International Business Degrees


International Business Degrees

Working in the business world today often involves working with businesses and governments outside of the United States. A degree in International Business positions graduates to work in any internationally oriented company, whether it be a multi-national corporation or a local company that markets their products overseas or has overseas suppliers.

Job prospects for individuals who earn an International Business degree will continue to be excellent as the world markets continue to integrate. Since a willingness to travel, learn a foreign language and work flexible hours are typical requirements, this degree choice is not a good fit for everyone.

Degree Options

  • Bachelor's Degree - A bachelor's degree in International Business will prepare graduates for entry-level job in companies that have overseas markets or divisions.
  • Master's Degree - Graduates of a master's degree program will be ready to pursue positions that require more specialized business knowledge as well as international business knowledge.
  • Doctoral Degree - Graduates of a doctoral program will be prepared to be international business consultants, college instructors or international business executives.

Schools

International Business degrees are available at a number of stand-alone business schools and business schools within universities. Online schools are also a good source of International Business degrees and provide more flexibility than traditional schools. International Business programs vary in their requirements regarding foreign language fluency and in their internship requirements, which must be completed abroad for some programs.

Coursework

The curriculum in an international business program will include all the general business courses such as finance, management, marketing and accounting that a typical business degree program includes. In addition, an international business program will include courses that cover these topics from an international perspective.

These programs can be substantially more demanding than traditional business programs since they involve additional core courses, language courses and oftentimes require a significant internship.

Aptitudes and Interests

Individuals who enjoy other cultures, are adaptable, and are willing to commit to long hours and significant business travel, may find International Business to be an ideal career choice. They will also need to be constantly aware of cultural norms, business etiquette and business regulations in whatever country they are working in.

Career Options

Careers for those with a degree in International Business are diverse and, in many cases, mirror standard business positions. Some of the more common jobs an individual may consider include:

  • International Business Development Analyst
  • International Sales Manager
  • International Tax Accountant
  • Director of Operations (at Foreign Subsidiary)
  • International Trade Compliance Analyst
  • International Business Consultant

Related Majors

Some other degrees that involve business and/or international subjects include:

  • Global Studies – Looks at international cultures, markets and governments.
  • Business Management - Covers same business topics but without international focus.
  • International Relations - Includes many disciplines including economics, politics, sociology, history and more.

How to Evaluate International Business Programs

Some considerations for individuals choosing an International Business program are discussed below:

  • Reputation - Companies hiring graduates with an International Business degree will rely on a school's reputation to determine the quality of education the job candidate received.
  • Study-Abroad Requirement – Some schools require that students study abroad so prospective students should assess whether this requirement is doable given their personal responsiblities.
  • Language Requirements – Language requirements range from a couple of courses to complete fluency, depending on the program. Someone without minimal foreign language skills may find the latter requirement to be unrealistic.
  • Accreditation - International Business programs should be accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Free Online Courses

The following free online international business courses will give prospective students an idea of what a degree program in this area would be like:

Resources

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Academy of International Business

World Trade Organization

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