2023-2024 Catalog 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

International Business Major


Major Leads: Monika Hudson & Xiaohua Yang

It is essential that the business administration student of today - the manager or entrepreneur of tomorrow - be fully aware of the global nature of the modern business environment. No student graduating from this program can afford to be insulated from the significant impact that the 21st century global economy will have upon their lives and careers.

All functions and aspects of business have globalized - from marketing and law to finance, and from alternative business models to management practices. Yet there is also the local dimension of globalization which stems from the emerging patterns and trends in business policies and practices that increasingly expose all participants, regardless of size, industry or service, to competition on a global scale.

The objectives of the International Business major are to offer students a business education from a global perspective; to understand how differences in political, economic, regulatory, social, cultural, and demographic factors affect business operations; and, to identify appropriate business strategies in a global economy. International Business students are strongly encouraged to gain international experience by participating in an approved Study Abroad program or International Study Tour.

Please visit the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA)  department page for more information.

Program Learning Outcomes


  • Understand how the external environments in which firms operate differ among countries and regions with respect to political, economic, regulatory, social, cultural, and demographic factors; and, how such differences affect the ways in which business is conducted
  • Develop the capacity to evaluate alternative business strategies for conducting business in the global marketplace
  • Identify and define issues of social justice in the global marketplace

Major Requirements (76 units)


Proficiency in a foreign language as a second language or through the third semester of foreign language coursework is required.

Business Core


The business core and foundation courses cover the basic business topics needed for a career in business. Consistent with the direction of business today, the business core at the McLaren School of Management highlights issues related to the global business environment, diversity and ethics. Oral and written communication, quantitative reasoning, information literacy, and critical thinking are also stressed throughout the curriculum.

All Business majors must complete a set of business foundation and core courses, as well as the required University Core Curriculum . Students admitted to the McLaren School of Management’s Honors Program take the Honors Program core. Please see School of Management Honors Program . The required foundation courses are also used to satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements (see faculty adviser). Students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average in their foundation and business core coursework.

International Business Requirements (20 units)


Language Requirement (3rd semester or higher)


Proficiency in a second language is required. Proficiency can be demonstrated either through a test taken through the Foreign Languages Department -OR- through completion of the third semester of a foreign language. Only one semester (the third semester or above) of a foreign language can be applied as an International Business elective.