Dual Global Policy & MBA

With a partnership between the Maine Business School (MBS) and the School of Policy & International Affairs (SPIA), the University of Maine proudly offers a Dual Master’s Degree in Global Policy and Business Administration (MBA).

This Global Policy-MBA dual degree provides in-depth training both in business and international policy. The dual-degree program is intended for students interested in utilizing business skills in international careers focused on public policy, international service, finance, trade, and development, as well as students envisioning a career in international business and thus needing further knowledge of the global environment.

The course of study will normally take two to three years. It leads to two master’s degrees: one in Global Policy (with a concentration in either International Trade and Commerce or International Security and Foreign Policy) and one in Business.

Students are required to complete the requirements for a master’s degree in business and the requirements for the Global Policy degree. Six hours of each degree can be counted as electives for the other (i.e., a total of 12 credits can be double counted); as a result a total of only 51 hours is required to complete both degrees (rather than the 63 usually required for two completely independent masters degrees).

Note that neither program requires a thesis. SPIA students must complete an internship. The MBA program does have foundation or prerequisite requirements that can be met before matriculating or while a graduate student. This foundation consists of courses in accounting, economics, and statistics. Some applicants will already meet some or all of these requirements. For those who do not, the University of Maine offers accelerated online courses in accounting (BUA 400) and economics (ECO 410) for students without prior courses in these areas. If a student has not already had a statistics course in his or her undergraduate program, the student may take a statistics course from the University of Maine or elsewhere (online is a possibility). Once matriculated, the Maine Business School offer non-credit tutorials in finance, marketing, and management for those who need these.

Admission and Advising
Prospective students must submit separate applications to both the MA Global Policy and MBA programs at the Graduate School website (Apply Here). Applicants will pay only one application fee and may provide on set of supporting materials (transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, etc.). The two units will require only one standardized admissions test—either the GMAT (usually taken by MBA applicants) or the GRE (usually taken by SPIA applicants). The admissions committees of the two programs will independently review applications and make separate decisions. Admission to both programs is not guaranteed.

Dual degree students will be assigned advisor(s) from each program to ensure they remain on track to fulfill academic requirements. Advisors provide mentorship, guidance, and can offer lines of support, services, and referrals for academic and professional success.

Sequence of courses
Students can begin the MBA and M.A. in Global Policy program in any semester. Generally there is no proscribed sequence of courses, except:

  • The MBA program’s capstone course (BUA 649) should be taken near the end of the program and course prerequisites must be completed prior to taking the course.
  • The M.A. in Global Policy required courses, SPI 501 Research Methods and Methodology and SPI 510 Public Service Seminar, should be taken as early as possible, preferably in the first fall semester of SPIA classes.