IBS BA/MA Program for Brandeis Undergraduates
The Program
The Lemberg Master of Arts (MA) is a two-year graduate program of the International Business School. Qualified Brandeis undergraduates who wish to earn the MAief may pursue a special track that will allow for completion of the MA with one year of post-BA study.
What careers will the BA/MA prepare me for?
The Lemberg MA Program has traditionally prepared students for careers in international finance, economics, consulting, business, and policymaking. It is especially relevant for positions that require strong analytical and technical skills.
Graduates of the MA program have accepted permanent positions with firms such as McKinsey, JP Morgan, Price WaterhouseCoopers, The World Bank, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Citicorp, Fidelity Investments, Goldman Sachs, GEC, Bank of America, ING Clarion Capital, Manulife Financial, The Nielsen Company, Evercore Partners, Boston Properties, Factset, International Data Group, KPMG Peat Marwick. Several graduates are employed by the central banks and finance ministries of the United States and other countries.
See more on careers for MAief graduates
How the Program Works
Brandeis undergraduates typically enter the program at the beginning of their senior year and remain enrolled at Brandeis for one additional year of full-time graduate study.
Students planning to complete their BA in the fall semester of their senior year should expect to remain in the MA Program for an additional three semesters. The University considers students to be undergraduates until they successfully satisfy all of the requirements for the baccalaureate degree, but history shows that BA/MA students benefit greatly from getting to know their Masters classmates and are advised to participate actively in Lemberg events in their first year.
Study Overseas
One semester in the program may be spent at an
affiliated foreign university. The timing of foreign study is determined on a case-by-case basis. IBS has affiliations with leading universities around the world, including France, Denmark, Holland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Israel, Korea, Japan, China, and Singapore.
Degree Requirements
A student's preparation for the Lemberg MAief Program should include:
- Introduction to Economics (ECON 2a)
- The Global Economy (ECON 8b)
- Microeconomic Theory (ECON 80a)
- Statistics for Economic Analysis (ECON83a)
Lemberg MAief Program requirements, beyond those also required for the Brandeis BA, include:
- Two years of full-time residency at Brandeis during which students complete 16 courses, including any required to complete BA requirements. The MAief degree itself requires specific courses in ECON, FIN and BUS. Certain upper level undergraduate courses may satisfy these requirements, but only if taken prior to entering the Lemberg program.
- An International Experience: semester study abroad at a partner university or working/living abroad for a substantial length of time
Applying and Financing the Degree
Find out how to apply and about financing the degree.
How can I learn more about the program?
Learn more from these two documents
Or
- Attend an Information Session held in the Lemberg Academic Center.
- Discuss the program with an admission counselor or with the Director of the Lemberg MAief Program, Carol Osler
- Talk with a current student to get a student's perspective on the program.
- Contact the Office of Admission if you would like to get in touch with a current student or alum.
- Visit program courses and seminars.
- Attend events at IBS, such as seminars by CEOs and other successful business people.Events are listed on the IBS bulletin board and this website.
- Discuss your plans and questions with your economics instructors and/or advisor



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