INTERNATIONAL MBA (IMBA)

International MBA (iMBA)

The International MBA (affectionately known by alumni as IBEAR) is an accelerated, one-year, full-time, international program for mid-career professionals. The Program immerses participants in the complexities of international business and includes a four-month consulting project that involves close collaboration with peers, faculty, and clients to solve real-world business issues in a global economy defined by constant change.

The typical iMBA class is comprised of 55 participants from 12 to 15 countries. On average, participants are 36 years old and have 12 years of work experience; 80% are in the 32 to 40 age range. One-third of participants are sponsored by companies and family-owned businesses and two-thirds are self-sponsored. Established in 1978, the IBEAR program has over 2,100 alumni from 60 countries.
Pictured: Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, at USC for the iMBA's 2022 Global Leadership Forum with the IMBA-44 class, March 2022.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

The iMBA is a “double-time” program that enables students to earn an MBA in 12 months. Participants complete 19 courses and earn 56 credits over 6 intense 8-week terms.
The 12-month program includes core courses, electives, professional development retreats, domestic and international experiential learning trips, and a 4-month long management consulting project. Courses are taught by faculty who have substantial international business expertise.
The curriculum is designed to provide flexibility and choice to allow students to pursue a career of their choice. Whether a student is looking to make a career change or to advance in their industry, iMBA allows professionals to pursue a specialization that will advance their career.
iMBA students take 56 units over 12 months starting in June. (As a point of comparison, in Two-Year MBA program students take 63 units over 22 months.) iMBA’s 56 units are comprised of 17 units of required courses (non-waivable), 21 units of functional core courses (you may waive and substitute with an elective), and 18 units of elective courses. These elective choices allow students to customize the program for their needs.
The iMBA is STEM certified and prepares students to fulfill the increasing need to apply quantitative and scientific methods to business challenges. International graduates are able to apply to extend their 12-month OPT by an additional 24 months, potentially expanding their employment opportunities within the U.S. while retaining the unique cohort experience with iMBA classmates.
The iMBA Program is designed to prepare students for the dynamic challenges and opportunities of the global marketplace. Classes and research are combined with real-world experiences which emphasize interactive, hands-on learning.
International Business Consulting Projects (IBCP) incorporate real-world business consulting projects as a key part of the learning experience. IBCP is a 3-unit capstone course, it is a proprietary consulting project that requires the integration of prior coursework to make actionable recommendations to senior-level corporate sponsors.
The Experiential Learning Program (IELP)provide exceptional opportunities for students to learn from business and government leaders in international economies. The Domestic Experiential Learning Program (DELP) provides exceptional opportunities for students to network with business leaders in a variety of U.S. companies.
Executive Leadership & Professional Development Workshops are a required series of customized and interactive programs and retreats designed to augment and complement the academic curriculum. These activities are held on-campus and off-campus with some over-night stays.
iMBA students learn and work alongside peers from 12-15 countries. iMBA students study in cohorts which facilitate lifelong relationships with classmates, faculty, and staff. iMBA’s 2,100 alumni regularly help recruit and interview candidates, mentor and hire students, sponsor IBCP consulting projects, and do business together. iMBA alumni clubs are active in cities around the world and iMBA alumni often hold leadership roles in Marshall and USC alumni clubs globally.
Career development is an integral part of the iMBA experience. Participants receive highly personalized coaching from a dedicated team of career and professional practitioners with extensive cross-industry, cross-functional, international experience. Designed for the unique needs of mid-career professionals seeking career advancement or transitions, the career services team works closely with each participant to help them identify and achieve their career objectives.

The capstone course of the program is a 3-unit International Business Consulting Project (IBCP), completed in Terms 4 & 5. IBCP is a unique hands-on learning experience, which is based on a 4-month business consulting engagement. Teams of iMBA students work with their IBCP clients to build strategies and develop solutions for one their client’s key business issues.

IBCP may involve international and domestic research travel, depending on client's needs.. Each project requires deep analysis which is grounded in field research. The idea is to impart practical learning of executive decision making skills in a real-world business environment.

IBCP clients include Fortune 1000 companies, small and medium sized firms, and startups. iMBA students have executed over 250 IBCP projects on topics such as market entry, market growth strategies, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain management, finance, etc. in the U.S., Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Each student team is guided by a faculty practitioner with global consulting expertise.

APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM

Admission decisions are based on the applicant's work experience, academic background, test results, letter of recommendation, and application essays. Applicants must have completed a minimum of six years of full-time work, military, or graduate study prior to the start of the program. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit iMBA classes and discuss the program with current participants and alumni.

Round 1
Deadline: October 15, 2023 | Notification By: December 22, 2023

Round 2
Deadline: January 5, 2024 | Notification By: February 29, 2024

Round 3
Deadline: March 1, 2024 | Notification By: April 12, 2024

Round 4
Deadline: April 1, 2024 | Notification By: May 1, 2024

Round 5 Rolling Admissions

ADMISSIONS EVENTS

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Participant Profile

Average Class Size: 55

Number of Countries Represented: 12-15

Median GMAT: 630

Average Age: 36

Average Years Work Experience: 12

Advanced Degrees: 30%

Married Students: 60%

Undergraduate Majors

Business: 25%

Science & Engineering: 40%

Humanities & Social Studies: 20%

Economics: 10%

Computer Science: 5%

Pre-MBA Career Industries

High Tech / Engineering: 20%

Financial Services / Banking: 20%

Consulting: 10%

Consumer Services / CPG: 35%

Other: 15%

Participants By Region (Typical Class)

Asia: 65%

North America: 15%

Latin America: 15%

Other: 5%

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

Ranging from career clubs for professional networking, community outreach, diversity and affinity groups, and social and athletic organizations, iMBA students are able to expand their network to other USC Marshall MBA graduate programs and corporate contacts. Club activities take place during the day, evenings and weekends, and can include networking opportunities, social events and company visits.

iMBA Program students are encouraged to join and broaden their networks. Club involvement and leadership positions are also a great way to demonstrate to recruiters one’s skills and commitment to a specific career industry or function. Learn more about each of the clubs at USC Marshall by visiting their web sites.

