News

Portland State University's Master of International Management (MIM) program, which focuses on business and trade with Asia, has added new specializations to its curriculum as a response to the needs of industry.

This fall, the MIM program began offering specialized degrees in Global Supply Chain Management, Global Marketing, and Global Business and Sustainability, supplementing existing full-time and part-time executive track degree options. The Master program is part of the School of Business Administration at Portland State University, and is focused on augmenting general business theory with studies in international relations, cross-cultural communications and foreign languages with a focus on Asia and the Pacific Rim nations. Classes are taught by an international faculty of renowned scholars, business executives and government officials.

"The new specializations will give students the in-depth skills they need to make an immediate impact on the firms that hire them. The preliminary response from the business community has been extremely encouraging. They see right away the benefits of preparing students to compete in an increasingly global business environment," said Sully Taylor, MIM director. The new specializations include:
* The Global Supply Chain Management option, which provides students with theory and practical skills to meet the demands of today's fast-paced international marketplace;
* The Global Marketing option, which examines the issues and pitfalls that organizations face when attempting to formulate viable global marketing strategies and effective campaigns;
* The Global Business and Sustainability option, which teaches students to evaluate the complete business environment and to understand how global corporations manage financial, social, and environmental responsibilities in relation to diverse political and social climates.

"Portland State University's expanded specializations under the MIM program address many of the needs that are high on the list of globally focused Oregon businesses," said Sanjay Mehra, director for Nike's Asia Pacific region and member of the MIM program's Executive Advisory Committee. "We are confident that graduates of this program can possess some of the most sought-after skills in a rapidly changing business environment."

Each specialization requires completion of the degree's 65 core program credits, an additional eight specialization credits, fulfillment of a language requirement and completion of an international business project in the specialization area. The Master of International Management at PSU is one of only a handful of truly international business programs in the United States which combines business education with language acquisition and cultural immersion.

Deadline for fall 2004 applications is April 30, 2004. For more information, visit www.sba.pdx.edu/mim or call 503-725-2275 (toll-free at 800-879-5088). Media interested in more information should contact Jeff Millard, associate director, MIM Program, 503-725-2291 or e-mail jeffm@sba.pdx.edu.

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Release Number: 04-002