MBA/Master of Arts in International Relations
The MBA/MA in International Relations degree allows students to complement their business education with the study of the role of ideas, interests, and power in shaping international relations.
An MBA and MA in International Relations is the ideal program for future leaders interested in a wide range of careers, including consulting, international banking, finance, and administrative management.
Chicago Booth partners with the Committee on International Relations (CIR), where students take theoretical and interdisciplinary courses in international relations and write a master’s thesis tailored to fit their specific interests and career goals. This dual MBA and international relations program requires the successful completion of 2300 units of course credit (+LEAD) and an integrated master’s thesis.
Program Structure
Students complete 1,400 units of Booth-only course credit (+ LEAD) and 900 units of CIR-only course credit over a two-year period. Over the two-year period, students complete Booth courses and international relations courses simultaneously each quarter. The summer of their first year of residency, students will complete their business-related internship, and the summer following their second year of residency, they will submit their thesis and graduate.
| Year |
Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Booth courses | Booth courses | Booth courses plus 1 IR course | Business-related internship (if applicable) |
| Year 2 | Booth course(s) plus INRE 43000 or INRE 43800 or INRE 43100 plus INRE 46500 (required non-credit course) plus 2 additional IR courses | Booth course(s) plus INRE 43000 or INRE 43800 or INRE 4310 plus INRE 46500 (required non-credit course) plus 2 additional IR courses | Booth course(s) plus INRE 46500 (required non-credit course) plus 2 additional IR courses | Submit Thesis and graduate |
Tuition
Tuition for the joint MBA/MA in International Relations program is assessed through Chicago Booth at a flat rate. Chicago Booth charges six quarterly tuition installments plus one course at the Booth per course rate as the full tuition obligation, which covers the 2300 units required for the degree. View more details of estimated costs here.
Booth Courses
This course is required of all Full-Time students and is completed at the beginning of the first year of residency in the program. The course is designed to enhance students’ self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness by providing them with an opportunity to benchmark themselves with respect to critical aspects of leadership—working in teams, influencing others, conflict management, interpersonal communication, presentation skills, etc. The course also helps students create a personalized plan to guide their continued development at Booth and beyond.
Basic Courses: Financial Accounting
Advanced Alternatives: Accounting & Financial Analysis 1, Accounting & Financial Analysis II, Financial Statement Analysis
Basic Courses: Microeconomics, Advanced Microeconomic Analysis, Accelerated Microeconomics
Advanced Alternatives: Topics in Microeconomics Theory
Basic Courses: Business Statistics, Applied Regression Analysis
Advanced Alternatives: Analysis of Financial Time Series; Financial Econometrics; Statistical Insight into Marketing, Consulting, and Entrepreneurship; Data Mining; or any PhD-level statistics
700 (of 800) Functions, Leadership & Management, and Business Environment
400 Electives
Courses for CIR
Students must fulfill the full nine course requirements of the CIR program. To facilitate the writing of the master’s paper, students must complete all noncredit CIR courses within one academic year with the master's paper submitted and approved no later than the Summer Quarter of said academic year. The noncredit courses are as follows: INRE 30000 Perspectives on International Relations (Autumn Quarter only) and INRE 46500 MA Thesis Workshop (both Winter and Spring Quarters only). For detailed information regarding CIR’s curriculum, please visit the program’s website or direct your inquiries to CIR admission.
Admissions Process
Individuals interested in this joint-degree program need to apply to Chicago Booth during Round One or Round Two. There is an additional essay that you will be required to write at that time. We will review your application and then send it to CIR for review. You will find out if you received admission to the joint degree program at the admissions decision deadline of whichever round you apply. Admissions decisions are made completely independent of one another. If you have specific questions regarding the CIR program, please reach out to the program’s office.
First-year Booth students considering a joint-degree should take careful note of the number of elective units allowed for joint-degree students, as to not exceed the limit (400 units) in the first year of their MBA. There are important tuition implications for exceeding your elective limit. Please consult with your Academic advisor.