The Guide is divided into five sections to help you quickly find what you need: Section 1: Life at IBS Section 2: Academics Section 3: Information about your specific degree program Appe
Life at IBS
The study of the global economy is at the heart of the educational experience at Brandeis International Business School
(IBS) Our mission is to enable students from around the world to become outstanding professional managers, community leaders, and global citizens
IBS delivers a comprehensive exploration of international business, economics, and finance through a rigorous curriculum, with faculty research guiding cutting-edge teaching and scholarship The diverse composition of our student body enhances the learning environment, collectively establishing IBS as a truly global school.
Cross-cultural fluency—the ability to operate effectively across borders and in diverse business environments—remains a core objective This commitment is reflected in our alumni, who occupy leadership roles in major companies and institutions around the world.
The School offers four degree programs Each addresses the same broad fields, but differs in specific courses of study and ultimate career paths:
The Lemberg MAief prepares students for analytical careers in finance and economics
The MBA focuses on analysis and management of business operations and corporate finance
MSF (Master of Science in Finance) offers expert finance education with specializations in International Investments and Business Finance The program is primarily part-time to accommodate working mid-career finance professionals, while also welcoming full-time students who want to accelerate their careers.
The PhD prepares students for research, teaching and analysis-based careers
IBS offers more than 30 core courses and 65 electives annually Core courses are designed for relatively homogeneous audiences—typically a single program or closely related programs—while electives attract a diverse mix of students with varying interests, training, experiences, goals, nationalities, and ages.
Core courses and analytical electives are typically taught by full-time faculty, while applied electives are often taught by
Adjunct Professors (teacher-practitioners), with exceptional accomplishments in business or finance and a talent for teaching
In addition to great practical experience, many of our adjunct professors also have doctoral degrees
At IBS, students from varied backgrounds with closely related interests engage in a collaborative learning experience, and working in diverse teams is an integral part of many IBS courses This emphasis on diverse teamwork is designed to prepare students for the global work environment by developing cross-cultural collaboration skills and real-world teamwork, making the diverse-team approach a defining element of the IBS curriculum.
Within this section of your Program Guide you’ll find essential information about the IBS departments you’ll interact with most The Office of Administration and Student Services serves as your hub for academic guidance as well as social and cultural activities, supporting your overall student experience The Career Center partners with you throughout your IBS journey, helping you secure internships and prepare for a smooth transition from study to the workplace Together with other key IBS offices, these departments cover academic support, career development, and campus life.
Technology Services is on hand to help you make the most of the information systems and computer hardware
With more than 70% of our students coming from outside the United States, we understand that many international students may face challenges adjusting to a new environment If the transition feels tough, you can rely on our Student Services staff for help and support as you settle into campus life and your studies.
Meet the IBS department staff across all divisions and get to know them through their specialized fields Each team member is here to assist you with expert guidance in their area of expertise, ensuring you receive clear, knowledgeable support Don’t hesitate to reach out to any IBS staff member with your questions or concerns—they’re ready to help.
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O FFICE OF A DMINISTRATION & S TUDENT S ERVICES
The OASS is your resource for academic information and advice, community events, and general support during your time at IBS
Kate Goldfield, Associate Dean Christopher Johnson, Associate Director Viola Morse, Associate Director
Karen Muise, Sr Program Administrator Matt Rocker, Sr Program Coordinator
Meredith Robitaille, Assistant Director Alyssa Irizarry, Sr Program Coordinator
Echo Bergquist, Program Coordinator for Faculty
Brandeis University's Office of Administration and Student Services (OASS) is your go-to resource for a smooth transition to a new university, city, and, for international students, a new country From the moment you arrive, OASS staff are among the first people you meet and continue to support you as you pursue your advanced degree They help you navigate the expectations and culture of IBS and Brandeis, making it easier to adjust to campus life and academic norms For students joining from abroad, the team is ready to help you settle into a new home and educational environment In short, OASS is a valuable resource dedicated to easing every step of your transition and guiding you toward your degree goals.
