Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and Walsh School of Foreign Service
International Business & Policy
months
2 schools
30 credits
Experience the Intersection of Business and Policy
Today’s world of political change, economic uncertainty, and technological innovation requires leaders in the public and private sectors to have the necessary skills and knowledge to learn how business and policy interact with and influence each other to grow and, if needed, transform their organizations to better serve society.
ACCESS THE WORLD FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
Our location in Washington, D.C.— at the intersection of business, policy, and international affairs—provides incredible access to the movers and shakers of the world. Whether we’re making an introduction in the halls of the World Bank or on Capitol Hill, attending Georgetown opens up doors across the globe. We offer experiences few schools can match.
BENEFIT FROM REAL-TIME CAREER PROGRESSION
Throughout the year, you can apply the skills acquired from the program directly to your role. As a working professional, you won’t need to pause your career. The module structure enables you to maintain balance while advancing and developing your skill set, empowering you to excel in your role.
AN ALLIANCE WITH A GLOBAL EDGE
Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service and McDonough School of Business partner to deliver an interdisciplinary program that interweaves the complementary strengths of each school. You will establish a foundation in global business and principled leadership alongside a nuanced understanding of the nonmarket forces that influence international economic and political relations.
A TRULY INTEGRATED APPROACH
This modular program is taught by top faculty from both Georgetown schools. Each module generally consists of one course taught by a Walsh School of Foreign Service professor and one course taught by a McDonough School of Business professor. In addition, themed courses are built into each module to provide you with relevant insights in different business and policy environments around the world.
An Integrated, Global Curriculum
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Introduction to the Global Economy
Examine the concept of globalization from both a country and company perspective. Explore frameworks of political economy, economic openness, and market access.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Analytics for Business and Policy
Learn big data analytics and evaluate how big data can be leveraged for better decisionmaking. Study the unique dimensions of global marketing and evaluate marketing strategies of global companies.
Courses:
• Business, Government, and the Global Economy
• International Economics and Business
• Introduction to the Global Economy
Courses:
• Principles of Accounting
• Big Data Management and Analytics
• Policy and Market Analysis
ONLINE
Introduction to Financial Accounts and Markets
Learn to value stocks and bonds using classic techniques, and identify relevant information and tools needed to solve complex financial problems.
The Asian Export Development Model
Investigate Vietnam’s decisions to open up to foreign direct investment and international trade. Vietnam, with one of the world’s highest growth rates, is an example of an authoritarian country attempting to open up economically while remaining politically closed.
Courses:
• Comparative Politics, Development Economics
• Organizational Management and Cross-Cultural Communication
• Globalization – Opportunities and Challenges in Emerging Asia
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM*
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Global Business Strategy
Examine the effects of political and economic forces on corporate strategies, focusing on how globalization shapes business dynamics across different markets. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategic challenges and opportunities that businesses face in an interconnected world.
Courses:
• Multinational Strategy
• Political Economy of Globalization
• Globalization & Developing Economies
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM*
Global Governance and Europe
Consider the possible scenarios emerging from current financial and political uncertainty in Europe. With issues such as “Brexit,” the Euro, and immigration, how can organizations prepare for the imminent changes to the most global institution of all time?
Courses:
• Institution, Diplomacy, and International Business
• Global Cooperation
• Crisis and The Future of Europe
ONLINE
Global Security Threats
Understand the pressing issues in contemporary international security, focusing on the specific issues of terrorism.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Future of the Global Economy and Graduation
Explore perspectives on the future challenges presented by market access, trade, investment, international institutions, currency integration, and anti-globalization.
Courses:
• Politics of Economic Transformation
• Future of the Global Economy
• Social Action Project
A Schedule Designed for Working
You will attend six, full-time week-long modules and two online courses during one calendar year. Four modules take place on Georgetown’s Washington, D.C., campus. Two more modules are held outside the United States in rotating locations, which currently are Brussels, Belgium, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This one-year interdisciplinary program designed for working professionals includes instruction in Washington, D.C., abroad, and online so that you can grow your network and advance your career without pausing it.
