One-Year Advanced Entry MBA

The Fisher International MBA Programprepares students to grapple with 21st century business challenges from international finance and economics, to social entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

Our Advanced Entry MBA Program typically lasts about 12 months (42 credits) with students beginning their degree in either the fall or spring semesters. Applicants with previous business study, a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree or equivalent, and advanced competence in a foreign language may qualify for this Advanced Entry MBA Program. Please review the advanced entry admissions requirements to learn more.

Core Curriculum (10 Credits)

All MBA students complete the International Business Core: a series of three courses distinctive for the international focus and applied approach to international business education.

1. International Organizational Behavior (IMGT 8501) is a foundation course focusing on the global business paradigm.

2. Global Business Strategies (IMGT 8651) prepares students to become effective business strategists.

3. The International Business Plan (IMGT 8681) is a team-based consulting project that students complete for a contracting company. Teams of students work with the sponsoring company, under faculty supervision, to develop a comprehensive plan for international business development. This capstone experience is one that students leverage in their future careers.

Competency Requirements (9 credits minimum)

Advanced Entry MBA students must demonstrate competency in each of the following 6 areas:

• Economics

• Accounting

• Finance

• Quantitative Analysis

• Operations

• Marketing

Students may select from approved upper level courses.  Students may waive certain topical areas if they have had two advanced courses at the undergraduate level within the last six years, or if they majored in the area as an undergraduate.  If a student has an admissions requirement to take an 8500 level MBA course, the course may be used to meet that competency requirement.  Credits from competencey courses may be used towards a specialization track as appropriate.  Please see the MBA Academic Advisor for approval of courses.

MBA Specializations

The MBA program offers a wide range of electives on business and policy topics such as Business Models for Sustainable Development and Social Impact Investment. Students may pursue a specialization in topics in business and public policy relevant to their career interests.

The Fisher International MBA program currently offers defined specializations in:

• International Finance and Economics

• International Marketing

• Entrepreneurship

• International Sustainable Business

• Business and International Development

• Localization Management

Electives (15 credits)

Electives must be business or business-approved courses.

Advanced Second Language (8 credits)

One-year Advanced Entry MBA students must complete 8 credits of advanced foreign language study in one language. Please review our admissions requirements for more details about this component of your degree.

Admission to the Fisher International MBA Program is based on a candidate's prior academic record, professional experience, GMAT scores and foreign language proficiency.

Admissions Requirements Overview

• Standardized Test Scores (Required)

• Language Proficiency (Required)

• Advanced Entry

• Joint MBA / MA in International Environmental Policy degree

Standardized Test Scores

All applicants must submit Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. We recommend that applicants score in the 500s or higher for consideration.  We receive average GMAT scores which range from the upper 500s to low 600s.

Language ProficiencyNative English Speakers

MBA students are required to complete 8-12 credits of advanced foreign language study as part of their degree program. The 8-12 credits must be dedicated to a single language of study (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, or Russian). Students must complete at least 8 credits of advanced language and may choose to select an additional 1-4 credits of language coursework or up to 4 credits of Intercultural Competency coursework.

For successful admission students must be ready to begin their language studies at the following level by the time they begin the degree program:

Spanish or Arabic – ready to start at the 200-level, equivalent to second-year college level.Successful applicants will have had at least one recent academic year of beginning language;
-or- 
one summer of intensive language the summer prior to enrolling in the degree program.

Chinese, French, Japanese or Russian – ready to start at the 300-level, equivalent to third-year college level. Successful applicants will have had at least two recent academic years of beginning language;
-or-
one recent academic year plus one summer of intensive language at the intermediate level the summer prior to enrolling in the degree program.

Test Your Language ProficiencyDiagnostic Test

Self-assess the level at which you read, write and understand your target language of study.

Placement Test

New students are required to complete an online language placement test prior to orientation week.

Non-native English Speakers

We recognize that many of our international students come to the Monterey Institute with sophisticated language backgrounds. Terms like "native-speaker," "fluent," or "bilingual" often do not accurately reflect the rich backgrounds of our students. In order to maintain the quality and integrity of the Monterey Institute experience, candidates will be asked to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the admission process.

Non-native English speaking candidates must provide evidence of English proficiency from either theTest of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations. Institutional TOEFL reports are not accepted.  However, students who have completed all four years of their undergraduate degree at a U.S. University may be eligible for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver. If you feel that you are eligible for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver, please contact Admissions for an application to waive this requirement.

Minimum TOEFL ScoresMinimum IELTS Scores

• Internet-based test: 79

• Writing sub-score: 23

• (No sub-scores below 19)

• 6.5 Overall

• No Sub-score below 6.0

Scholarships for Summer Intensive Language Study

The Betty and David Jones Scholarships offer the opportunity to attend either the Monterey Institute or Middlebury Language Schools to enhance their foreign language proficiency prior to enrolling in a degree program at the Monterey Institute. Languages include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.

The Kathryn Davis Fellowships offer scholarships to study at Middlebury Language Schools prior to enrolling in a degree program at the Monterey Institute. Languages include Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.

Advanced Entry

Applicants who have advanced language skills, significant professional experience, and previous business administration coursework may qualify for our one-year Advanced Entry MBA program.

Prerequisite Coursework

Advanced Entry students must have previous business study that satisfies the following prerequisite subjects and 30 semester hours of credit with grades of B or above:

• Organizational Theory (3 credits)

• Financial Accounting (3 credits)

• Managerial Accounting (3 credits)

• Finance (3 credits)

• Quantitative Methods (6 credits)

• Economics - Micro and Macro preferred (6 credits)

• Marketing (3 credits)

• Operations Management (3 credits)

Language ProficiencyNative English Speakers

Advanced Entry students are required to complete 8 credits of advanced foreign language at the 300 or 400 level, depending on the language of study. Students pursuing French, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, and English should enter at the 400 level, and students pursuing Arabic and Spanish should enter at the 300 level.

Students language proficiency will be evaluated during New Student Orientation. If students test below these levels, they will be required to complete 12 credits at the 300 level or higher for French, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese and English, or 12 credits at the 200 level or higher for Arabic and Spanish. In this case, 4 credits will be added to students' overall degree requirements.

Non-native English Speakers

Non-native English speakers must provide scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations.  If you feel that you are eligible for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver, please contact Admissions for an application to waive this requirement.