Situated at the heart of IBS's daily activities, OASS is the convenient hub for questions about registration, calendar events, clubs, social programs, and the wide range of student-centered IBS community life Whatever your question or need, OASS is ready to provide answers, information, or support OASS is your reliable resource—whether for day-to-day matters or a more complex issue.
OASS serves as the communication and service center for IBS students, providing essential support and information Beyond its service function, the Office actively guides each student’s academic decisions, helping them navigate course choices, degree requirements, and opportunities for study and cultural engagement It plays a key role in ensuring students make the most of their educational and cultural opportunities while upholding the highest standards of achievement and conduct In this way, OASS combines accessible guidance with rigorous expectations to help IBS students thrive.
At Brandeis IBS, the OASS staff are central from orientation through course selection to commencement, guiding you at every step of your Brandeis IBS experience We aim for your time here to be truly rewarding, and we’ll do everything we can to keep your experience positive Stop by with your questions or just to say hello—we’re here to support you throughout your journey at Brandeis IBS.
You are at a new school, and many of you are living in a new country speaking a different language
You’ll have lots of questions We are here to help you settle in, adjust, and have a great experience
While we may not have the answer to every question, we can connect you with someone who can help If you’re not sure who to ask, start with Student Services—we’ll point you in the right direction and connect you with the right support and resources.
The IBS Student Association is established as a means of representing the interests of the student body The IBSSA:
This platform offers a dedicated space to discuss student concerns and serves as the conduit through which student interests are voiced to the administration and faculty across IBS’s academic programs.
Enriches the graduate experience by providing organized student-centered programs, activities, services, which celebrate diversity, promote awareness, and foster leadership, civic engagement and student development
Supports, as an umbrella organization, other student-run organizations and clubs within IBS
Co-Vice Presidents: Jerica Bradley and Ahsan Avais
Advisors: Karen Muise & Matthew Rocker
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Leadership Fellows are second-year students specially selected to work with the OASS for their leadership potential and dedication to the IBS student body They provide leadership to new students and gladly share their academic, social, and transitional experiences Trained to understand the needs of first-year students, they are a reliable resource for information about IBS courses—both core and elective—and professors, and can offer informed answers to most questions about IBS programs.
Each Leadership Fellow works with a specific group of first-year students If you haven’t been contacted by your Leadership
Academics
This section of your Guide will provide you with the information you need to make the most of your academic pursuit and to achieve your final goal
S OME B ASICS Y OU S HOULD K NOW
The University’s Academic Calendar is available on the Registrar’s website (www.brandeis.edu/registrar)
This calendar contains all the dates/deadlines you need to know to plan your semester Each student is responsible for knowing these dates
The community's practices and expectations regarding honesty and integrity in your academic work
Brandeis has explicit standards on these matters, with concrete penalties and judicial procedures in cases where these standards are violated
Having had different standards in your previous education or in your home country does not excuse violating the Brandeis standards You are responsible for understanding and following these rules
Please refer to the “Academic Integrity” section of this Guide
If you have any questions, ask!
During the first couple of weeks of each semester, known as the Add/Drop Period, you can change your course enrollments directly on Sage After this period, adding or dropping a course requires approval from both the instructor and your Program Advisor to finalize the change.
There is an additional Add/Drop Period mid-way through each semester when the second modules start
(See the next section for more information on modules.)
A class audit involves sitting in on a course and, while you may participate, you do not take exams or receive a grade No credit is awarded for auditing, and there is no formal assessment associated with the audit The student must obtain permission from the instructor to audit, and the instructor reserves the right to refuse an audit Some courses are not well suited to auditing, and in those cases auditing may not be allowed.
In order to make up some holidays, Brandeis adds certain “Brandeis Days” to the Academic Calendar
Make-up days are held during the week, but they use a different day’s class schedule For example, a Wednesday might be labeled on the calendar as “Brandeis Monday,” yet that day will follow the Monday timetable.
Current students can enroll in classes during the end-of-previous-semester enrollment window, a one-week period typically in April for the fall semester and in November for the spring semester No changes to enrollments are allowed during the period between Early Enrollment and Open Enrollment.
