As an international business major, you'll develop the mindset, competencies, and an appreciation of cultural differences that'll give you an edge in today's global job market.

International Business

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The need for business managers to work in the global economy is rapidly growing. As an international business major, you'll develop the mindset, competencies, and an appreciation of cultural differences that'll give you an edge in today's global job market.

Degrees & Offerings
  • B.S.B.A.
Location
  • Bloomsburg
  • Lock Haven
  • Mansfield
Department
College
Program Contact
Professor and Chair of Department of Management
Illustration of Mountain

Commonwealth University’s international business program is uniquely designed with a qualitative liberal arts foundation, a business core, and an interdisciplinary IB core, including a short-term faculty-led study abroad opportunity and a choice of concentration that provides you with functional skills in addition to the required business core and IB major knowledge, which increases your job marketability after graduation.  

As an international business major, you'll develop the mindset, competencies, and an appreciation of cultural differences that'll give you an edge in today's global job market.

Department faculty are dedicated to offering experiential learning with an innovative curriculum. Promoting student engagement with field trips, hands-on projects, internships, case competitions, and professional organizations are staples of the international business program. Our focus is to build students’ skills and leadership abilities so they're business ready from day one.  

Students will develop a competitive advantage as they participate in the Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD). The annual ZIPD Business Conference is a highlight of the year as students network, connect, and interact with successful business professionals, many of whom are alumni.

Why study international business?

Pursuing international business will increase your understanding of global markets and various regions of the world, thus enhancing your marketability in the business profession. As an international business major, you'll have greater insights into the global economic and business climates. Adding a global education component, such as study abroad, will only be more beneficial for your efforts to potentially work anywhere across the globe.  

The international business major is unique because the program provides you both functional expertise that increases your marketability immediately following graduation, and liberal arts and international business expertise that will enable you to more rapidly adapt to the growing complexities of managing organizations in an international setting.  

In addition to 6 functional concentrations in business, the international business program includes two concentrations (Economics and Policy & Globalization), which were developed in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts.

Program Overview

As an international business major, you'll develop the mindset, competencies, and an appreciation of cultural differences that'll give you an edge in today's global job market.
  • AACSB Accredited: The International Business program is accredited by AACSB International, the hallmark of business education worldwide. The accreditation means we offer high-quality programs that meet the most rigorous standards. Many top, global corporations only recruit from AACSB-accredited schools. Those graduates are offered better, more competitive salaries.
  • CUIBE Membership: Commonwealth University is a full member of the Consortium for Undergraduate International Business Education (CUIBE), which provides an opportunity for our international business program to share best practices and benchmark against nationally ranked member schools. This membership enhances and supports our capabilities in developing and delivering an international business program that will develop the appropriate skills and knowledge in graduates to function effectively in global business.  
  • College of Distinction: Commonwealth University has earned national recognition as a College of Distinction for its business programs, honored for its quality and high-impact preparation for successful business professionals.
  • Global Business Association (GBA): The purpose of the Global Business Association (GBA) is to help students appreciate cross-cultural differences, trends in globalization and its effect on society, and the growing importance of business operations across national borders.  In addition, it organizes activities and events that promote cultural awareness and diversity on campus and advance the professional development of those interested in international business. 
  • Faculty Led Study Abroad Trip: View our slideshow from our Summer 2024 CU-Bloomsburg faculty led study abroad trip to Vietnam.
  • Accelerated MBA: Start your MBA your senior year through the Accelerated MBA program, which allows students from any major to use MBA classes towards upper-level undergraduate coursework. Students can choose from one of 7 concentrations: Accounting, Analytics, Healthcare Management, Leadership and Human Resources, Marketing, Strategic Global Decisions, and a Build-Your-Own option! 

Course Delivery Format

  Bloomsburg

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Lock Haven

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Mansfield

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

  Clearfield

  Face-to-Face
  Online
  Hybrid

Courses and Curriculum

Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Students who complete the program in any concentration will be able to:

  1. Acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct business in an international setting
  2. Recognize the complexity of international business through coursework and participation in the study abroad program
  3. Develop an appreciation of cultural diversity
  4. Apply functional expertise in managing multi-national business enterprises
  5. Analyze the challenges expatriates may face in a foreign environment such as security, food, language, cultural and climatic adjustment, medical practices, diversity of ethical practices, diversity of political ideologies, and religious beliefs
  6. Build flexibility in dealing with logistics of international travel
  7. Demonstrate willingness to learn and show geocentric values and non-ethnocentric disposition.
  8. Apply their area of study's knowledge and skills in an international business setting.

