McIntire’s innovative specialized business graduate degrees and its hallmark undergraduate program are designed to create a wealth of opportunities for students. Immersive, hands-on courses offer transformative educational experiences that provide immediate value. Our faculty-led programs provide key business skills and fluency in many business areas.
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Faculty & Research
McIntire faculty inspire students to lead with integrity and purpose when confronting today’s grand challenges in business. Our bold and brilliant professors are also committed scholars who conduct cutting-edge research through seven active centers that serve as the School's nexus of collaboration and interdisciplinary exploration.
In addition to the lifelong benefits that come from an innovative McIntire business education, Commerce School students enjoy an enhanced UVA experience on Grounds and around the globe. From insightful student services that help connect you with your passion to specialized career support that provides real-world employment opportunities, there are countless ways to make the most of your present while investing in your future.
McIntire’s innovative specialized business graduate degrees and its hallmark undergraduate program are designed to create a wealth of opportunities for students. Immersive, hands-on courses offer transformative educational experiences that provide immediate value. Our faculty-led programs provide key business skills and fluency in many business areas.
PwC Center for Innovation in Professional Services
Back
Faculty & Research
McIntire faculty inspire students to lead with integrity and purpose when confronting today’s grand challenges in business. Our bold and brilliant professors are also committed scholars who conduct cutting-edge research through seven active centers that serve as the School's nexus of collaboration and interdisciplinary exploration.
In addition to the lifelong benefits that come from an innovative McIntire business education, Commerce School students enjoy an enhanced UVA experience on Grounds and around the globe. From insightful student services that help connect you with your passion to specialized career support that provides real-world employment opportunities, there are countless ways to make the most of your present while investing in your future.
The Global Immersion Experience (GIE) is an integral and required component of the M.S. in Commerce Program. Through this immersive experience, you'll learn firsthand the complexities of global business in dynamic regions around the world.
Every professional we encountered valued our questions and feedback, wanting to know more about our professional experiences before joining McIntire. Also, I was thrilled that we had dedicated time to explore the locations on our own to truly get acquainted with the new environment. In our own ways, we could see principles we learned at McIntire in everyday life.
Maeghan Holzbaur
M.S. in Commerce 2023
As we journeyed throughout the countries and interacted with more professionals, it was interesting to observe the idiosyncrasies that exist within the various cultures and business sectors represented. The opportunity to ask questions and draw connections to course content during the Global Immersion Experience was further evidence that a business education continues far beyond just your time in the classroom.
Eileen Lynch
M.S. in Commerce 2023
The Global Immersion Experience helped me identify international education as my desired career path. Much of what I learned through the GIE is extremely relevant to my career, and having international business knowledge provides me with a more well-rounded perspective.
Libby Randolph
M.S. in Commerce 2016
I think one of the greatest strengths of my M.S. in Commerce experience was working with people from other cultures. Working with people with different perspectives and values wasn’t always smooth, but that was when the lessons were learned.
Leigh Dannhauser
M.S. in Commerce 2015
The Global Immersion Experience has helped me break the ice with coworkers in my current role at Clarabridge. I actually work with a largely international team, so being able to understand cultural nuances and how to best work with others has proved to be invaluable.
Lani Hannah
M.S. in Commerce 2018
Foundations of Global Commerce
GIE begins in the spring semester with a foundational course in global commerce, which emphasizes the economic and social influences on international business. Through case studies, analytical tools, and team projects, you'll apply a framework to address the geopolitical, economic, and cultural forces shaping business today. This course takes place at the University of Virginia and lays the foundation for the intensive, on-the-ground Global Immersion Experience.
On-the-Ground GIE
In May, you'll leave the classroom for a faculty-led, multi-week visit to the boardrooms, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and markets of the region. GIE begins with a one-week residency in Charlottesville that provides an in-depth overview of your designated region. After the residency, you will travel overseas with a cohort of classmates on an intensive three-week schedule of academic, company, and cultural visits.
Locations change from year to year, with each global course typically visiting three to four major cities per region over the course of three weeks.
What to Expect
While locations change annually, each experience provides an insider’s perspective of companies and key organizations in the region, as well as an opportunity to connect with UVA alumni and to experience local culture. The primary objective of GIE is to provide the opportunity to apply business knowledge in a global context. The global course is not academic track specific, but focuses on how to do business in a specific region of the world by exposing you to a wide variety of industries and strategic insights.
GIE Course Descriptions
During the spring semester, students will complete 7 credits of Global Immersion Experience courses.
GCOM 7549: Commerce in the Global Context (1 to 4 credits)
A full understanding of commerce requires an appreciation of the context in which all business occurs. Commerce in the Global Context builds upon GCOM 7870 (Foundations of Global Commerce), introducing students to business in a variety of regions of the world as well as important topics in global business.
GCOM 7870: Foundations of Global Commerce (3 credits)
This course exposes students to the international issues, business practices, and concerns in their respective global immersion location. Prerequisite: Restricted to M.S. in Commerce students.
Disclosure: The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.
Example GIE Destinations
GIE locations are revealed in the fall semester. Students submit their top regional preferences and are assigned to one course. Locations change from year to year, with each global course typically visiting three to four major cities per region over the course of three weeks.
Europe and North Africa
Germany → Czech Republic → Poland → Morocco
Scandinavia and UK
Denmark → Sweden → UK
Latin America
Colombia → Peru → Argentina
Southeast Asia
Singapore → Thailand → Vietnam
Connect With Us
We look forward to connecting with you about your interest in our Graduate Programs and encourage you to be in touch with any questions you may have.
