Graduate Programming

New! 2025 Maximizing Maryland Graduate Internship Program 

Looking for a paid summer internship that aligns with your career goals? The Maximizing Maryland Graduate Summer Internship Program is your gateway to companies hiring Smith School graduate students for high impact projects in global business management, global marketing, supply chain, and finance.

Maximizing Maryland is an internship program where Masters-level students gain professional experience with a small to midsize Maryland or US company seeking support in internationalizing their business.

Application deadline has been extended to Sunday, April 27.

Apply through HireSmith today!

Eligibility:

• Must be a business master’s student at Robert H. Smith School of Business.
• Open to both permanent and non-permanent US work authorizations.
• If you hold a Non-Permanent US Work Authorization, you must:
  • Have completed at least two consecutive semesters
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Simultaneously enroll in the Business Masters Program Internship Seminar through OCS.
• Must be available for an internship of at least 30 hours per week during Summer 2025, specific dates to be set by the employer.

Who should apply: Students having expertise and wanting to gain more experience in one or more of the following areas should apply:

• Global Business Management: Developing and/or assisting with the strategic and operational planning, development, implementation, and assessment of the international aspects of a business. These might include business planning, viability, market analysis, competitive landscape, market entry, risk assessments, regulations, patents and trademarks, compliance, budgeting, etc.
• Global Marketing: Planning, sales, research and support functions to assess customer needs; evaluate opportunities and threats on a global scale, and meet corporate needs with environmental constraints and corporate goals.
• Supply Chain Management: Supply chain optimization to meet the requirements of an international business plan including evaluation of all modes of transportation, inventory, time to market, landed costs, and customer requirements, etc.
• Trade Finance: Assessing political and economic risks and cultural issues of the target country to establish the financial costs and viability. Examples might include solving late and/or non-payment from overseas markets, cultural issues of the buyer's country which may impact payment methods, money transmission methods, language used, credit control procedures, level of governmental control, corruption issues, sources of finance, etc.

Internship Training and Faculty Guidance: Students who are hired by a company through this program receive training and support from Philip Grove MBA ‘15 and CGBP, Adjunct Faculty, LBPP during the course of their internship. As part of the program, students will be introduced to international business concepts from the domains of global business management, global marketing, supply chain management, and finance prior to starting their internships. Follow-up sessions will be tailored based on students and their company’s needs.

Compensation:

• Students hired by a company through the Maximizing Maryland Graduate Internship Program will receive compensation through their employer.
• Employers are committed to compensating interns at the minimum of $17 per hour. Final compensation agreement will be determined between the employer and intern.

Other details: Placements of this internship may be in-person, remote, and/or hybrid. For positions in-person or hybrid, company locations will be within a 50-mile radius of College Park. Please consider if you have access to transportation when applying. 

How it works:

• Students apply for the Maximizing Maryland Graduate Internship Program through HireSmith.
• Upon applying, students receive a confirmation email from CGB.
• On April 28, all applications for the program will be shared with participating employers to review and select their top candidates to interview.
• Students selected for an interview by one or more employers will be notified on a case by case basis throughout the month of May.
• CGB will introduce the potential employer to the applicant to set up an interview.
• Students who are hired and commit to interning with a company are required to report this information to CGB so that they are officially enrolled in the program.

Learn More: Students are encouraged to contact the center via email at maugoust@umd.edu to discuss the program and get answers to questions. 

The Maximizing Maryland Graduate Internship Program is funded in part by CIBE, a Title VI grant administered by the U.S. Department of Education. 

The Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Student Pathways in International Business course is a one-credit winter term program designed to help students earn the prestigious CGBP certification, highly valued by employers nationwide. As part of the CGBP Student Pathways Program, this course offers an in-depth exploration of global business topics and prepares students to excel in the CGBP exam. More information about the certification is provided below.

Info session presentation

The Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), managed by NASBITE International, is a nationally recognized certification sought by employers around the country. It confirms applied knowledge in international trade and export management and shows potential employers that the holder brings the level of global expertise and professionalism that is required in today’s competitive environment.

The center offers the CGBP Student Pathways Cohort Program, a structured program intended to prepare a cohort of students for the CGBP exam and introduce them to and engage them with NASBITE International.

