May 14, 2024  
Graduate Record 2020-2021 
    
Graduate Record 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Master of Science in Global Commerce


Return to: Graduate School of Commerce: Programs/Courses


Due to ongoing uncertainty regarding health conditions and travel restrictions around the world, the MS Global Commerce program is on hiatus for the 2020-2021 academic year.

 

The M.S. in Global Commerce is a one year, 40 credit-hour degree program completed in sequence at three partner universities across the globe. The degree is offered by the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce in partnership with Lingnan (University) College at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, and ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. It is designed to prepare students to develop the global competencies needed to excel in an increasingly complex and dynamic global economy.

The program is designed for recent college graduates who form an international cohort of students who live and study together for three sequential, required terms in the U.S., China, and Spain. Students complete required coursework at the three partner universities and prepare a final thesis project. The graduate business curriculum comprises global business topics integrated across the partner universities. The curriculum builds, course upon course, knowledge and expertise in strategy, leadership and communication, finance, marketing, global supply chain management, regional business practices, decision-making and business analytics. Students undertake project work throughout the year on multicultural and multinational teams.

The curriculum highlights the regional expertise and academic strengths of the partner universities and ties together critical themes across the year. Students have the opportunity to study at three top global business schools, engaging faculty and classmates from around the world and developing their professional skillset.

Fall: The fall term at the McIntire School of Commerce begins with virtual, required pre-work (August) that prepares students for their courses on Grounds (September-December). The fall coursework focuses on leadership and communication, corporate governance and strategy, quantitative analysis, business analytics, marketing, and a regional course focusing on business practices in the United States. In small teams, students develop their thesis topics, start their research, and defend their thesis proposal. Study trips to sites of regional interest enhance the academic and co-curricular experience. (15 credits)

Spring: The spring term is completed in two parts, with the first eight weeks of study completed at Lingnan (University) College in China and the second twelve weeks completed at ESADE Business School in Spain. Students are registered for graded credit at the University of Virginia for the full course of study, including both fall and spring terms.

The Lingnan term (January-March) concentrates on consumer behavior, international finance, global supply chain management and business practices in China. (8 credits)

The ESADE term (March-June) focuses on innovation, corporate social responsibility, cross-border corporate alliances, negotiations, and business practices in the European Union. Continuing to work in small teams, students complete their thesis deliverables and defend their final thesis projects. (17 credits)

In order to receive the M.S. in Global Commerce degree, students must successfully complete all required courses at the partner universities and successfully defend their thesis project.

Program Prerequisites


The program is primarily designed for candidates with little or no professional work experience who have graduated or will be graduating within 24 months prior to matriculation with an undergraduate business degree.  With rare exception, candidates must have completed their undergraduate degree from an AACSB/EQUIS-accredited institution.

Admission Requirements


Admissions requirements include the following:

  • A completed online application form, including all required documentation and a $75 application fee.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Official GMAT scores sent to the McIntire School of Commerce (Candidates who have taken the GRE may submit GRE test scores in lieu of the GMAT).
  • Two letters of recommendation (at least one letter must be from a professor who is familiar with the student’s core academic performance).
  • Strong English written and oral communication skills.  Non-native English language speakers are required to submit results from one of the following tests (valid only for two years) with minimum scores as follows:
    • TOEFL:  100+
    • IELTS:  7.0+
  • A mandatory in-person or videoconference interview.

If accepted, a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 will be required upon acceptance and a second $1,500 deposit will be due in May. Both deposits are credited toward the first tuition payment. For more information or to access the online admissions services, please visit online https://www.commerce.virginia.edu/ms-global/admissions or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

McIntire School of Commerce
Rouss & Robertson Halls, East Lawn
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400173
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4173
(434) 243-4992 Toll-free (877) 349-2620
msglobal@virginia.edu

Departmental Financial Aid


The McIntire School of Commerce offers a limited number of departmental scholarships to qualified graduate students in the M.S. in Global Commerce Program. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need. Prospective students must complete a Departmental Aid Application Form and submit this with their application materials. Scholarship awards are communicated to students once admission decisions have been reached.

Grading & Academic Performance Expectations


Grading

Grades are awarded to students who are registered for and complete a course for credit. All courses are taken on a credit-basis only and students must receive a grade. The letter grades used on the University of Virginia academic record for the M.S. in Global Commerce are: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and F. 

Grade conversions apply for courses taken at the partner universities. Students must successfully complete all courses including the thesis project with a minimum 70 out of 100 at McIntire, 70 out of 100 at Lingnan, and 5 out of 10 at ESADE.

