Dual Degree Program

Overview As a world leader in international business education, Florida International University’s Chapman Graduate School of Business has helped create a network of partner schools that offers graduate students a unique opportunity to earn complementary business degrees in two different countries. At the conclusion of the program, a participating student receives an MBA from their “home” business school and a Master of International Business (MIB) degree from Florida International University’s Chapman School. The program also works in reverse, with the Chapman Graduate School’s MIB students able to complete an MBA in one of the partner institutions.  The reciprocal agreements between partner schools recognize credits earned by students at both institutions and provide an integrated structure so that students can seamlessly transition and acquire a second degree. Highlights The Dual Degree Program has many advantages over conventional exchange programs: You get a deeper exposure to international business by living and studying in a different culture and business environment for at least 8-9 months. By earning two complementary degrees in two different locales, you gain access to two networks of business contacts and colleagues and exposure to two sets of potential employers. It is faster and less expensive than pursuing two separate degrees sequentially. It allows you to tailor your educational experience to your specific career objectives. Unique Features With the Chapman Graduate School’s extraordinary reputation for excellence in international business education, an MIB degree from the Florida International University is a widely-recognized and valuable professional credential. In addition, the Dual Degree Program offers you: A multinational learning environment. Between the diverse international backgrounds of the Dual Degree Program’s students, the MIB’s international faculty in the Chapman School, and the international faculty at our partner institutions, the Dual Degree Program offers you a truly international educational experience. A cohesive curriculum. Curricula between the two schools is integrated because the “home” university determines the minimum requirements for you to receive its (MBA) degree and the Chapman School adapts to these requirements by specifying its own requirements (for earning the MIB). The option, as an international student, to apply for a twelve-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) at a U.S.-based corporation once you have earned your dual degrees. Integrated Curricula The diagram below illustrates how the program works for students starting at one of our partner schools and then transferring to our Chapman School’s MIB program.  You need only complete the solid segments of the respective programs, as indicated by the red arrows. Participating Schools The map below indicates the location of all current partners to the network.  By clicking on their names, you can access their web sites directly. Additional partners are being developed in Asia and Europe to be added within one to two years. The long-term goal is to have thirty partners in the network across all major geographic areas. Admission Requirements Under the Dual Degree Program, the Chapman Graduate School of Business accepts MBA students into its MIB program after they have completed the core courses portion of their studies at the partner school. In addition, the Chapman School welcomes applicants who have completed the partner school’s MBA program within the last two years. The general admission requirements are: a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university a score of 580 or better on the TOEFL (237 on the computer based test) successful completion of the first year of the MBA or equivalent program at the partner school, including a GPA (cumulative grade point average) of 3.25 out of 4, or its equivalent value, in these courses, or as otherwise established in the dual degree agreement with the partner university. a command of all basic business subjects, such as accounting, finance, marketing, statistics computer skills, human resource management, etc., is necessary prior to attending the program a letter of recommendation from the dean or the director of the program at the partner school a current resume of past professional experience. Dual Degree Program Requirements Participants in the Dual Degree (MBA-MIB) Program need to complete 24 credit-hours of graduate coursework in the Chapman Graduate School of Business to earn the MIB degree. This course load can be achieved easily within two semesters, that is, within a total elapsed time of eight months. The curriculum includes at least seven courses of three credits each and three one-credit professional development seminars. If appropriate, the MIB program’s faculty director may allow students to take additional courses. The Chapman School grants each participant a maximum of twelve credit-hours towards the completion of the MIB degree for work done at the partner school. Similarly, the partner school is expected to approve credit for the work done at Chapman School towards its own MBA degree. Given the flexibility of the MIB program’s schedule, students in the Dual Degree Program have a wide variety of courses to select from in order to satisfy these requirements. In addition, they may start their studies at the Chapman School at any of our three terms: fall (late August), spring (early January) or summer (mid-May). Optional Practical Training (OPT) Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an opportunity for international students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom in an actual work situation off campus. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) authorizes such Optional Practical Training experience for foreign students in U.S. graduate degree programs. This authorization, which can take up to 90 days to obtain, allows a maximum of twelve months of work experience for at least nine consecutive months for holders of a valid F-1 visa. Students in the Dual Degree Program may use some or all of their available twelve months of practical training during their course of study or save the full twelve months to use after graduation. They may apply for the training 120 days before their employment start date but no later than 60 days after graduation or after the last time they registered for courses. The employment must be directly related to a student’s major area of study and must be equivalent to his or her educational level. Students are allowed to change jobs during the 12-month period. Tuition, Fees and Costs For the purposes of this Dual Degree Program, the partner school’s students will be assessed a tuition fee at a rate arranged bilaterally between both institutions. These rates will depend on the number of courses taken by each student, the number of participating students, and the current student rates at Florida International University. A contract to this effect has been established between each partner school and the College of Business Administration’s Chapman Graduate School of Business. An estimate of cost-of-living expenses, including housing, food, transportation, books and materials, and personal expenses is approximately $1,000 per month, or $8,000 for the eight-month duration of the academic program in Miami. As expected, this amount will vary according to each individual’s preferences and circumstances. For More Information For more information, contact Anna Pietraszek in the Dual Degree Program, at 305-348-3279 or e-mail her at anna.pietraszek@fiu.edu.