IBS is international to the core. It offers its students a global experience that prepares them to operate with ease across borders and cultures - in an environment that prizes diversity and the ability to bring a worldwide perspective to the study of business.
Curriculum
The School's curriculum is wholly oriented towards the study of global business, finance and economics. It is updated annually to take account of developments in the fast-moving world economy: about one in six courses are new each year. And all students begin their studies with a unique course on globalization, which introduces the main themes of the School and underlines its commitment to the study of world business in its broadest context.
Students and Faculty
The IBS student population is decidedly cosmopolitan. A recently graduated alumnus of IBS's MBA program has likened the School to an "Olympic Village" in the extent of its diversity. More than 75 nations are represented at IBS and, while English is a common thread, a plethora of languages may be heard every day in the School's Sachar International Center.
Faculty and Research
Research
We thrive on the excitement that leading-edge research brings to the day-to-day life of the School in discussions, classrooms, and conferences. The faculty includes some 20 scholars specializing in international finance, economics and business. Nearly all hold PhDs from leading US institutions and many are widely known and edit journals in their fields. Faculty members focus on several disciplines, but share a fundamental interest in international issues and typically have studied or conducted research abroad.
The IBS faculty is also diverse. Many are from outside the United States, and all have academic teaching and research interests that transcend national borders. The School's two research institutes are also dedicated to global issues: the Rosenberg Institute addresses global finance, while the Asia-Pacific Center for Economics and Business conducts research, teaching and outreach on the Asia Pacific region.
Teaching
Teaching is valued highly. The curriculum includes case-method and instructor-directed courses, and emphasizes classroom interaction. Classes are relatively small (40s for core courses and 20s for electives). Student evaluations average above 4 on a 1-5 scale. Our professors are not easy, but succeed by bringing difficult topics to life through skillful discussions and concrete examples.
Professional Practice
We are not just scholars. Our faculty also includes some 20 adjunct professors with extensive practical experience, such as Chief Credit Officer of a large bank, Chief Fixed Income Strategist of a major investment firm, and Chief Budget Officer. Their popular courses connect theory to the business decisions of real firms. Entrepreneurship is one area of active involvement for several adjunct faculty members, who contribute their expertise to courses and to extra-curricular activities such as the annual Business Plan Competition.
International Experience
IBS's MA and MBA programs are among the very few in the world to require students to have international experience by the time they graduate. Some of our students already have such experience when they enter Brandeis (if they have lived outside the US for at least three years, or worked abroad in a professional position for at least three months). Those who do not have such experience can take advantage of the exchange programs offered at one of our 19 partner universities, which can be seen on our Current Students Webpages.
Although study abroad is only one of the ways to meet the international experience requirement, many students see it as a uniquely valuable part of their IBS degree. Even students who already have international experience often take advantage of this option.
Centers & Institutes
The Asper Center for Global Entrepreneurship is Brandeis IBS's platform for exploring the contributions of entrepreneurship in different professions and across borders. The Center provides a wide array of learning experiences, brings entrepreneurs from around the world to the Brandeis campus, and conducts research on the structure and impact of global entrepreneurship. The Asper Center was established in 2006 by Leonard J. Asper '86.
The Asia-Pacific Center for Economics and Business, located within IBS, conducts research, teaching and outreach on business and economic issues in the Asia Pacific region and on US-Asia Pacific relations.
The Perlmutter Institute for Global Business Leadership, established by Brandeis Trustee Louis '56 and Barbara Perlmutter, will prepare IBS students for leadership positions in the global corporation of the future through a combination of theoretical and technical knowledge with pragmatic skills.
The Rosenberg Institute of Global Finance seeks to analyze and anticipate major trends in global financial markets, institutions and regulations, and to develop the information and ideas required to solve emerging problems. It focuses on the policy implications of economic globalization. To this end, it sponsors informal exchanges among scholars and practitioners, conducts research and policy analyses, and participates the School’s teaching programs.The Institute, founded in 2002, is named for Barbara C. Rosenberg '54 and Richard M. Rosenberg.
World Financial Centers Seminars
Each year IBS holds a seminar on a leading global financial center in collaboration with a local academic institution. The seminars have taken place in Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo, and London. Taught by prominent academics and business people, they provide an exceptional insight into the workings of global financial markets and institutions.
