The Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies
The Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania offers a joint-degree program in partnership with The Wharton School, combining a Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies from Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences. Completed in 24 months alongside the MBA, Lauder’s internationally focused MA program equips globally minded business leaders with interdisciplinary and intercultural expertise, providing a foundation for graduates to excel in careers around the world.
Applicants must select one of the Lauder Institute’s six Programs of Concentration when applying to Lauder. Five regional programs are focused around intensive, advanced language study and include Africa (French), East and Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, and South Asia/Middle East/North Africa (SAMENA) while the Global and Africa-General programs are taught in English and primarily focused on geopolitics, and comparative studies of political, social, and economic dynamics.
The program begins in late May each year. Students first spend 4 weeks in Philadelphia at the Lauder Institute taking classes and then depart for their 6 week summer immersions, that takes students across the globe to immerse in various cultural contexts relevant to their program of concentration. Students interact with business, government, and community leaders through a series of visits and lectures. For students in Lauder’s language programs, immersion is anchored around intensive daily instruction and meetings in the target language. Students in Lauder’s non-language programs (Global and Africa General) follow multi-country itineraries that examine geopolitical themes through a comparative lens and across diverse national contexts. Students return to campus in time to begin Pre-Term at Wharton in August.
As part of Lauder’s immersive international curriculum, students will also complete two Lauder Intercultural Ventures during their two-year program which take place during Winter and Spring break. Lauder Intercultural Ventures are weeklong faculty-led international immersions that focus on themes relevant to a country’s historical, economic, political, social, or cultural context.
Lauder MBA students are required to complete an individual master’s thesis as part of their MA in International Studies. The Lauder Institute provides training to students in comparative analysis, research design, and secondary and primary research methodologies.
The Lauder Institute also offers a joint degree JD/MA in International Studies with Penn’s Law School.
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Admissions
The Class Profile
The Lauder Institute MBA/MA joint-degree program Class of 2028 consists of 71 students. 38% of the Class of 2028 is female while 62% are male. 41% of the students are U.S. citizens, while 11% are dual citizens and 48% are international citizens. More than 30 countries are represented in this cohort, with an average of five years work experience.
Application Procedures
To be accepted into the program, applicants should apply through Wharton’s online application system and complete the Wharton application along with the Lauder supplemental application. Joint-degree candidates must complete a Lauder-specific essay, pass an oral proficiency interview, and participate in an admissions interview (upon invitation).
The Lauder Institute accepts applications in two rounds (aligned with Wharton School MBA application deadlines). Please check the latest deadlines here:
https://lauder.wharton.upenn.edu/dates-deadlines/
Academics
The Lauder MA is made up of 15 credit units (CUs). Lauder coursework is grounded in four geopolitical themes, with an international and intercultural focus. Six CUs make up the core curriculum, which includes courses that examine how political systems, legal structures, and history shape markets and strategic risk. Students also learn research methods for evaluating evidence across different cultural contexts and complete a master’s thesis by the end of their two-year program. Another five CUs come from the student’s program of concentration. In the language programs, these courses focus on building fluency in the target language, with the aim of reaching a Superior level of oral proficiency, alongside study of the target region’s culture, history, and politics. In non-language programs (Global and Africa General), courses focus on geopolitical dynamics, cross-border connections, and emerging trends across regions. The remaining four CUs are internationally focused Wharton MBA courses that count toward the MA, known as international joint degree credits.
Campus Life
Lauder’s community centers on a close-knit cohort of about 70 joint-degree students per year. A dedicated Student Advisory Board organizes events throughout the year, including an annual student retreat, small group dinners, weekly happy hours, holiday events, and wellness programming. Because the cohort brings a wide range of backgrounds and interests, Lauder students are often active members and leaders in many of Wharton’s student clubs, extending their community across the broader MBA program. Students also connect with a network of more than 2,200 Lauder alumni for mentorship and networking.
Campus Spaces
The Lauder Institute is situated on the University of Pennsylvania campus. The Lauder Institute has a dedicated building on Penn’s campus with classrooms and study space.
MBA Careers
Lauder students benefit from an experienced and dedicated team of Lauder career advisors who provide one-on-one coaching, as well as Lauder-specific career programming, which connects students with graduates working across industries and around the world.
Lauder graduates go on to lead multinational companies, build ventures that span continents, advise governments and multilateral institutions, and shape the markets and policies that will define this century. With alumni careers spanning 70 countries, the Lauder network goes wherever you do.
Financing
As of the 2026-27 academic year, the total net cost of two-year attendance at Lauder after minimum guaranteed fellowships, is $37,700 on top of The Wharton School or Law School tuition. First-year Lauder students also incur summer expenses which vary depending on their program of concentration and what part of the world their respective summer immersion takes place.
In addition to the Wharton’s financing opportunities, the Lauder Institute has other fellowships available to admitted students.
More information can be found here: https://lauder.wharton.upenn.edu/admission/tuition-financial-aid-2/