The curriculum is strategically built to include courses and skillsets that are in demand for both current and future jobs. It works to strengthen your quantitative skills, provide a general economic understanding of how policy and business are interlinked, while providing a business and policy lens applicable to numerous sectors of work and initiatives, such as operating a business, exploring new markets, or international development.
”
Veronica Alvarez Marchant
Senior Executive Assistant, World Bank Italian Executive Director’s Office
Working Professionals
9:00 - 10:30 Big Data 9:00 - 10:30 Big Data
9:00 - 10:30 Global Mobility 9:00 - 10:30 Global Mobility 10:45 - 12:15 Global Mobility 12:15 - 1:15 Lunch 12:15 - 1:15 Lunch 12:15 - 1:15 Lunch 12:15 - 1:15 Lunch 12:15 - 1:15 Lunch 12:15 - 1:15 Lunch 1:15 - 2:45 Global Mobility 3:00 - 4:30 Mod. Transition 10:30 - 10:45 Break 10:30 - 10:45 Break 10:30 - 10:45 Break 10:30 - 10:45 Break
3:00 - 4:30 Pol. Econ. of Globalization 3:00 - 4:30 Pol. Econ. of Globalization 3:00 - 4:30 Pol. Econ. of Globalization 3:00 - 4:30 Pol. Econ. of Globalization 3:00 - 4:30 Pol. Econ. of Globalization
10:30 - 10:45 Break 10:30 - 10:45 Break 2:45 - 3:00 Break 2:45 - 3:00 Break 2:45 - 3:00 Break 2:45 - 3:00 Break 2:45 - 3:00 Break 2:45 - 3:00 Break 4:30 - 4:45 Break 4:30 - 4:45 Break 4:30 - 4:45 Break 4:30 - 4:45 Break 4:30 - 4:45 Break 9:00 - 10:30 Big Data 9:00 - 10:30 Big Data
4:45 - 6:15 Pol. Econ. of Globalization 4:45 - 6:15 Pol. Econ. of Globalization 4:45 - 6:15 Pol. Econ. of Globalization 4:45 - 6:15 Building Your Personal Brand
1:15 - 2:45 Big Data 1:15 - 2:45 Big Data 1:15 - 2:45 Big Data 4:45 - 6:15 Big Data 10:45 - 12:15 Pol. Econ. of Globalization 1:15 - 2:45 Pol. Econ. of Globalization 1:15 - 2:45 Pol. Econ. of Globalization
10:45 - 12:15 Big Data 10:45 - 12:15 Big Data 10:45 - 12:15 Big Data 10:45 - 12:15 Big Data
Inspire Real-World Change
CAPSTONE SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT
Our Social Action Project was a great opportunity to create innovative strategies and work with several multinational corporations to boost agricultural product demand and map out areas of growth in a global south market. It also helped me hone my personal and professional skills by liaising with different stakeholders, conducting on the ground surveys and interviews, gathering data, and providing our findings to local governments.
Laetitia Handal IBP’21
Project Manager, U.S. Department of Transportation
The Social Action Project, a cornerstone of the MA-IBP program, empowers students to apply their business acumen and policy knowledge to address pressing global challenges. Through hands-on projects, participants collaborate with local and international organizations to create sustainable solutions that drive social impact. The program not only enriches students’ academic experience but also fosters a sense of global responsibility, preparing them to be ethical leaders in an interconnected world.