The program is comprised of a mix of four synchronous sessions and asynchronous study to prepare students to take the CGBP exam. The program offers facilitation by a CGBP professional, access to take the CGBP exam, networking and relationship-building opportunities, and NASBITE International Membership (a $75 value) which includes:

• CGBP study guide
• Preparation support
• Expert Helpline
• LinkedIn Student Group
• CGBP Practice Exam
• Other networking opportunities

Enrollment, requirements

• All interested students are eligible to register.
• Students enrolled in the program will have the option to take the CGBP exam at any point during their program at Smith or up to six months after graduation.
• Students will have to enroll themselves to take the exam and pay upfront.
• Students will be obligated to submit their results to CGB to verify their passing of the CGBP exam.
• If a student passes, CGB will reimburse them the exam fee of $195.00.
• If a student does not pass the exam on the first take, the student will not be reimbursed the fee for the exam.
• If a student does not follow through with exam commitment, the student will not be reimbursed the fee of the exam.

Structure

• The course will be held synchronously and asynchronously over the winter term and a student must take the course before they can sit for the exam.
• Synchronously: Students will meet with a CGBP professional four times over two weeks for two hours. The confirmed course schedule is below. 
• Asynchronously: Students will be assigned readings and other assignments correlated to each of the four domains of the CGBP exam.
• The final content provided and how each session is devised is ultimately up to the CGBP professional.

Suggested calendar/content:

CGB Presents: NASBITE International 2025 Student Case Competition

Apply to represent the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the NASBITE International Case Competition in Cleveland, Ohio, from April 8–10, 2025.

Apply Now

NASBITE is the leading authority and industry standard for global business education, trade credentialing, training, and practice.

The 2025 competition provides graduate business students the opportunity to solve a real-world challenge posed by a U.S.-based international business. The goals of the NASBITE International Student Case Competition are:

• To provide college and university students the opportunity to work collaboratively on a creative solution to a real-world international business challenge and apply their research, presentation, and networking skills.
• To provide the sponsoring company access to top international business students presenting potential solutions to their international business challenges.
• To establish a solid foundation for student involvement and participation within NASBITE International.

Learn more

Application Details

Deadline: Wednesday, February 5.

Applying does not guarantee a spot in the competition, but it confirms your willingness to travel if selected.

Team Applications: One student will register for the entire team, including contact details and résumés for each member.

Individual Applications: If you do not have a team but want to participate, apply with your information only.

A review committee will select the best team to represent the Smith School, either from pre-formed teams or individual applicants combined by the committee.

Upon completing your application, the Center for Global Business will provide next steps.

Funding

The Center for Global Business will cover registration fees, air travel, and lodging for the team. This is supported in part by CIBE, a Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Global Consulting Associate Program

Step into the world of consulting excellence with the Global Consulting Associate Program at the University of Maryland's Center for Global Business.

Applications for Spring 2025 are closed.

Program Overview

As a Global Consulting Associate, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to either the Maryland Global Consulting Program or the U.S. Market Entry Consulting Program. Collaborate with a team of MBA and MS students to provide consulting services to clients over a 10-week period during each term. Upon completion, participants will receive a stipend.

Both programs offer hands-on experience with real companies seeking solutions to international business challenges. The Maryland Global Consulting Program assists domestic companies in expanding globally or addressing challenges in international business, while the U.S. Market Entry Consulting Program supports international companies entering the U.S. market.

Projects may involve market assessments, entry strategies, distributor identification, and export distribution plans. After enrollment, students will be matched with companies based on industry experience, language proficiency, and other relevant factors.

Don't miss your chance to apply! For inquiries, contact Marina Augoustidis at maugoust@umd.edu.

The Center for Global Business reserves the right to determine the program and client that best matches the student applicant. 

This program is funded in part by CIBE, a Title VI grant administered by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Grand Global Challenges Competition

Earn a chance to compete in the Loyola Marymount (LMU) International Business Ethics and Sustainability Case Competition (IBESCC) in Los Angeles, CA.

