| 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.
International Business (BBA) – 120 hours
- 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)
(3 hours of foreign language and ECON 2103 – Principles of Microeconomics are required)
Business Core Curriculum (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 one of 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 Curriculum (12 Hours)
Select one of the following three study abroad options:
Semester Abroad Option
If spending a semester abroad, the student, with help from their advisor and approval of the dean, will select 12 credits of international business classes and/or international relations classes offered by the host university during that term and complete required Leave of Absence Form and Request for Transfer of Credit Form as needed. In order for a course to transfer to SAU, student must receive a C or above 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 residency requirement if they are part of the last 24 hours completed by the student.
Internship Abroad Option
For an internship abroad, 3 hours of internship credit plus 9 hours of international electives will be required. International electives offered at SAU can be selected from the 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
The short-term study abroad trip must be led by SAU faculty or approved program. Students will receive 3 hours of credit from travel trip (MGMT 4313 – International Studies and Field Experience) and select an additional 9 hours of international electives from the options offered below.
International Electives
Select 9 hours from the following (*limit 3 hours 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 Dean of the Rankin College of Business
Additional Foreign Language Course (3 Hours)
Upper-Level Business Electives (12 Hours)
Electives (2 Hours)
International Business Double Major
Students may pair this with another major in the Rankin College of Business. They will need to complete the abroad component, international curriculum, and foreign language. They can complete the double major with 135 hours.