Social Action Projects tackle a variety of international business issues, such as sustainable economic development, operations management, and technology innovation. Here are just some of the organizations our students have worked with:
WORLD BANK
WORLD BANK
Blue Jobs for Women’s Empowerment
Sea moss farming may offer under-appreciated “blue jobs” in the Caribbean economies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) yet also is a “green agriculture” that provides environmental benefits and could also help improve livelihoods for workers and enable women to better support their families. Students analyzed research to validate or refute whether sea moss production could be a viable source of business in SVG, if and where there is market demand, and specify the sea moss value chain. INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
Financial
Inclusion and Financial System Stability
Through an intensive study of four country cases in Columbia, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil, students examined the relationship between indicators such as education and ATM mobile telephone access and a country’s financial inclusion and financial system resilience. The analysis included an assessment of a variety of economic, political, and social variables to draw conclusions. INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
MASTERCARD
Data Storage and Edge Processing
Multi-cloud strategies remain the data storage preference among enterprises. A significant number of public cloud users are leveraging services beyond just the basic compute, storage, and network services. As companies adopt cloud-first strategies, they are increasingly creating centralized cloud teams. These teams provide centralized controls, tools, and best practices to help accelerate the use of cloud while reducing costs and risk. Students investigated comparator American companies for their cloud and data storage strategies in select emerging economy markets with particular focus on government data storage and privacy policies. They drew insights and recommended key strategy considerations in these countries to Mastercard managers.
MICROSOFT PHILANTHROPIES
Micro-Entrepreneur Digital Education
Millions of micro-entrepreneurs provide vital goods and services to people in developing economies, such as India. Micro-entrepreneurs contribute in important ways to their families and local communities. Students evaluated the potential of digital education to transform microentrepreneurs and innovative development interventions, which tend toward micro-credit. As a result, they determine the categorization and profiling of micro-entrepreneurs to facilitate digital education curriculum and program design.
STARBUCKS
Coffee Growing Soil Sustainability
Starbucks aims to store more carbon than it emits. Greener, more efficient uses of soil and precision agronomy technologies can contribute meaningful carbon improvements if done in collaboration with coffee farmers with the help of other stakeholders. Students studied precision agronomy technical providers to understand their resources and capabilities, their experience working with farmers in select countries around the world, and their commitments to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to help accelerate Starbucks’ carbon sustainability goals in global coffee supply chains.
MICROSOFT PHILANTHROPIES
EMBASSIES OF SAUDI ARABIA AND BRAZIL
Saudi-Brazil Trade/Investment Diplomacy
Students evaluated the potential for bilateral trade investment opportunities between Saudi Arabia and Brazil. Brazil is a powerhouse producer in agriculture and mining. Saudi Arabia needs food security and minerals, which Brazil could provide. Brazilians need fertilizers and investment capital for infrastructure, which Saudi Arabia could provide. Saudi Arabia is a global leader in phosphate fertilizer production and possesses extensive financial capital and infrastructure technical capabilities.
MEDTRONIC
Medical Technology Frontier Marketing and Green Sustainability
Medtronic is the world’s biggest and most innovative medical technology company. Medtronic technologies provide innovative solutions in many areas of medical treatment, such as coronary care with their famous pacemakers and Covid-induced respiratory care with their globally provided respirator. As Medtronic explores frontier emerging markets for opportunities to introduce their medical technologies and improve healthcare practices and outcomes, students explored potential technologies and management practices to reduce the company’s manufacturing carbon footprint.
“
My favorite part of my IBP experience was learning from my classmates. The diversity in thought, professional experience, and background allowed our classes to be rich in discussion. I learned so much from my classmates and fostered lifelong friendships.
”
Audra
Jackson IBP’21 Special Assistant to the President and House Legislative Affairs Liaison, The White House
Preparing Global Ready
Our students travel overseas for two international modules and also participate in globally-focused capstone projects, examples of which you can see below.
New Brunswick, Canada Port of Belledune: Regional Redevelopment
Mexico Organization of American States: U.S.-Mexico Medical Devices Trade and Logistics and NAFTA Reforms
Dominica World Bank: Housing Resilience and Community Development
Latin America
Medtronic: Medical Device Strategies
Leaders
Brussels, Belgium
Afghanistan
Afghanistan Evacuation: Management and Organization or Afghanistan Refugee Resettlement: Immigration and Employment
Africa
African Development Bank: Emergency Public Procurement Systems
Myanmar
Low-Income Financial Transformation: Micro-Lending to Women in Myanmar
Indonesia
Indonesian Ministry of Health, Frost & Sullivan, and Smart City Network: Health Information
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Career Management
The Executive Career Management Teams from the McDonough School of Business and Walsh School of Foreign Service support each student with advisory, coaching, and guidance throughout their Georgetown journey. Our primary career management objective is to enable you to realize your potential by helping you:
1. DISCOVER your strengths by understanding your values, leadership style, motivation, and aspirations.
2. EXPLORE your options by assimilating industry trends, work environments, and career paths and making meaningful career connections.
