| Department: | Management, Marketing and MIS / Rankin College of Business |
| Hours Required: | 120 |
| Categories: | Major, Undergraduate |
| Delivery: | On-Campus |
The global economy is increasing the demand for students with interest and expertise in international business. The international business emphasis prepares students by providing them with a strong business background enhanced with increased cultural awareness. Graduates with this degree will be able to work in companies with global operations, large or small. Job opportunities include management analyst, retail trader, and a variety of positions in logistics and supply chain management, as well as marketing and management positions in businesses with international operations.
In addition to core business courses, students will add a foreign language and study abroad or other intercultural experiences to their course of study.
In the first two years of a four-year business degree, students take a broad range of classes. Upper-level classes include advanced business courses that are taken by all business majors and major-specific courses that focus on international business.
- Students can study abroad by taking short trips sponsored by the university or can arrange to spend a semester abroad.
- Planning for a semester abroad should start in the sophomore year.
- Students are assigned to an advisor to help with class scheduling, professional mentoring, and career placement.
Management Careers
The Rankin College of Business has a strong record of job placement for graduates in all fields. International business students will have opportunities to meet alumni working in careers in this area. Alumni employed in global companies such as Walmart and Pepsi can provide insights into global opportunities.
Student Engagement
- Student organizations like Phi Beta Lambda, ENACTUS, Emerging Entrepreneurs, and the Business Student Investment Advisory Council provide opportunities for fun, leadership development, and networking.
- Guest lectures and workshops conducted by business professionals and recognized speakers are hosted by the Rankin College of Business each year.
- Student travel, both within and outside the region and the US, are available. Recent trips included tours of financial institutions in New York and Chicago, advertising agencies in Dallas and Chicago, Arkansas businesses like Walmart, Tyson, ArcBest, Farm Bureau, and J.B. Hunt, and international destinations such as Costa Rica and Greece.
- The Arkansas Small Business Development and Technology Center located on the first floor of the Blanchard Hall offers seminars and other resources that are free to students and houses the Entrepreneurship Center.
Faculty Expertise
The Rankin College of Business is AACSB accredited. All upper-level professors are required to hold doctorates or to have significant professional experience in the areas in which they teach. Several faculty have led study abroad learning experiences with students including trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Greece.
Learning Goals
- Graduates from the College of Business can communicate effectively.
- Our graduates are prepared to be socially responsible citizens.
- Our graduates can think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
- Our graduates can use technology effectively in their fields.
- Our graduates have content knowledge in their chosen fields and the necessary skills to be successful.
Note: This major requires time spent abroad. Options include a semester-long study abroad, an internship abroad, or an approved short study abroad trip.
University Requirement (2 hours)
GSTD 1002 – Freshman Seminar
General Education (35 hours)
Note: ECON 2103 – Principles of Microeconomics and 3 hours of foreign language are required)
Business Core (54 hours)
ACCT 2113 – Survey of Accounting
ACCT 2003 – Principles of Accounting
FIN 2003 – Personal Finance
ECON 2203 – Principles of Macroeconomics
GBUS 2003 – Legal Environment of Business
GBUS 2013 – Statistics and Analytics I
IS 2053 – Business Information Systems
MGMT 2003 – Business Communications
Admission to the College of Business is required to enroll in the following courses:
FIN 3003 – Financial Management
GBUS 3183 – Statistics and Analytics II
IS 3023 – Introduction to Data Visualization
IS 3053 – Managing Information Systems
MGMT 3023 – Organizational Theory and Behavior
MGMT 3073 – Professional Communication Strategies
MGMT 4063 – Operations and Supply Chain Management
MGMT 4093 – Management Strategy and Policy
MKTG 3033 – Principles of Marketing
Select 3 hours from the following:
MGMT 4043 – International Business
MGMT 4313 – International Studies and Field Experience
MGMT 4101 – International Studies and Field Experience and MGMT 4102 – International Studies and Field Experience
International Studies (12 hours)
Select one of the following three study abroad options:
Semester Abroad Option
12 hours of international business and/or international relations courses taken during the study abroad term
The student, with help from their advisor and approval of the dean, will select appropriate classes offered by their study abroad host university and complete all paperwork required to transfer those courses back to SAU. In order for a course to transfer to SAU, the student must receive a grade of C or better, or the equivalent grade as approved by the dean of the Rankin College of Business. The 12 hours earned as part of the study abroad are exempt from the University residency requirement and may be included in the last 24 hours completed by the student.
Internship Abroad Option
3 hours of internship credit
9 hours of international electives (see list below)
International students will complete an internship in the United States. All other students will complete an internship abroad with approval from the internship coordinator and dean of the Rankin College of Business.
Short-Term Study Abroad Option
MGMT 4313 – International Studies and Field Experience
9 hours of international electives (see list below)
The short-term study abroad trip must be led by SAU faculty or part of another approved program.
International Electives
(limit 3 hours of HIST courses)
FIN 4143 – International Finance
HIST 3123 – Russia and the Soviet Union
HIST 3173 – Modern South Asia
HIST 3303 – History and Politics of Modern China
HIST 3313 – History and Politics of Modern Japan
MM 4103 – International Public Relations
MM 4123 – International Mass Media
PSCI 3003 – International Relations
PSCI 3193 – Political Geography
PSCI 4083 – Global Issues
Additional courses as approved by the dean of the Rankin College of Business
Foreign Language (3 hours)
3 hours of foreign language in addition to the general education requirement
Electives (14 hours)
12 hours of upper-level business electives
2 hours of unrestricted electives
Total Hours – 120
Note:
Students may pair this major with another major in the Rankin College of Business. They will need to complete the study abroad component, international curriculum, and foreign language. They can complete the double major with 135 total hours.