Retake Policy

A student who fails one course at a partner university will be allowed to perform a retake, where the student is permitted to make up necessary work or complete a retake exam within four weeks following the completion of the course. The nature of the retake work is determined by the faculty member of the failed course. Although the partner schools will work with the student to facilitate the retake from another school’s location, as needed, a student may complete only one retake per partner university. Successful completion of the retake assignments will allow the grade of the course to be changed in accordance with the partner school policy. Failure of more than one course at any partner university may result in “Enforced Withdrawal” from the program.

GPA Requirements for Graduation

Students are required to complete their program of study with a grade point average of at least 3.00 in order to graduate. 

Academic Performance Expectations

Good academic standing is defined as maintaining a 3.00 cumulative GPA. At the end of each residency in the U.S, China, and Spain, a student’s academic performance will be evaluated by the Academic Directors to determine if a student is still in good academic standing. A student not meeting the 3.00 cumulative GPA criteria at the end of a given residency will be placed on Academic Probation. A notation of Academic Probation will be placed on the student’s academic record until such time as the academic issue is resolved.

While on Academic Probation, a student will meet regularly, in person or through videoconference, with an Academic Director to ensure appropriate progress is being made toward degree completion. A student who earns more than one grade of ‘F’ in any term may receive an “Enforced Withdrawal” from the program, as determined by the Program Governing Committee.

Behavioral & Administrative Expectations


Behavioral and administrative expectations are outlined throughout the Graduate Record and include, but are not limited to, required class attendance, making progress toward a degree, and fulfilling all expectations implied by enrollment at the University (e.g., Honor Code and Standards of Conduct).

Student adherence to these expectations will be evaluated periodically or when a situation is brought to the attention of the Academic Director. If a student’s behavior is found to not be in adherence with the expectations, a warning will be issued to the student and a behavior modification plan will be put in place. This plan will include a timeframe for reevaluation of the student’s behavior. After a reevaluation is conducted, a student who has met the expectations of the behavior modification plan will return to good standing. A student who is still not meeting the behavioral expectations outlined in the plan will be given a final opportunity, within a defined timeframe, to remediate the deficient behavior and return to good standing. If, after a second opportunity to meet the expectations of the program and university, a student is still found to display behaviors inconsistent with the program expectations, an ‘Enforced Withdrawal’ may be enacted by the Program Governing Committee.

Attendance

Class attendance is required. Unless directed otherwise by the faculty, missing more than two class sessions per course will result in a significant grade reduction.

Withdrawal policy

A student may receive an “Enforced Withdrawal” for academic or behavioral reasons.

In the case of a voluntary withdrawal, a student must submit a written request to the Program Governing Committee including the reasons for withdrawal for review by the Committee. Reenrollment at a later date is not guaranteed. Upon receipt of a written request from the student, the committee considers previous academic performance, reasons for withdrawal, admissions requirements, and the required path toward successful degree completion.

Accommodations

The partner universities coordinate housing and inform students of the housing arrangements provided for each term. The accommodation fee is billed by each partner university. In order to enhance the communal, cross-cultural “living and learning” experience and simplify payments and leasing, students are required to live in program-sponsored housing. In most cases, each student is assigned a single bedroom in either dormitory or apartment-style housing.

Visas

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all required visas and travel documents. Failure to obtain proper documentation may result in a student’s inability to complete coursework at the partner universities required for degree completion.

Each partner university provides guidance on the student visa needed for their country. It is the student’s responsibility to apply, submit documentation, and pay the fees needed to secure the visas by the appropriate deadlines. The partner universities recommend a timeline for students to apply at the earliest opportunity to receive the visas in time for the program’s scheduled travel. For study in China and Spain, students apply for the visas during the fall semester due to constraints on when the Chinese and Spanish consular authorities accept visa applications for processing.  Applicants should be aware of this when applying for the program.

Consular authorities have the sole right to approve or deny a visa or seek additional information from an applicant.  The partner universities cannot guarantee a visa will be granted or assume responsibility for visa processing issues.

Insurance

Students are required to carry international health insurance that meets the requirements of the partner universities.

Employment and other Extracurricular Activities


Students may not engage in employment or other extracurricular activities in excess of what is compatible with a full-time commitment to master’s level study. No student may be employed for more than 20 hours per week or receive financial compensation or financial award for activities requiring more than 20 hours per week.

Course Enrollment


Enrollment in M.S. in Global Commerce courses is restricted to students in that specific program. M.S. in Global Commerce students may not undertake optional for-credit coursework outside of the program requirements.