Master's Degree in International Trade
Some of the topics you'll encounter in a master's degree program in international trade include cultural affairs, multinational business practices and the policies that shape the global economy. Read ahead to learn about the employment outlook for this career and distance learning options.
Are There Any Prerequisites for a Master's Degree in International Trade?
A master's degree in international trade combines a number of topics from business, economics and international politics to prepare you for careers in different areas, such as financial management, marketing or other aspects of global trade. If you're planning on pursuing a master's degree in international trade, you will need to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited school, along with recent Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Some programs also have a foreign language requirement that you can fill by demonstrating proficiency.
| Degree Overview | Preparation for careers in marketing, global trade and financial management |
| Online Availability | Online programs are available, but rare |
| Common Courses | International trade negotiations, trade policy, international economics, trade laws, microeconomics |
| Possible Careers | Marketing manager, management analyst, policy advocate, policy developer and corporate manager |
| Median Salary (2020) | $83,660 (Financial Analysts) |
| Job Outlook (2019-2029) | 5% growth (Financial Analysts) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Is this Program Available Online?
If you want to pursue a master's degree in international trade, you can find degree programs online from a few U.S. schools. Online master's degrees are also available in international business and international policy. Completing an internship as a distance student is an option for some fully online programs. However, other programs may require you to attend a campus-based orientation before the online classes begin.
What Courses Will I Take?
The curriculum in a master's degree program in international trade prepares you for a number of jobs in business-related careers where global business strategies and foreign politics are employed. Courses provide you with an understanding of data and policy analysis, international economics and developmental economics, among other topics. You may also have the opportunity to complete elective courses in an area that interests you, such as history, foreign language or political science. In addition to a capstone project, common courses found in a master's degree program include:
- International Economics
- Trade Policy
- Trade Laws
- International Trade Negotiations
- Microeconomics
- International Trade Theories
What Can I Do with My Degree?
As a graduate with a master's degree in international trade, you may find job opportunities in the public and private sector working for global businesses. Job titles include marketing manager, management analyst, policy advocate, policy developer and corporate manager, among others.
International business growth has led to an increased demand for management analysts as businesses expand and search for the best strategies for entering foreign markets. Job growth for management analysts was expected to increase quickly, at a rate of 11% between 2019 and 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). The BLS reports that as of 2020, the median salary for a management analyst was $87,660. Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers were also expected to see job growth at an above average rate of 7% for the same time period, according to the BLS. The median salary for marketing managers in 2020 was $142,170, according to the BLS.