Shanghai International Studies University
2023 Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Program Curriculum
(International Students)
1. Program Objectives and Requirements
Drawing on the strength of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) in over 70 years’ foreign languages and cross-cultural instruction, rich experience in comprehensive talent cultivation, as well as solid and creative platform for global talent education, SISU MBA aims at cultivating borderless management elites to create value for the world. It endeavors to cultivate advanced borderless-management talents featuring global vision, humanistic mentality, foreign language competence, practical capability and proficient cross-cultural communication.
2. Program Duration
Two-year full-time English study. International students are registered as Full-time students. Students are expected to complete the program within two academic years. The length of an approved study extension is at least six months but not more than one and a half years.
3. Student Recruitment and Admissions Interview
3.1 Entry Requirements
(1) Applicants must be a citizen of a country other than the People’s Republic of China and be in good health, having a reliable economic payment guarantee and guardian.
(2) Bachelor or above.
(3) Minimum 3 years of work experience before formal registration.
(4) Outstanding academic performance and potential.
(5) TOEFL, GRE or GMAT test is not required but recommended for International applicants.
3.2 Admissions Interview
Interviews are by invitation only when MBA Center completes assessing students’ application from Office of International Student Affairs of Shanghai International Studies University. Instructions will be provided by the invitation email. Interviews are conducted by faculty.
4. Curriculum Design
The curriculum setting includes 5 modules: Pre-term, Understanding the Basics, Management Foundation, Management Breadth and Management Depth. Integrated practical courses is absorbed into the SISU MBA program to improve students’ practical and applying ability. In light of the competitive advantages of the university, the trends of MBA education in leading international universities and the current market demand, we provide six featured concentrations under Management Depth module, i.e., “Digital Transformation”, “Digital Marketing”, “Fintech”, “Behavioral Science”, “Borderless General Management”, “Fashion and Luxury Management”. Course details are listed in the following table. The relation between Credits and Periods (a period equals to 45 minutes) is shown as follows: 2 credits for 36 periods, 1 credit for 18 periods and 0.5 credits for 9 periods. All pre-class and in-class reading, assignments and examinations are counted in the total periods.
5. Pedagogy
A variety of teaching methods will be adopted to optimize teaching effectiveness.
5.1 Lectures and Discussions
Lectures and discussions are widely employed in MBA course teaching. Through sharing work experiences, students will be fully engaged in structured lectures and classroom discussions and absorb the quintessence from lecturers and classmates.
5.2 Case Study and Group Work
Group study and case analysis will be integrated to help students combine theories with practical skills and improve their innovation abilities.
5.3 Company Visit, Business Study Trips and Overseas Exchange Program
SISU students are encouraged to learn beyond classrooms and experience diverse business models and operational methods in different countries, cities and companies.
SISU MBA International program’ teaching language, teaching materials and assignments will be provided in English.
Examination in SISU MBA is set to evaluate students’ learning outcomes. The examination methods will include open-book exams, closed-book exams, after class exams, semester theses and group projects. Scores will be given in the hundred-mark system and those who fail the exams must re-study the courses.
6. Corporate Interactions
In order to fully apply what students have learned to their occupations, the Mentor-Mentee Project comprised of a team of corporate professionals is thus established. Career development seminars, practical courses like “Practice-Business and Leadership Programs”, and regular industry cutting-edge lectures are also provided for the students. The above three teaching methods aim at building a platform that effectively and efficiently connects students and their corporate mentors. This person-to-person communication will equip our students with the latest industrial news and improve their self-recognition in the whole job market. In addition, students will be given professional advice and career-development assistance with the help of profound analysis of latest developments in the industry.
7. Middle-term Evaluation
As per the request of a high-standard quality assurance system, SISU MBA set middle-term evaluation as a necessary link to check students’ progress on credits and thesis-writing. Personal statements, mentor’s remarks, MBA center assessment will also be considered in the evaluation.
Middle-term evaluation is usually in the third semester for full-time students when they finish the thesis proposal. The results of the middle-term evaluation are given in five forms: excellent, good, medium, pass and fail. Any of the following situation will lead to “fail”:
1. Ideological and moral character, scientific morality and academic conduct do not correspond the requirements of Program Curriculum.
2. The course scores and required credits fail to meet the requirements of Program Curriculum.
3. Do not have any obvious progress in the thesis after the thesis proposal.
4. Do not participate in the middle-term evaluation without approval.
If students have correct and proper attitudes, study courses normally, pass the proposal defense successfully, behave appropriately, and receive evaluation results between four grades: Excellent, Good, Medium, Pass, they will pass the evaluation and continue their courses and thesis writing. If they fail the evaluation, with the suggestion of the panel of evaluation experts and the permission of MBA center, they can apply for retaking the middle-term evaluation after at least 3 months interval. If the retaking evaluation still fails, according to the Regulations of the Postgraduate Status Management of Shanghai Foreign Studies University, they should terminate their studies and drop out. If it has reached the maximum length of study for MBA graduates (including suspension and retention of registration), students need to finish the study and start the departure procedures in time.
8. Academic Publication and International Exchange
Students are encouraged to participate in academic activities and international exchange, but it is not required.
9. MBA Thesis
Thesis writing is an important part of SISU MBA program curriculum. It is a comprehensive reflection of students’ ability to apply their basic knowledge, theories and skills to primary scientific researches as well as their independent and innovative abilities to solve practical challenges.
The aim of writing thesis is to check whether students are able to apply the theories and techniques they have learnt to a specific study, whether they are able to choose suitable methods for their study, whether they are familiar with how to search for relevant literature and collect and use data, and whether they are able to make use of what they have learnt to solve management problems and improve their ability in real business setting. We encourage students to write monographic study type of thesis. The requirements and regulations for thesis writing can refer to SISU MBA PROGRAM THESIS WRITING GUIDE.
10. Graduation and Degree Awarding
Students who have completed all required courses, obtained all required credits in the curriculum and passed the final thesis defense will be allowed to graduate and granted with SISU diploma. Students who apply for Master's degree, will obtain MBA degree certificate after verification by SISU Degree Committee.