In an IBS classroom, your participation is not only welcomed, but it is required In most courses, you will be graded on participation and it will be part of your final grade
Consent Code Enrollment in a class is sometimes restricted for a variety of reasons, meaning that permission is required in order to get into the class This permission is given in the form of a “consent code”, which is used when enrolling through Sage Most times, the distribution of consent codes is done by the Program Advisors
Course When we refer to a “course”, we are specifically meaning a class that is full-semester in length and earns 4 credits (as opposed to a “module”)
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Credits REQUIRED: MAief or MBA degree = 64 credits
MS (en route to PhD) = 52 credits MINIMUM: To be a full-time student you must be enrolled in at least 12 credits
MAXIMUM: The maximum number you may take in any semester is 20 credits
AVERAGE: The average number of credits per semester that you need to take in order to earn an MA, MBA or MSF (full-time program) degree is 16
Disabilities If you have a physical or learning disability that requires special accommodation in the classroom or examinations, please contact Kate Goldfield in Student Services to make appropriate arrangements
A hold on your student account can be placed by Student Financial Services for an overdue bill, by ISSO for not meeting visa requirements, or by Health Services for not fulfilling University health requirements Any such hold will prevent you from registering, adding, or dropping courses until it is removed, and holds can only be removed by the department that placed them.
Latte Latte is the network communications program used for course related communications Instructor, students and teaching assistant use this for questions and to post assignments
Module When we refer to a “module”, we are referring to a class that is half-semester in length and earns 2 credits
Sage is the network database that students and staff rely on to manage official academic records Most course registrations are completed through your Sage account, and you can access your transcript anytime in Sage All information displayed in Sage is considered official.
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U NDERSTANDING C OURSE N UMBERS Types of Courses
IBS offers two types of classes: full-semester (referred to as a “course”) and half-semester (referred to as a “module”)
During semester class selections, remember that a module earns half the credit of a full course, yet while in session it meets as frequently and demands as much effort as a full course.
Meets either once each week for 3 hours or twice a week for 1ẵ hours
Meets either once each week for 3 hours or twice a week for 1ẵ hours
Course Length Meets for the entire semester Meets either the first half or the second half of the semester
* Note: see below for credits related to internships
How to Read a Brandeis Course Number
By way of example, a course number for Transnational Negotiations looks like this: BUS 275f (2) S2
This Brandeis course-number sample shows how to read the code and extract its meaning: it designates a business subject, a graduate-level class, and a module that meets in the second half of the semester, with more than one section available—the example being section two To pull this information from the course number, recognize the business subject, the graduate level, the module indicator, the second-half scheduling, and the presence of multiple sections, with this one labeled as section two.
Class numbers are not the same as course numbers Many courses have multiple sections but share the same course number, while the specific section is identified by a 4- or 5-digit Class # When registering for a course or module, always provide both the Course # and the Class # to ensure you enroll in the right section.
The small letter refers to whether the class is a course or module: a = course (4 credits) b = course (4 credits) f = module (2 credits) g = 2 nd /3 rd internship (1 credit)
Course numbers ending with S1, S2, and other similar suffixes indicate multiple sections of the same course The S1 or S2 designation shows that more than one section is offered for the course Each section provides the full course content and is offered at its own scheduled time, allowing students to choose the section that fits their timetable.
The different sections may be taught by different instructors.
All modules with course numbers ending in 'f' are scheduled to meet in either the first half or the second half of the semester The half is indicated by the number in parentheses at the end of the course number—'1' means the first half, while '2' means the second half.
Don’t confuse this with “S1” and “S2”.
The 3-digit number refers to (2) the course level:
100 = electives open to both graduate and undergrad students
The 3 or 4 letter abbreviation refers to the subject area:
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An exception exists to the standard relationship between course numbering and credits: internships can count for up to four credits in total If you choose to receive credit for an internship, the following rules apply to how those internship credits are counted toward your degree.
ECON 297a FIN 297a Second Internship BUS 297g
In order to earn credit for an internship, you must enroll before you start working
IBS allows full-time students to undertake internships during the summer or the academic year after completing two semesters Students can earn academic credit for these internships as long as the work relates to their degree, provided they enroll in credit before starting the internship No tuition is charged for summer internships for full-time students.