Frequently Asked Questions

IB majors will have the opportunity to take foundational courses in all of the functional areas of business (management, marketing, economics, informational systems, decision sciences, finance, accounting, and operations), specialized courses in international business (international trade, international management, international marketing and international finance), language training in the language of their choice pertaining to the area of emphasis which they have chosen, and courses from geography, history, and political science which focuses on the chosen area of emphasis.

The IB major will get a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business with an area of emphasis chosen from one of three regional areas presently available: East Asia, Europe and Latin America. Each of these areas of emphasis would contain language training as well as political/geographical/historical training pertaining to that area along with directly related Study Abroad opportunities to allow the student to gain an integrated and practical knowledge about that particular regional area and at the same time make them more attractive to businesses strategically aiming at developing international interests in particular areas of the world.

International Business graduates are considered generalists in international business. They have an area of emphasis that they have studied which includes not only language training but also course work focusing on geographic, historical, and political issues in that area of the world. Employers find that these kinds of skills are extremely important when developing international business operations and initiatives. Many businesses do not know how to develop international business contacts or even how to strategically approach the global market, and they find it helpful to turn to people with these kinds of skills and training to maintain viability in an increasingly global competitive arena.

Potential employers would include businesses already doing business with international customers, businesses interested, but not yet involved, in developing international customers and contacts, international businesses with branch offices in the Hampton Roads area, as well as a variety of firms engaged in service to internationally-oriented businesses (e.g., port service firms, shipping/maritime companies, and export management companies).

There are many opportunities for learning outside the classroom which are available - class projects that allow students to interact with local businesses doing business internationally. Students may get the chance to work on such projects as business plans or marketing research reports.

Internship opportunities are also available which allow the students to work with a company involved in international business for a semester. This provides great experience which looks good on the resume, and it allows the student to network with people who might be potential employers.

Student membership in the Foreign Commerce Club provides the ability to interact with area executives operating in international business.

Also, all International Business majors are expected to participate in a Study Abroad experience. A series of potential Study Abroad choices are available for summer, semester, or a year from a wide range of different countries and universities within those countries.

Finally, the University operates as Cooperative Education Program, in which students who qualify can alternate semesters of coursework with semesters of full-time employment for international business elective credit.

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International Business