In collaboration with the Center for Social Value Creation, the Center for Global Business presents the Grand Global Challenges Competition, a new internal competition open to all students, undergraduates and/or graduates, at the University of Maryland interested in how ethical and sustainable solutions can be applied to the Sustainable Development Goals and global business challenges.

Date: Friday, February 14, 2025

The winning team will earn a spot in the be provided the opportunity to go to LMU in Los Angeles, CA and compete on behalf of the University of Maryland in the IBESCC. Stay tuned to learn more.

The Grand Global Challenges Competition will provide a similar structure to that of the IBESCC as a means to help prepare the team that will compete in the IBESCC. The GGCC will test a team’s ability to apply ethical reasoning to practical global issues and recommend solutions to sustainable development in an international setting.

Competition Details

• Each team that registers to compete must confirm their intent to compete (if selected) in the IBESCC at LMU in LA, CA from April 9-12, 2025.
• Each team chooses its business-related topic to present. The topic should have an ethical component and be related to one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Please refer to this list of examples as context when choosing your topic.
• The presentation consists of a 15-minute live, virtual presentation, and will be followed by a 5-minute Q&A and feedback session.
• Teams should explain the legal, financial, and ethical dimensions of the business problem and then recommend a solution that would be viable on all counts. These might include:
  • Identify the financial impact of the problem and the financial implications of the solution. A detailed financial analysis is not necessary if there is an explanation of how (and to what extent) the problem raises or lowers the company's costs or profits; the costs of your solution; whether the company can afford your solution; etc.
  • Identify laws, regulations, or court cases that effectively restrict or regulate what the company may do. Significant fines or settlements may affect the financial analysis.
  • Teams will be expected to utilize a secular, philosophical framework that discusses ethics in terms of the tangible good and/or harm experienced by those affected (human or otherwise). Because this is a business competition, DO NOT use technical, philosophical terminology or cite philosophers. The ethical analysis is geared towards business and should refer to the organization's mission statement, code of values/conduct, etc. as well as the SDGs impacted by these issues.

Team Makeup

Teams can be made up of 3 to 5 students each. Teams can be made up of any mixture of graduate and/or undergraduate students from any program at the University of Maryland. Teams are encouraged to create multi-disciplinary teams.

Registration

One student will register for the entire team. Each team registration should include details (contact, resume, etc.) for each student on the team.

Register here

IB Trek in Maryland

The IB Trek in Baltimore is intended to expose undergraduate and graduate students to concepts in international business while highlighting industry right here in Maryland. Students who participated in the IB Trek in Baltimore heard from companies that range in size, industry, and sector and were introduced to the various ways a company does business across borders, business culture, and life as a business professional.

Read about last year's IB Trek as part of International Education Week.

Student Global Leadership Board

Join the info session on Tuesday, November 19 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to learn about how you can apply to serve on the first CGB Student Global Leadership Board. 

The Student Global Leadership Board (SGLB) is a student organization consisting of 4 undergraduate, 1 master’s, and 1 MBA student who would work closely with the Center for Global Business to represent the student voice in global programming. SGLB members will work closely with CGB, Smith faculty, and students to help shape and promote programs that align more closely with students’ needs and interests. 

The purpose of the Student Global Leadership Board is to:

• Represent the student voice: Act as a bridge between the student body and the Center for Global Business to ensure programs align with students’ needs and interests.
• Enhance Global Opportunities: Bring forward new ideas to expand and improve global experiential learning, including international business treks, case competitions and global networking events.
• Foster Leadership Development: Offer students a hands-on leadership role, where they develop project management, communication, and collaborative skills.
• Create Lasting Impact: Work together to shape programs and initiatives that will leave a legacy of enhanced global learning experiences for future students.

By being a member of the SGLB, you will gain:

• Skills in international education and student services
• Experience in program development and coordination
• A deeper understanding of international business teaching and learning
• A broader international education network 
• Interpersonal and communication skills 
• Access to leadership training workshops
• Recommendations for other opportunities

Required skills and expectations:

• Previous leadership or involvement in coordinating with students is required
• Self-starter and ability to work independently toward project goals
• Ability to pitch in fresh ideas in order to increase awareness amongst the students
• Effective communication (verbal and written)
• Project management skills
• Organizational skills
• Ability to meet every month

How to apply:

• Applications will be open on 19th Nov till before the winter break.
• Group Interview during 2nd week of Jan
• Board formation and welcome of SGLB in February.

