area to develop multidisciplinary business insights from data. They develop skills that enable them to present solutions to problems and provide answers to business questions in various business disciplines through hands-on exercises and a term project. The course emphasizes model development and the use of commercial software to manage, report, and analyze data. Grading: A–F only. Prerequisite: ITEC 610.

MGMT 609 Management of Organizations and Human Capital

3 credit hours

The effective management of organizations and human capital are critical to creating and maintaining competitive advantage. This course covers a range of strategic and tactical issues designed to gain an understanding and skills that can be applied to organizational structuring, creating positive organizational cultures, introducing organizational development initiatives, as well as strategic and tactical issues in leading and managing human capital.

MKTG 612 Marketing Management

3 credit hours

This course provides students with an introduction to current marketing management techniques and the tools necessary for effective marketing decision-making. Includes the principles of marketing, global perspectives on marketing management, financial analysis tools for effective decision-making, and marketing strategy.

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KSB 630 Global Immersion: Business Capitals Immersion

1.5 credit hours

Topics vary by section. Students travel to a U.S. or international business capital to more deeply understand the business community in that city and extend their peer networks, collaborate with professionals, engage with business leaders, and expand cultural understanding. During the immersion, students participate in a variety of learning experiences designed to build on the program curriculum and develop practical and interpersonal career skills. Repeatable for credit with different topic. Grading: A–F only. Restriction: MBA program.