Frequently Asked Questions

All graduates will receive a diploma from Georgetown University for the Master’s in International Business and Policy (with the same wording as the U.S.-based cohort).

The Master’s in International Business and Policy Dubai program is a 10-month hybrid graduate program consisting of seven week-long modules (five in the United Arab Emirates at the DIFC Academy in Dubai, one in Washington, D.C., and one at Georgetown’s campus in Jakarta, Indonesia.) The program also includes a social action project that is designed and implemented by each participant under faculty supervision. The modular format allows students to maintain their current employment and a manageable work-life balance.

Yes, the program’s modular structure allows for students throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia to commute to the program from anywhere in the region. 

The program is offered through Georgetown’s prestigious McDonough School of Business and Walsh School of Foreign Service, and students in the program receive the same benefits as students studying in the United States. This includes classes taught by the university’s full-time professors, dedicated career services, and access to the global Georgetown University alumni network of more than 220,000 graduates around the world.

Yes, both programs have the same curriculum with adaptations for living and working in either Washington, D.C., or the MENASA region. Both programs include the signature social action project. And both are taught by full-time faculty from Georgetown University and have dedicated career services for students.

Students in the Master’s in International Business and Policy Dubai program will learn from many of the same faculty who teach in the U.S.-based program, along with faculty from the university’s foreign service campus in Qatar to add more regional knowledge about international relations. Faculty will travel to Dubai to teach during class modules and will be available remotely to connect with students between sessions.

Yes. Throughout the program, students will complete one four-week online course between the in-person modules.

No, we do not offer graduate assistantship opportunities through the IBP program.

At Georgetown, we pride ourselves on our Catholic and Jesuit heritage, and this program requires students to design and implement a Social Action Project that addresses an issue of social concern.

The IBP curriculum is designed around a series of learning goals that include:

• Leadership
• Functional Knowledge and Stakeholder Value
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
• Communication Skills
• Values-Based Approach 
• Global and Diversity Mindset

No. Participants will receive all reading materials and syllabi about 30 days in advance of each module, which includes the assignments with due dates indicating when participant presentations or any written work and deliverables are to be submitted.

Depending on your work experience and familiarity with the subject matter, the amount of preparation time will vary. Students report spending an average of 12 to 15 hours per week on coursework outside of the classroom.

Individual faculty members deliver course content using different approaches, including case studies, lectures, experiential learning, simulations, and group projects. Teamwork is emphasized throughout the program. It creates a rich learning environment in which students are exposed to various industry perspectives and learn from their classmates’ experiences.

The program is a total of 30 credits. On average, courses are awarded 1.5 credits. Find out what to expect from the Master of Arts in International Business and Policy admissions process.

It is strongly recommended that applicants possess a minimum of three years of work experience and demonstrate the potential for leadership. We seek junior to mid-level to senior-level applicants who endeavor to enrich the business environment and who represent a variety of nationalities, backgrounds, and industries. International experience is preferred but not required.

We expect students to hold full-time employment throughout the program. As members of an executive learning community, students bring real-world experience into the classroom and are able to immediately apply academic concepts gained through our curriculum in their workplaces. However, the Admissions Committee is willing to review and consider applicants who currently do not hold full-time positions.

Students who are admitted to the program may apply for a deferral for up to one academic year. Deferrals are granted on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee once the admitted student submits a formal written request.

The IBP program only has one intake per year, at the start of the fall semester in September. 

Please review our admissions page for a comprehensive list of the required application components.

Applicants must submit a $175 non-refundable application fee, payable online via credit card or e-check. Please do not send a personal check or money order. You can also receive an application fee waiver by attending select events.

Please review our admissions page for detailed information on application deadlines and admissions rounds. Early applications are highly encouraged to maximize your opportunity to secure a seat in the upcoming cohort (if admitted) and for scholarship consideration.

Yes, interviews are required for admission and are conducted by invitation only.

How do I submit my official transcripts and degree certificate?

Applicants must submit transcripts from all institutions in which a degree has been conferred. An official evaluation company must translate all international transcripts in English. Please mail the physical transcripts to the address below or send electronic versions to: ibpdubai@georgetown.edu