Apply today

Register as a guest for the World Bank/IMF 2025 Spring Meetings through the Center for Global Business (CGB). Guest registration closes at the end of the day on April 11.

To apply, submit the required documentation with your registration. If you have any questions, contact GuestRegistration@worldbank.org.

Students who need confirmation of their university status and academic interest can request documentation from the Center for Global Business at smithglobal@umd.edu.

The MBA Global Business Treks are experiential learning experiences that help students develop two key areas:

1. Global Business Savvy Skills: Develop a deeper understanding of international markets, global economic trends, and the interconnectedness of businesses worldwide. Students will enhance their ability to analyze and navigate the complexities of the global business environment.
2. Deep Country Knowledge: Gain in-depth knowledge of the economic, political, and socio-cultural environments of the country of study. Students will assess how these factors influence business practices, particularly in relation to the course’s topical focus area.

By leveraging these competencies, students will integrate insights from their MBA coursework and professional experiences to position themselves as global leaders in an increasingly interconnected world. With destinations that change annually, they include a dynamic and impactful global learning experience.

MBA Global Business Treks include:

• Global Topically Focused Academics: Each course will focus on a country or countries with a concentration on a specific subject area (e.g., finance, technology, sustainability, supply chain, entrepreneurship) to develop deep expertise in that domain.
• Immersive International Experience in January: Engage in hands-on learning through company visits, cultural experiences, and faculty-led discussions abroad.
• Comprehensive Experiential Project: Apply business acumen to tackle complex, cross-border challenges in diverse markets
• Strategic Networking: Build connections with global executives, faculty, and peers while developing expertise in your field.

Open to second-year MBA, BUSI, BUSO and EMBA students.

Academic Year 2025-26 Portfolio

Doing Business in Asia: Supply Chain Challenges and Opportunities

Faculty: Zhi-Long Chen
Locations: Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Focus: Supply-chain management in Asia
Tentative Travel Dates: January 10-18, 2026 (subject to change)
Tentative Course Dates: October 26, 2025; December 14, 2025; March 1, 2026.

This course offers an immersive experience in Southeast Asia, exploring the economic landscapes of Singapore, a highly developed economy, and Malaysia, an emerging economy. Both countries play a significant role in global trade and maintain strong business relationships with the U.S., as well as major economies like China, Japan, and South Korea. Understanding business practices in this dynamic region is essential for students preparing to navigate the complexities of international markets.

Throughout the course, students will examine supply chain management strategies amid geopolitical tensions and assess the varying risks faced by multinational and domestic companies. Special attention will be given to the challenges encountered by businesses operating in a developing economy like Malaysia compared to those in a developed economy like Singapore. Additionally, students will explore emerging trends and best practices in supply chain and logistics adopted by companies in the region.

A key component of the course includes company visits in both the manufacturing and service sectors in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Students will also gain hands-on experience by participating in a consulting project with a local company in one of these cities. To enhance their understanding of the region, students will engage in cultural activities that provide insight into local traditions and business customs.

Doing Business in Brazil: Addressing Grand Challenges Through the Private Sector

Faculty: Paulo Prochno
Locations: Sao Paulo, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Focus: Private Sector and Grand Global Challenges
Tentative Travel Dates: January 10-18, 2026 (subject to change)

This course examines how entrepreneurs and private companies are addressing these grand challenges—including climate change, health, education, clean water access, and deforestation—while uncovering business opportunities in one of the world's most dynamic emerging markets. Students will explore Brazil’s strategic importance for U.S. firms, considering factors such as geographical proximity, shared historical ties, and a generally favorable view of U.S. investment. Through pre-trip lectures and company visits, students will gain insights into the global economic environment, corporate strategy in emerging markets, and the role of the private sector in tackling societal challenges.

The course fosters a global mindset by combining classroom learning with real-world application. Students will engage with startup founders, participate in cultural activities, and apply cross-cultural and business skills in a consulting project and presentation for a company in Brazil. This hands-on experience provides a deeper understanding of how business can be a force for addressing complex global issues.

