International Business Majors and Minor Tips

As companies come to terms with the demands of a globally competitive business environment, the required knowledge and skills of the workforce are changing. Even firms not directly involved internationally are increasingly confronted with competition from non-American firms in the domestic U.S. business environment. Small to mid-sized companies are in need of personnel capable of management and supervisory functions, especially in the fields of customs compliance, international market research, international transportation, international documentation, and international sales and marketing.  Larger companies building markets and/or sourcing products abroad also need personnel with the knowledge, skills and abilities essential for success in an increasingly competitive international business environment. The International Business major and minor programs aim to provide exactly the education necessary for you to pursue a successful career in companies or organizations operating internationally.

Students are strongly encouraged to study at least one foreign language to complement their international business education, though this is not required.

International Business B.S. Major

The Bachelor of Science degree with this major prepares you to work in the international environment of a manufacturing or service organization. The degree program is designed as an integrative experience to combine social studies and professional education within a framework of global business theory and practice. As with all international business degree programs, this major is especially suited for those who are self reliant, imaginative, adaptable, and who possess an interest in working with people from other cultures.

International Business Minor

This minor is highly suitable for students with majors in languages, liberal arts, business and management fields who are interested in broadening their career opportunities. It delivers a solid background in the ways in which firms operate in the global economy. Required courses provide basic theoretical and practical knowledge that will enhance your employment prospects with companies operating internationally. This program is suited for those who are self reliant, imaginative, adaptable, and have a genuine interest in working in cross-cultural environments.

Overlap Tips

IBus 311 International Business Environment and Operations also meets Goal VIII of Gen Ed requirements.

Econ 314 International and Comparative Economics also meets Goals V and VIIIof Gen Ed requirements, and may also overlap with Liberal Studies.

Note:  A single course may be used to meet a maximum of two goal areas; this rule does not apply to the Liberal Studies requirement where courses may overlap with one or two goal areas. For example, Econ 314 will overlap with Goal V, Goal VIII, Liberal Studies, and IBus major and minor required courses.

Prerequisite Tips

Check course descriptions at this web site for prerequisites: http://archive.metrostate.edu/catalog/courses.cfm?subj=IBUS&college=CM&level=undergrad   

All major courses require a grade of C- or better.

Prerequisites for IBus 311 International Business Environment and Operations and IBus 312 International Political Economy:

• Math 115 College Algebra (prereq for Econ 201 and 202)
• Econ 201 Macroeconomics (take after Math 115)
• Econ 202 Microeconomic (take after Math 115)
• Intermediate writing skills (e.g., Writ 231 or equivalent)

IBus 311 International Business Environment and Operations (or its equivalent) is the prerequisite for all other IBus courses and is strongly recommended for courses taught in other curriculum units and listed as required or elective courses for the IBus majors and minor

Course Sequencing Tips

Upon completion of the College of Management's Foundation Courses [COM] (including all prerequisites noted above) and at least several of COM's Core Courses, you are strongly advised to successfully complete either IBus 311 International Business Environment and Operations or Econ 314 International and Comparative Economics, followed by IBus 312 International Political Economy (offered Spring Semester only).

One or more of the following IBus Electives should be taken next, depending on the major or minor requirements:

• IBus 450 Legal Aspects of International Business
• Fin 550 International Financial Management
• HRM 585 International Human Resource Management
• Mktg 453 International Purchasing [2 credits]
• Mktg 455 Supply Chain Management
• Mktg 480 International Marketing

Finally, at least one of the IBus equivalents of a capstone course is required:  

• IBus 491 Doing Business in China, Hong Kong & Taiwan
• IBus 492 Doing Business Japan, S. Korea, S. & SE Asia
• IBus 493 Doing Business in Europe
• IBus 495 Doing Business in Latin America

Course Planner (Download the PDF version)

Course	Format		Semester		Meets the following requirements
		Fall	Spring	Summer
IBus 311 International Business Environment and Operations	Classroom   Reduced seat time/ web-enhanced   Internet   FDIS	X             X	X             X   X	X   X	Goal VIII IBus Major & Minor Required course
IBus 312 International Political Economy	Classroom		X		IBus Major & Minor Required course
Econ 314 International & Comparative Economics	Classroom	X	X	X	Goal 5, Goal VIII, Liberal Studies IBus Major & Minor Required course
IBus 450 Legal Aspects of International Business	Classroom     SDIS	X [even years] as needed			IBus Major & Minor Elective
Fin 550 International Financial Management	Classroom	X	X		IBus Major & Minor Elective
HRM 585 International Human Resource Management	Internet		X		IBus Major & Minor Elective
Mktg 453 International Purchasing [2 cr]	Classroom				IBus Major Elective
Mktg 455  Supply Chain Management	Classroom   Internet	X	X	X	IBus Major or Minor Elective
Mktg 480 International Marketing	Classroom   Internet	X	X	X	Goal VIII IBus Major & Minor Elective
IBus 491 Doing Business in China, Hong King & Taiwan	Classroom		X [odd years]		IBus Major & Minor ‘capstone’ [One required]
IBus 492 Doing Business in Japan, S. Korea, S & SE Asia	Classroom		X [even years]		IBus Major & Minor ‘capstone’ [One required]
IBus 493 Doing Business in Europe	Classroom	X [odd years]			IBus Major & Minor 'capstone' [One required]
IBus 495 Doing Business in Latin America	Classroom	X [even years]			IBus Major & Minor 'capstone' [One required]

Links for More Information

For more information about the International Business B.S. Major, see
http://archive.metrostate.edu/com/dept/interbus/index.html

For more information about the International Business Minor, see
http://archive.metrostate.edu/com/dept/interbus/minor.html

Graduates of the IBus major and minor programs should achieve the following outcomes:

• Understand the theoretical principles and day-to-day practices of international business and their implications for a firm's various domestic functions;
• Describe and analyze the political, technological, market, cost and competitive drivers that are pushing international firms to globalize their operations;
• Recognize the different management issues associated with a company's stage of development in its international market entry planning, evaluate international business management practices, and design effective global business strategies;
• Understand the U.S. position in world trade and the impact international business has on the country;
• Know the principles and procedures of international business well enough to apply concepts of gender, ethnicity, ethics, and religion to intercultural business transactions;
• Develop skills to critically analyze and use data with an international perspective to make better management decisions and utilize resources effectively.

International Business Career Tips

The most frequently mentioned skills needed in new hires by companies doing business internationally are writing, teamwork, computer software, presentation skills and project leadership skills.

Visit the following websites for international employment information:

http://www.exportassistance.com/export_jobs.html

http://www.fita.org/jobs/

http://www.jobopenings.net/jobs_by_state.php?state=MN

Or use a search engine typing in "International Jobs" - you'll be amazed at what you find!

Key Minnesota-based organizations that provide practically focused education and professional growth opportunities:

Midwest Global Trade Association at http://www.mgta.org/index/index1.html

Minnesota International Center at http://www.micglobe.org/

For related International Business information visit these websites:

http://www.buyusa.gov/minnesota/

http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/

http://www.export.gov/

http://www.exportassistance.com/

http://www.exportminnesota.com/PDFs/iMktRes.pdf

http://www.worldtrademag.com