The accelerated MBA allows students from any major to use MBA classes towards upper-level undergraduate coursework. Students participating in the MBA Accelerated Program should meet the following qualifications:

  • Senior Status
  • Any Major
  • 3.0 GPA or Above
  • Complete the MBA Graduate Admissions Application
  • If accepted, students will be enrolled as provisional admission.

Provisional admission: Students participating in the Accelerated MBA Program will need to maintain the following while participating in the program:

  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Graduate with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Achieve a B+ or higher in MBA courses taken

Coursework Details:

  • Business Students: MBA graduate courses may be used in exchange for undergraduate courses within the Zeigler College of Business. Up to 4 MBA graduate courses can be applied to undergraduate courses with the approval of the advisor, department chair, program coordinator, and dean. These courses can be existing undergraduate business courses or electives. This assessment will be through a collaborative case-by-case process.
  • Non-Business Students: With the permission of their advisor, department chair, MBA program coordinator, and business dean, majors outside of the Zeigler College of Business may enroll in up to 4 MBA graduate courses. These courses may be applied at the discretion of their program and college, for example, undergraduate electives.
  • Performance: Students enrolling in the Accelerated MBA Program must meet the MBA program's expectations and complete the required courses that lead to the award of an MBA degree. If a student's cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 or a letter grade below B+ is received, an assessment will be conducted between the MBA Coordinator and advisor, potentially leading to the removal from the program.
  • Students have an opportunity to take a second concentration and would require 9-credits for the chosen concentration.

Learn More

Department of Management
Illustration of Mountain

International Travel

Study Abroad

Short-term, faculty-led study abroad trips are offered to help students:

  • Gain first-hand experience to cultures and business practices outside the United States.
  • Increase awareness of cultural differences and diversity.
  • Develop cultural competencies and the global mindsets.
  • Build confidence in travelling, relocating, and quick adapting to cultural changes

View our slideshow from our Summer 2024 CU-Bloomsburg faculty led study abroad trip to Vietnam!

ONWARD AND UPWARD

75x75-aacsb-accredited
Accreditation
Many top, global corporations only recruit from AACSB-accredited schools. Those grads are offered better, more competitive salaries.
5%
Job Growth Expected
Globalization, a growing economy, and a complex tax and regulatory environment are expected to continue to lead to strong demand, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
CUIBE Membership
Membership
Enhances and supports our capabilities in developing and delivering programs that will develop the appropriate skills and knowledge in graduates to function effectively in global business.
business distinction
College of Distinction
Commonwealth University has earned national recognition as a College of Distinction for its business programs, honored for its quality and high-impact preparation for successful business professionals.

Careers

Our students get jobs in almost each and every business function, including starting their own business or managing their family business. They work in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, sport and hospitality, real estate, and healthcare services. Many of our students go on to graduate programs, such as those offered at Commonwealth University. The international business program includes eight specializations tailored to help students succeed in the area of expertise they desire. Graduates with an international business expertise are projected to be in an increasing demand, as the gross domestic products (GDP) of both developed and developing countries continue to rely more heavily on international trade and investment.

Potential Job Opportunities

  • Finance
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology Management
  • Marketing and Sales
  • Supply Chain

Top Skills Employers are Looking For

  • Adaptation
  • Application of Ethical Frameworks
  • Critical Thinking and Analytical
  • Cross-Cultural Team Leadership and Contribution
  • Problem-Solving

Continue to Explore

International Business Student Experiences
Ashley Davis, International Business Student - Class of 2023

ZIPD has allowed me to grow as a professional in the business world, and it's provided me with networking events to prepare me for the future.

Ashley Davis, Class of 2023
International Business
Ashley Davis, International Business Student - Class of 2023

International Business Contacts

Lam

Lam Nguyen

  • Professor and Chair of Department of Management
  • Bloomsburg
Michael

Michael Golubiewski

  • Secretary of the Department of Management and International Business
  • Bloomsburg

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