About Georgetown in Dubai

Dubai seeks to be the top international business hub. Georgetown is best suited to advance this goal.

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business opened its first degree program in the United Arab Emirates at Dubai’s DIFC Academy in 2023. But the story begins well before that. 

In seeking an international location to expand its programming, Georgetown McDonough selected Dubai for its growing prominence as a global business hub, it’s forward-looking innovation, and its commitment to sustainable, values-guided progress that resonates with Georgetown’s own mission. Today, the university has launched two of its top programs — the Executive MBA and the Master’s in International Business and Policy — in Dubai, helping to advance the UAE’s mission to advance its economy through a highly educated workforce. 

The school also offers opportunities for organizations to create custom-made programs for their employees and clients. And in 2024, it launched an annual conference to bring together top Georgetown faculty, government officials, and top business leaders in Dubai to discuss shared opportunities to advance the region. 

Together, we will lead the way for a better world.

What Sets a Georgetown Education Apart from Other Top Schools?

• We have built a legacy of excellence. For more than 200 years, Georgetown University has been educating students to become leaders on a global scale. We offer a rigorous academic experience that challenges students to become the leaders the world needs. And, we have a long history of earning top rankings in national and international publications across all of our programs.
• Business can, and should, be a force for good. Of course organizations should seek to maximize profits and shareholder value, but we believe this does not have to be at the expense of serving the greater good. Georgetown explores how to accomplish both in all of its programs.
• Globally-minded leaders understand the complexities of business. With a global perspective on the intersection of business and policy, Georgetown programs provide students and partners the context and understanding in which to lead on a global scale.
• To teach global business, you have to experience global business. We provide numerous experiential learning opportunities for our students to consult for and meet with top organizations around the world. Conversely, McDonough decided to fully embed its operations in Dubai to be a better partner to the region and its students there. 
• Business is holistic. A key value at Georgetown is the idea that we must care for the people within our organizations, personally and professionally. An educated and fulfilled workforce is a key driver of long-term success.
• Leaders never stop learning. Graduating from a Georgetown degree program means that you become part of our community for a lifetime. Alumni have opportunities to connect with more than 220,000 Georgetown alumni around the world across all of the university’s top programs, as well as programming that brings new trends in business to the forefront. 

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Our Expertise in Global Business

All Georgetown McDonough programs instill a global mindset in students. We believe business has no borders, therefore our graduates need to be prepared to lead in an environment where business and global affairs are interconnected. As a result, our alumni are ready to navigate the complexities of any field, either at home or anywhere in the world. Whether choosing to study in our Executive MBA with a focus on leadership and policy, our Master’s in International Business and Policy with a look at the intersection of business and geopolitics, or a Custom Executive Program tailored to your needs, Georgetown’s expert faculty will provide the knowledge, tools, and mindsets for success.

Our Values-Based Approach to Business

Georgetown McDonough’s values-based approach to business is more than a mindset. It’s part of our centuries-old legacy. Founded in 1789 by the Catholic, Jesuit order to educate the leaders of the newly founded United States, this focus on leadership and values continues today. We live these values through a focus on service to one another and the common good. Our students participate in pivotal courses like The Ethics Project and the Social Action Project to showcase how they can inspire meaningful change in their communities and organizations.

Our Future-Focus

Guided by the belief that business should serve as a catalyst for positive change, Georgetown McDonough offers academic programs, experiential opportunities, and research initiatives that encourage collaboration across industries to address society’s most complex issues. Through this spirit of cross-disciplinary partnership, McDonough works closely with Georgetown University’s other distinguished schools to explore the critical frontiers of tomorrow—AI and the  future of work, the business of health, and the business of sustainability. These themes are embedded in Georgetown’s Dubai-based programs and are the topics of thought leadership events and conferences planned for the region. As these areas reshape the global landscape, McDonough graduates are prepared to lead the transformation.

Accreditations

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Additionally, Georgetown University holds an Educational Services Permit from Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and has registered both the Executive MBA and IBP programs with the local authorities. In addition, the university is institutionally licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education and Scientific Research through the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), and its programs have achieved local accreditation, ensuring that students’ degrees are officially recognized in the UAE.