The M.S. in Global Commerce is a one year, 40 credit-hour degree program completed in sequence at three partner universities across the globe. The degree is offered by the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce in partnership with Lingnan (University) College at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, and ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. It is designed to prepare students to develop the global competencies needed to excel in an increasingly complex and dynamic global economy.
The program is designed for recent college graduates who form an international cohort of students who live and study together for three sequential, required terms in the U.S., China, and Spain. Students complete required coursework at the three partner universities and prepare a final thesis project. The graduate business curriculum comprises global business topics integrated across the partner universities. The curriculum builds, course upon course, knowledge and expertise in strategy, leadership and communication, finance, marketing, global supply chain management, regional business practices, decision-making and business analytics. Students undertake project work throughout the year on multicultural and multinational teams.
The curriculum highlights the regional expertise and academic strengths of the partner universities and ties together critical themes across the year. Students have the opportunity to study at three top global business schools, engaging faculty and classmates from around the world and developing their professional skillset.
Fall: The fall term at the McIntire School of Commerce begins with virtual, required pre-work (August) that prepares students for their courses on Grounds (September-December). The fall coursework focuses on leadership and communication, corporate governance and strategy, quantitative analysis, business analytics, marketing, and a regional course focusing on business practices in the United States. In small teams, students develop their thesis topics, start their research, and defend their thesis proposal. Study trips to sites of regional interest enhance the academic and co-curricular experience. (15 credits)
Spring: The spring term is completed in two parts, with the first eight weeks of study completed at Lingnan (University) College in China and the second twelve weeks completed at ESADE Business School in Spain. Students are registered for graded credit at the University of Virginia for the full course of study, including both fall and spring terms.
The Lingnan term (January-March) concentrates on consumer behavior, international finance, global supply chain management and business practices in China. (8 credits)
The ESADE term (March-June) focuses on innovation, corporate social responsibility, cross-border corporate alliances, negotiations, and business practices in the European Union. Continuing to work in small teams, students complete their thesis deliverables and defend their final thesis projects. (17 credits)
In order to receive the M.S. in Global Commerce degree, students must successfully complete all required courses at the partner universities and successfully defend their thesis project.