General Information

The International Business (IB) major, an interdisciplinary course of study, is designed to develop business leaders and professionals prepared to anticipate and respond to global challenges that impact local, national and international markets.  The IB curriculum provides an opportunity for students to understand the importance of international business to the U.S. economy, to develop analytical skills needed to assess the global environment of business, to learn about the cultural differences between American and foreign ways of conducting business, and to become familiar with the international dimensions of accounting, finance, law, operations, information systems, management, marketing, sustainability and corporate strategy. The interdisciplinary major prepares students to anticipate and analyze challenges, risks, and opportunities presented by the global marketplace, to assess the role of business, government, institutions and organizations, and to appreciate the social, political, economic, cultural and ethical contexts, considerations and consequences related to doing business in the complex, multi-faceted global business environment. 

With globalization and the emergence of new actors and regulatory frameworks, public and private sector future professionals and practitioners need to be globally adroit and understand the intersection of international business, the state, and non-state actors in a global economy. Students in the IB major will examine the role of business, government, institutions and organizations and they will gain an appreciation for the social, political, economic, cultural and ethical contexts, considerations and consequences related to doing business in a global marketplace.

Learning Aims

The International Business (IB) major is designed for students interested in approaching business from a global, interdisciplinary perspective. This major incorporates the various disciplines needed to understand the complex, multi-faceted and multi-dimensional global business environment and it prepares students to anticipate and analyze challenges, risks and opportunities presented by the global marketplace.

International Business students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the political, economic, social and cultural dimensions of business and the impact globalization.
• Understand the influential role state actors, non-state actors, and business practices play in the global marketplace.
• Demonstrate their ability to analyze international environments and global markets in which businesses operate and evaluate present and future opportunities and risks.