3. CREATE your future by developing and fine-tuning your narrative and professional brand to prepare you for the next steps in your career.
The career teams provide you with a host of interventions that are outcomedriven, customized, and highly focused on individual needs. They include:
• Assessments that can help identify your reasoning, motivators, and drivers.
• In-class sessions and special events on career topics and leadership that prepare you for the challenges in your career journey.
• One-on-one coaching that ensures confidential sharing and helps you brainstorm, practice, and prepare for your career transitions.
• Connections to Georgetown’s global alumni network so you can broaden your own network and explore new opportunities while gaining new insights.
• Career tools such as resume templates, cover letter samples, and best practice documents that provide you with the right kind of guidance to achieve your career goals.
“ ”
My MA-IBP experience was priceless. I come from a pretty heterogenous background. MA-IBP stripped away the safety of group-think — strangers from all over the world became family in 12 months — by creating an environment that is intellectually challenging and engaging. I now look at challenges with a global mindset and the impact on the population domestically and internationally. My employer also has taken note of the value
IBP
has added to my projects.
Branndon Jackson IBP’17 Economist and Senior Business Analyst, Exelon
A Global Alumni Network
Graduates of the program receive a Master of Arts in International Business and Policy degree that is conferred jointly by the McDonough School of Business and the Walsh School of Foreign Service. You will join the global Georgetown University network of more than 190,000 alumni with deep and varied professional experience spanning business, multinational corporations, and government and non-governmental agencies. Alumni also have access to professional alliances and over 50 regional alumni clubs on six continents.
195,850
North America
2,880 Latin America
4,060 Europe
300
Sub-Saharan Africa
6,550 Middle East, North Africa, Asia
70 Regional Clubs
The cohort experience is one of the most valuable components of the program. Working closely with incredible people from a wide variety of backgrounds and skillsets allowed me to validate my professional strengths, explore new areas of interest, and witness how successful leaders are able to turn their personal passions into careers. I walked away with an incredible network and close friends who are truly making an impact on the world.
”
Clayton Root IBP’21
Investor Industries, World Economic Forum
Lifelong Learning
We believe leaders never graduate. This thinking has inspired the creation of our Lifelong Learning Program, which supports our students’ professional and personal growth. Georgetown’s MA-IBP alumni have the opportunity to extend their learning and attain new business competencies for a lifetime. Through the Lifelong Learning Program, alumni may engage in educational opportunities offered by the graduate and executive degree programs at the McDonough School of Business, including returning to campus to audit courses from a select set of electives. Reconnect with faculty and peers while extending your professional network outside of your program and cohort.
The program’s blend of courses from the Walsh and McDonough schools is unique. It brings Georgetown’s strengths of understanding the impact of policy on business to the classroom. Professors used a balance of historical and contemporary case studies complemented with lectures and assignments. The program helped me build a portfolio of writing that I was able to use for interviews that led me to my current job.
Errol Pinto
IBP’21
Senior Policy and Commercial Lead,
Global CCS Institute
Having spent most of my career in government working in foreign policy, the business aspects of the MA-IBP curriculum really opened up a whole new world of information for me. I also sharpened my communication skills especially as it relates to cross-sector and industry collaboration. This program helped me refocus my career back in a direction to support what I truly care about, what excites me, and what impact I want to make on the world.
”
Sabrina Teichman
IBP’20
Senior Manager of Global Government Affairs, Women for Women International
Rafik