Doing Business in the UAE: Innovations in Hospitality and Retail

Faculty: Judy Frels
Locations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, UAE
Focus: Hospitality and Retail
Tentative Travel Dates: January 16-24, 2026 (subject to change)

Over the past two decades, several UAE cities have emerged as premier tourist destinations, driven by high-end retail and hospitality. This course explores innovations in these service-scapes, examining top retailers, hotels, and restaurants, their target markets, and how innovations are tailored to meet visitor expectations.

By analyzing both the sellers (UAE businesses) and buyers (global tourists), we will gain insights into consumer behavior and spending patterns that may differ significantly from those in the U.S. A key focus will be on how a country and its culture adapt offerings to attract and cater to international visitors.

The course includes in-depth site visits to leading retailers, hotels, and tourist attractions, providing first-hand exposure to world-class service and experience design. Students will engage in discussions with industry leaders, including managers and, when possible, retail and service-experience designers, through presentations and interactive Q&A sessions. This immersive experience will enhance students’ understanding of global consumer trends and the strategic innovations shaping the UAE’s luxury retail and hospitality industries.

MBA Global Business Trek Costs

• Four credits of tuition (two credits in the Fall and two credits in the Spring)
• Program Fee: $3,000 (estimated; program fee will be determined by the middle of May 2025)
  • Includes shared lodging at program hotel(s) during program, daily breakfast, at least two dinners, business and cultural visits, experiential learning project, and in-country transportation.
  • Does not include: Flight costs, most dinners and lunches, additional spending money. Students are encouraged to purchase CFAR insurance at an additional cost.
• Education Abroad Fee: $700 (estimated; TBD by Fall 2025)
• Mandatory, UMD-provided CISI Insurance fee: approx $39

Scholarships and Funding

Students can apply for a $1,000 scholarship to apply towards the program fee. Additionally, each program will designate one logistical liaison, who will receive a stipend of $1,800. Applications for both scholarships and liaison roles will be distributed early in the fall.

Information Session for 2025-26 programs

The Smith School encourages flex MBA students who are able to fit a study abroad experience into their coursework to take advantage of this opportunity. Flex MBAs are able to go after finishing the core courses. Please note that the exchange programs are open to Flex MBAs only.

In order to apply, please email the Center for Global Business at smithglobal@umd.edu well in advance of the application deadline to obtain the forms and schedule an interview.

Objectives for Graduate Exchanges

• To develop an understanding of business and cultural environment in other countries
• To demonstrate the ability to work effectively in an international setting
• Where applicable, to acquire the ability to communicate in the world's major business languages
• To adapt to conditions in the world's most important business centers

Exchange Partners

Guanghua School of Management

The Guanghua School of Management, Peking University is one of the best business schools in China. The School is staffed with about 100 full-time teaching faculty members. About half of the faculty earned their PhD degrees from prestigious universities overseas including Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, and UC-Berkeley. Guanghua has a total enrollment of more than 3,000 students and was named the most Influential MBA of China in a ranking conducted by World Executive.

Learn more about Guanghua

Copenhagen Business School

Copenhagen Business School (CBS) is a private educational institution established in 1917 by the Danish Society for the Advancement of Business Education. CBS has around 15,000 students and an annual intake of around 1,000 exchange students. With this number of students as well as around 400 full-time researchers and around 500 administrative employees, CBS is one of the three largest business schools in Northern Europe.

Learn more about CBS

SKEMA Business School

SKEMA prides itself as being a hub of technological innovation, reflected in its student body and industry linkages. With over six thousand students across multiple campuses in France and the world, SKEMA is committed to internationalizing business education. Exchange students benefit from high-quality instruction in a global setting.

Learn more about SKEMA

WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management

WHU is considered the preeminent business school in Germany. WHU has a strong interest in international business, as well as corporate responsibility. It is a small school, with about 600 students and the classroom dynamic is lively and interactive. Koblenz is a small town located on the Rhine and Mosel rivers, about 1 hour west of Frankfurt.

Learn more about WHU