GRADUATE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

NEWS + EVENTS

News: Two Indonesian Organizations Each Establish $1M Scholarships

DEAN GEOFFREY GARRET was in Jakarta to memorialize two $1M scholarships for Indonesian students aspiring to enroll in the IBEAR program at USC Marshall.

GO TO ARTICLE News: Two Indonesian Organizations Each Establish $1M Scholarships
News: Dean Garrett in Jakarta to Announce the TAMBA Scholarship

The Mochamad Thohir Foundation and the USC Indonesian Alumni Foundation are establishing a $1M scholarship for IBEAR students from Indonesia.

GO TO ARTICLE News: Dean Garrett in Jakarta to Announce the TAMBA Scholarship
News: Marshall and the Mochamad Thohir Foundation Establish the TAMBA Scholarship

DEAN GEOFFREY GARRETT was on hand in Jakarta to announce the $1M scholarship for 5 Indonesian students entering the IBEAR program.

GO TO ARTICLE News: Marshall and the Mochamad Thohir Foundation Establish the TAMBA Scholarship
News: The Mochamad Thohir Foundation Establishes $1M Scholarship for Incoming IBEAR Students

DEAN GEOFFREY GARRETT joined the Mochamad Thohir Foundation and the Alumni Foundation of USC Indonesia to announce the landmark opportunity.

GO TO ARTICLE News: The Mochamad Thohir Foundation Establishes $1M Scholarship for Incoming IBEAR Students
Marshall Develops DEI Leadership Training

Strategic DEI content, built around faculty expertise, now informs all graduate students at orientation.

MORE Marshall Develops DEI Leadership Training

ALL IBEAR NEWS + EVENTS

iMBA ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

The curriculum provides an immersive, experiential-learning based framework that gives students an opportunity to develop the knowledge, tools, and business networks that will help them become a global business leader. The Program’s dual focus on curricular and co-curricular learning provides students with the catalytic career boost they are seeking.

In order to graduate, students take 56 units over 12 months starting in June. (In the Two-Year MBA, students take 63 units over 20 months). Your 56 units are comprised of 17 units of Required courses (non-waivable), 21 units of functional Core courses (you may waive out of a core course and substitute it with an elective), and 18 units of Elective courses. Students can customize their program that best suit their needs.

This intensive double-time program begins in late June 2024 and ends in late June 2025. It begins with a required one-week transition program to assist international and domestic participants to understand the strategic importance of communications and interpersonal effectiveness. The transition program includes communications skill-building, team building, and activities for the participants to get to know each other and to better understand cultural differences among the classmates.

Core Courses (non-waivable)

GSBA 523 COMMUNICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT Units: 3
GSBA 529 STRATEGIC FORMULATION FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Units: 3
GSBA 543 MANAGERIAL PERSPECTIVES Units: 3
GSBA 583 The Global Context of Business (IELP) Units: 2
GSBA 584 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONSULTING PROJECT Units: 3
FBE 529 Financial Analysis and Valuation Units: 3

Functional Courses (available for challenge waiver exams)

GSBA 510 ACCOUNTING CONCEPTS AND FINANCIAL REPORTING Units: 3
GSBA 524 DATA SCIENCE FOR BUSINESS Units: 3
GSBA 511 MICROECONOMICS FOR MANAGEMENT Units: 3
GSBA 528 MARKETING MANAGEMENTUnits: 3
GSBA 534 OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT Units: 3
GSBA 548 CORPORATE FINANCE Units: 3
GSBA 549 THE FIRM IN THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY Units: 3

Complete a selection of graduate business elective courses (500-level ACCT, BAEP, BUCO, DSO, FBE, GSBA, MKT or MOR courses) sufficient to bring the total units completed to at least 56.

Get the flexibility and choice you need to pursue the career of your choice! The curriculum has been designed keeping in mind the needs of mid-career professionals who would like the option to pursue a specialization that will advance the career outcomes they are seeking, while retaining the unique cohort experience of the iMBA Program. Whether a student is looking to make a career change or wanting to advance in their industry, the iMBA curriculum will help them create their own unique experience.

12-Month Classic With Flexibility - This is designed for individuals with an engineering or science background. It is designed for someone who may want to transition into a business career in the future.
12-Month with Additional Personalization – This option allows for maximum flexibility and is designed for students looking to create a specialization in an area of their choice. Applicants with extensive academic background, professional certifications, and applicable professional experiences may waive required courses, substituting these with elective courses offered by the Marshall School and other USC graduate programs that are available to Marshall students.

The entire iMBA program is STEM certified.

A core of essential courses is designed to build the foundation with quantitative and analytical skills required of all leading executives, develop collaborative talent, cultivate innovation, build methodical skills, and expand the student's vision and ethical framework with a global perspective.

An individualized program of study allows students to acquire knowledge and skills in their preferred STEM-related disciplines. International graduates are able to apply to extend their 12-month OPT by an additional 24 months, potentially expanding their employment opportunities within the U.S.

STAY CONNECTED

ADMISSIONS

213-740-7846
EMAIL
USC Marshall MBA Admissions
630 Childs Way, JKP 308
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2633
PROGRAM OFFICE

213-740-7140
EMAIL
Marshall School of Business
3670 Trousdale Parkway, BRI 104
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0802

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