GBC offers several options for MBA students looking to build a solid academic foundation in global business. Review the tabs below for more information. Send an email to MBA Global Programs with any questions.
Global Business Forum
The Global Business Forum (GBF) is an engaging MBA class and discussion forum where professionals from around the world share their insights into the complexities of doing business globally – differences encountered, obstacles overcome, advantages discovered, and solutions developed.
The GBF is intentionally designed to connect students directly with global business leaders. Students are offered opportunities to lead Q&A discussions, summarize presentations for speaker follow-up, and engage in 1:1 meaningful conversations with speakers.
Who can participate in GBF?
MBAs, graduate students from other UW departments, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate. Enrollment for credit in the Global Business Forum (IBUS 500) during two academic quarters, for Full-time MBAs and Evening MBAs, is a requirement for the Global Business Program Certificate.
GBF schedule
The Global Business Forum takes place Mondays, 5:00-5:50 PM. Each quarter offers diverse discussions under a uniting global business theme. Christina Fong is the lead faculty for GBF.
Fall 2024: International Trade and Geopolitical Dynamics
This quarter will explore how international trade and geopolitical dynamics impact global organizations. We will invite leaders from public and private sectors to untangle the complex relationships between trade and politics to answer questions such as: How do government and corporate leaders anticipate, respond to, and impact political events around the world? How do companies leverage and mitigate risks associated with trade disruptions? How will global businesses respond to US political events (such as the November presidential election)?
Winter 2025: Global Approaches to Fashion and Lifestyle
Globally, the clothing industry employs more than 300 million people along the value chain (MacArthur Foundation 2019). In 2020 the World Economic Forum reported that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions. Fashion and lifestyle is a growing industry with global implications for people, planet, and profits. GBF will invite a diverse portfolio of speakers to discuss how the fashion industry is impacting global economies and to explore how multinational companies integrate diversity in cultural aesthetics and lifestyles into their product offerings, marketing, and design decisions.
Spring 2025: Doing Business with India
According to a Bloomberg report released in spring 2024, India is projected to be the third largest economy in the world by 2027. The GBF will host executives who have worked in India or have built and maintained significant relationships with companies in India to share their insights, perspectives, and experiences. Speakers will be asked to discuss and identify opportunities in India, their predictions for the future of India, and how it will impact the global economy.
International courses
University of Washington Foster School of Business students interested in global business can select from a variety of elective courses in the Foster School, at an MBA exchange partner school, or in another UW graduate department.
Enrollment in international course electives is a requirement of the Global Business Certificate Program. A wide variety of international electives are offered in various UW graduate departments including the Jackson School of International Studies, Evans School of Public Affairs, Department of Political Science, Law School and Department of Communications.
400-level international undergraduate courses are available at the Foster School. MBA students may take up to two undergraduate courses with pre-approval from the MBA Program Office. Check with Undergraduate Program Office for an academic course schedule.
This is not an exhaustive list; changes are made every quarter. For a complete list, contact the associated academic department or view the current UW course catalog.
To see descriptions of elective course content, view MBA Course Descriptions.
Accounting
Seminar in International Accounting
Business Communications
Crosstalk: Communicating Across Cultures and Professions
Business Economics
Competing in the Global Economy
Financial Markets
International Finance
International Financial Management
Finance
International Financial Management
Asian Capital Market Structure
International Business
Global Business Forum
International Business Consulting
International Trade Policy
Perspectives on International Business
Foundations of International Business
Cross-Cultural Conversations on Contemporary Issues
Global Business Study Tour
Selected Topics in Global Business
Management
Deal-Making in the Global Arena
Managing Effectively Across Cultures
Marketing
International Marketing
Operations Management
Global Logistics Management
Seminar in Global Trade, Transportation and Logistics
Course titles and numbers are subject to change. Current quarter course schedules can be viewed on the UW course catalog website.