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An MBA 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. If a student takes more than 2200 units, they will be assessed the per course rate for any additional units. View more details of estimated costs here.

Booth Courses

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 Chicago Booth at the admissions decision deadline of whichever round you apply. Please note that you will find out if you have been admitted to the CIR program at the Round Two admissions decision deadline even if you applied for the joint program during Round One. 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.
Apply to Booth

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.