International business degree programs provide students with opportunities in economics, marketing, healthcare, accounting, law, and information technology. Students learn about how the global economy interacts and how business operates on the worldwide market.
This article provides an overview of the essential components that make up an international business diploma, including common admission requirements and the curriculum standard and courses.
What Is an International Business Degree?
International business degrees cover basic business concepts, theories, and methods, such as global marketing, trade operations, and finance policy. Students investigate the effects of the political system, language, and cultural practices on business.
The 120-credit bachelor’s degree requires four full years of study. It seeks to better understand the connections between international and business issues through the global sociopolitical, economic, legal, and financial systems.
The course curriculum includes classes in general education and major-specific ones with economics, statistics, calculus, business communications, and marketing-related courses. A few programs let students concentrate their studies on the foreign market.
International Business Degree Programs
International business degrees vary by institution. Certain schools provide dedicated international business bachelor’s degrees and other programs that offer the international business area as a specialization or a concentration in a more extensive undergraduate business administration program.
Admission Requirements for an International Business Degree
The requirements for admission to international business degree programs differ. Most applicants have an official high school diploma or equivalent, for example, a GED certificate, and must have an average GPA. The additional admission requirements can be:
- SAT and ACT scores
- Official transcripts
- Admission essay
- Admissions to an interview
- Recommendations from high school teachers or guidance counselors
- Proof of proficiency in English is required for students from abroad
Standard Courses in an International Business Degree Program
Although courses vary from institution to institution, most courses offered in international business degrees cover essential business and international subjects. Some programs will also have the use of a foreign language.
Principles of Accounting
The course teaches the fundamental accounting principles, including equity, assets, and liabilities. The course covers the principles and methods to document business transactions and make financial accounting records. Students are taught business ethics, reconciliation strategies, and the arrangement of bookkeeping with double entries and creating financial statements.
Business Law
The students study the principles of business law that pertain to contracts, corporations, partnerships, government agencies, and sales. Mainly, they study the business partnership, corporate law, and other laws of enterprise and how these corporations function in a legal environment. The topics covered in the course include contract law, tax law legislation, and ethics.
Business and Economic Statistics
Students in this class analyze how they can use statistical information to manage decision-making. The students study statistical methods like hypotheses testing or probability theory as well as explore the process of selecting a technique, problem formulation, and finally, the interpretation of outcomes.
International Business Organizations
Professional associations can help expand your circle of friends, increase your knowledge and skills, and build your resume with a specific focus. Professionals and business students from abroad can join professional associations to gain access to resources and tools.
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
The International Chamber of Commerce contains members from over 45 million businesses in more than 100 nations. Members are informed about international business by participating in governmental and International forums.
The process of becoming an ICC member can help professionals increase their influence on global and national levels, establish business-related regulations and regulations, and broaden their reach across the globe.
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
The International Associate of Business Communicators allows members to join a global community of fellow members. IABC members can access career and leadership opportunities, as well as career development, the resources available online, including a library, case studies that have won awards, and webinars and podcasts.
The Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA)
The Federation of International Trade Associations encourages trade between countries by facilitating local, regional international, and national trading partners. FITA Members include more than 450,000 businesses that form an extensive global commercial and business network.
FITA members get business leads through export and import services, prominent promotions on the FITA publication and directories, official endorsements, and access to trade and international information and industry updates. Membership fees range from $300 to $900 per year.
What Can You Do With an International Business Degree?
International business degrees lead to banking, management, banking human resources, and many more jobs. Graduate degrees can lead to entry-level roles as graduate degrees train students for management and executive jobs, such as:
- Business analyst
- Corporate Investment Banker
- Product Manager
- Human Resource Manager
- Consultant in management
- Trade expert
- Import/export coordinator
Work requirements and responsibilities vary following the employer or organization and the country in which it is located. Further certifications show competence in international business or other languages and could improve your job chances.
