International Business Program

All programs offered by the Foster College of Business, Bradley University, are accredited by the AACSB International: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Faculty: Faculty: Iyer (Director), Foley, Rubash, Highfill.

The international business major is interdisciplinary, integrating international studies and foreign languages with business. Supplementing the academic program are opportunities for participating in internships with international companies, study abroad, and internationally oriented business outreach.

The objective of the international business curriculum is to provide opportunities for students to gain competence in various aspects of global business operations. In addition, a broad training incorporating international studies and foreign language will make the student better prepared to assume managerial positions with business enterprises. Most international business majors will seek employment with companies engaged in international business activities, such as exporters and multinational corporations. Other potential employers include international business intermediaries (banks, trading companies, research and consulting firms, transportation agencies, port authorities, and so on), international economic institutions, and state and federal agencies.

The need for a separate curriculum in international business is reinforced by growing internationalization and globalization of American business and interdependency of world economies. Today, businesses find themselves in intense competition with foreign companies here at home. More direct involvement in international business comes in the form of global sourcing activities, exporting, licensing and technology transfer, and foreign direct investment. A variety of small and large companies in the manufacturing, service, and agricultural sectors currently participate in international business.

Students may study international business at Bradley University in three ways. First, students may major in international business leading to an undergraduate baccalaureate degree. Others may pursue international business in addition to another major outside the Foster College of Business. Still others may take as electives one or more courses in international business.

Graduation Requirements

International Business Major Requirements

In addition to the University and Foster College of Business requirements, students enrolled in the international business major must fulfill the following requirements:

World Language - 12 hrs.

• For French, German, or Spanish: 12 hours at 200 level or above, with 3 semesters in the same language.
• For Portuguese, Russian, Hindi, or Mandarin: 12 hours at the 100 level or above, with all credits in a single language.

International Studies - 6 hrs.

IS 103, 104 Introduction to International Studies - 6 hrs.

Area Studies* - 6 hrs.

• Africa: IS 340, 440, 448
• Asia: IS 182, 385
• East Asia: HIS 207, IB 204, IS 285, 318, 381
• Europe: IS 330, 331
• Globalization: IS 410, 475
• Latin America: HIS 125, IS 322, 323
• Middle East: HIS 206, IS 363
• Russia/CIS: HIS 208, IS 353, 355, 359
• South & Southeast Asia: IS 373

* An IS course used to satisfy the BCC World Cultures or Global Perspectives requirement may be counted toward the Area Studies requirement in International Business. Courses fulfilling the Area Studies requirement, other than those listed above, must be approved by the director of the International Business program. 

International Business - 15 hrs.

• IB 206 Introduction to International Business - 3 hrs. (required for all International Business majors)
• IB 302 Global Trade Management - 3 hrs.
• IB 323 International Financial Management - 3 hrs.
• IB 390 International Monetary Economics or IB 391 International Trade* - 3 hrs.
• IB 446 Global Marketing Management - 3 hrs.
• A Second Major or Minor in Business - minimum 12 hrs.

Complete a minor or second major in the FCB with a minimum of 12 unique credit hours. 

Study Abroad - 3 hrs.

In addition to the above requirements, each international business major is required to earn at least three semester hours (or the equivalent) of college credit while enrolled in one or more approved study abroad programs.

Other Requirements

1. The total number of semester hours required for the international business major, including college and university requirements, is 124 hours.
2. International business majors must plan their schedules to include Introduction to International Studies I and II (IS 103 and 104) as well as two Area Studies offerings (courses dealing with Latin America, Europe, Africa, Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, or East Asia). Problems of the Developing World (IS 275) may be taken as one of the Area Studies requirements. Students can fulfill their area studies requirements as part of non-Western civilization and social forces and institutions courses as long as they select those courses that are in the approved general education curriculum.
3. International business majors must complete a total of 12 semester hours of world language study:
   For French, German, or Spanish, the 12 hours must be at the 200 level or above. It is recommended that students concentrate on the best proficiency possible in one world language, but it is possible to take 9 hours in one language and 3 hours in another (at the 200 level or above). Those students who have previously studied a world language must take the placement test given by the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Students who place at the 300-level should consult with the chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures to determine the best sequence of courses for them. These students will have the opportunity to take several of their required courses in specially designed courses such as Commercial Language, Introduction to Translation, Civilization and Culture, Spanish Interpretation, Everyday and Idiomatic French, and so on. International business majors especially interested in achieving an advanced level of oral proficiency in a world language are encouraged to spend a summer, a semester, or a year studying abroad. 
   For Portuguese, Russian, Hindi, or Mandarin, the 12 hours may be at the 100 level or above, but all credits must be earned in a single language.
   Students whose native language is not English are strongly urged to pursue 12 hours of study above the 100-level in a world language offered at Bradley, particularly if they already have a basic knowledge of that language. However, foreign students whose native language is not English but is one widely used in international trade may choose (with the approval of the international business director) to increase their knowledge of the language and culture of the United States by completing the following curriculum in lieu of the world language requirement.
   • Three hours of English language or linguistics in addition to the University 300-level writing requirement, to be selected from the following: ENG 300, ENG 301, ENG 304, or ENG 306.
   • Three hours of American literature: ENG 233, 235, or 336.
   • Six hours of American studies (only 3 hours of which may be taken per department) to be selected from: AAS 200, HIS 300, HIS 311, PLS 105, and WGS 200.
4. All International Business (IB) majors need to complete IB 302 in the junior year before signing up for IB 446 in their senior year of their program. All IB majors need to complete IB 446 before they can sign up for their capstone course (BUS 400 section 9).

   • Note: IB 302 and IB 446 are typically offered only in the Fall semester and BUS 400 section 9 is offered only in Spring semester.

Typical Course Sequence

For a four-year course plan for each major in the Foster College of Business, go to: http://www.bradley.edu/academic/colleges/fcba/.

Study Abroad And Co-Op Opportunities

International business majors are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one study abroad experience. The university offers ongoing study abroad opportunities described elsewhere in this catalog. For opportunities relating to participation in other overseas study programs, students should inquire with the university's director of study abroad.

The business Cooperative Education/Internship opportunity is also described elsewhere in this catalog. Opportunities may become available for international business majors to obtain their practical experience in a position related to international business.

This is the official catalog for the 2020-2021 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.