Earning a Master’s in International Business Online
Should I Pursue a Master's in International Business Online?
An online MBA in international business can lead to a lucrative and exciting career. In fact, PayScale reports that graduates from this business study can earn an average of $88,000 per year. Depending on the job, some candidates report earning over $100,000 per year.
An international business MBA does not limit graduates to one part of a company, such as marketing or development. Instead, learners choose the business areas they enjoy most and build global careers in these sectors. Students who choose to complete an MBA in international business online enjoy flexible scheduling, allowing professionals to continue working and bolstering their resumes.
Learners who pursue these degrees should demonstrate interest in day-to-day business activities. Those with previous business experience, and those who speak languages other than English, often excel in online MBA in international business programs. Ideal candidates should also show a willingness to respect cultures and laws outside the United States.
Employment Outlook for Master's in International Business Graduates
Master's in International Business Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports on several types of jobs for international business majors. For example, many international MBA graduates become management analysts for global companies. The average pay for management analysts varies by location and experience level. For example, the BLS reports that the average national salary for management analysts stands at $93,440 annually, while those employed in Wyoming earn about $117,200 per year. The tables below show the highest paying states for these positions and how much more these professionals earn as they gain experience.
Top Paying States for Management Analysts
| State | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 380 | $117,200 |
| Massachusetts | 23,230 | $112,920 |
| New York | 42,510 | $110,720 |
| Virginia | 48,070 | $104,770 |
| Washington | 19,650 | $104,420 |
| United States | 659,200 | $93,440 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Pay by Experience Level for mmanagement Analysts
- Entry-Level (0-5 Years):
$59,000 - Mid-Career (5-10 Years):
$70,000 - Experienced (10-20 Years):
$73,000 - Late-Career (20+ Years):
$79,000
Source: PayScale
Master's in International Business Careers
Specialized MBA graduates pursue many types of jobs in international business, including marketing, business development, operations, and sales. Creative students may prefer marketing manager roles, while those who enjoy crunching numbers can become finance directors. Graduates with outgoing personalities may excel as sales managers, and big-picture thinkers might enjoy business development. No matter the area of international business candidates enter, students should prepare to work nontraditional hours and make frequent business trips to coordinate with colleagues in various time zones.
Business Development Director
Annual Median Salary: $102,768
Projected Growth Rate: N/A
These professionals coordinate several departments, including IT, human resources, and marketing, to ensure they all contribute to company goals. Directors require strategy, management, and sales skills that an MBA in international business can provide. Some companies hire candidates without advanced degrees, though a master’s degree in international business can help fast-track applicants for these positions.
Marketing Director
Annual Median Salary: $84,098
Projected Growth Rate: 10%
These directors work under the supervision of chief marketing officers or other executives. They oversee the details of marketing campaigns to ensure materials meet company standards and effectively sell products or services. These directors may manage marketing teams in each country where their global counterparts operate.
Director of Operations
Annual Median Salary: $88,835
Projected Growth Rate: 8%
Operations directors oversee employee management, production purchasing, and supply chains within their company. An online MBA in international business can help candidates gain the finance, project management, and negotiation skills needed for this position. Candidates should also demonstrate excellent communication talents and comprehension of the day-to-day tasks of international businesses.
International Sales Manager
Annual Median Salary: $75,909
Projected Growth Rate: 7%
Graduates of MBA in international business online programs make great candidates for this position, as they bring an understanding of how cultural and economic differences affect sales in different countries. These managers oversee sales agents, set goals, and design department budgets. In large organizations, they may manage international sales in one region or continent.
Finance Director
Annual Median Salary: $110,826
Projected Growth Rate: 19%
Candidates for finance director positions need budget management, general accounting, financial analysis, and employee management skills, all of which MBA programs can provide. Finance directors manage an organization's accounting and finance teams. These professionals also hire new talent, set goals for the department, conduct performance reviews, and ensure accuracy in financial reports.
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statstics / PayScale
What Can I Expect From an Online Master's in International Business Program?
Each online master's in international business offers unique opportunities. For example, some programs allow learners to further specialize in financial services or human resources. All of the top online MBA in international business programs provide similar coursework and pave the way for obtaining certifications.
Curriculum for an Online Master’s Degree in International Business
International Marketing
The process of marketing products and services can change drastically in different countries. In these courses, students learn to adhere to cultural norms in each market, cross language barriers, understand the economic factors that drive consumers around the world, and create comprehensive marketing plans for global corporations.
International Accounting and Finance
Degree candidates in these classes take the foundational principles of accounting and apply them to international markets. Professionals learn how different currencies, cultures, and tax codes affect the ways that global companies manage finances. These skills help graduates who work in financing or set budgets for the departments they oversee.
Global Supply Chain Management
These courses build the organizational skills required to manage logistics for any company with foreign entities in their supply chains. Students learn to analyze the global sources, transportation methods, and ethical considerations involved in these complex decisions. These classes also cover how government policies can affect corporate transactions.
Global Leadership
Companies that want to cross international boundaries and become genuinely global must promote leaders who respect cultural differences. These courses prepare students to lead global organizations with diverse teams. Learners also discover how to manage team members from around the globe, an especially vital skill for remote employees.
Capstone
These courses typically wrap up the best online MBA in international business programs. Degree candidates use acquired knowledge to complete a final project. For example, students may write full business plans or analyze existing businesses in order to fill their portfolios and land international business jobs after graduation.
Certifications and Licenses a Master’s in International Business Prepares For
- Certified International Trade Professional: Trade executives around the world recognize the prestigious CITP. Candidates take continuing education courses with the Forum for International Trade Training, receive diplomas of completion, and apply for certification. This certification helps trade and finance professionals excel within their field. New MBA graduates can complete this program to enter into international trade.
- Certified Global Business Professional: The North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) association offers this certification to professionals who work in international business and pass the exam. This credential helps professionals across the industry, including those in marketing, development, operations, and finance. Candidates can access preparation courses and materials through the NASBITE website.
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