Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Department of Management
College of Business Administration
International business is a relatively new major that covers a broad range of academic areas. Generally business internationalists must be familiar with politics, economics, law, culture, religion, value systems, geography, history and language. An international business manager must have a broad understanding of the total world environment.
Only a small percentage of international business graduates are initially employed in an international organization. Most graduates accept positions within the domestic division of an international company and perform a basic business function such as marketing, accounting, public or labor relations, law, personnel, finance or production.
Within three to five years, opportunities to work directly with international business operations may occur at three levels: work with an international division on activities in the United States, work with an international activity that requires occasional or frequent trips to different countries, or work on an assignment in a foreign country for a period of time.
Opportunities also exist in foreign companies which have subsidiaries in the U.S. A student who selects elective courses carefully may qualify for a career in an international organization such as the World Bank, United Nations or the International Monetary Fund. International opportunities also exist with federal and state governments.
The course requirements for the international business specialization include International Trade and Finance; two international courses from specified finance, legal studies and marketing courses; six credit hours from an approved list in area studies, economics, foreign language, geography, history, political science or education abroad programs, and a capstone course.
Students complete at least the intermediate level of a foreign language. The intermediate-level courses may also be counted toward BG Perspective requirements. Students who take elementary-level foreign language courses may count those towards non-business or free electives.
Students are also encouraged to take additional courses in or complete a second specialization and/or a foreign language minor.
The University offers ample opportunity to gain exposure to international cultures through contact with foreign students. Students in the international business program may spend a summer session at the Audencia ecole de management, NANTES, a leading French business school, where courses are conducted in English. International study opportunities at universities in Korea, Japan, France, Austria and Spain are available to students with appropriate language skills.
In addition, internship programs with international business firms may be arranged. International Travel Grants are available to BGSU students who pursue an international dimension to their studies.
The College of Business Administration offers outstanding academic programs, nationally recognized chapters of professional student organizations, a large base of scholarship support and a tradition of success based on providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a competitive business environment. The college maintains close ties with regional and national businesses.
The undergraduate and master’s business programs are accredited by the AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Less than 500 colleges and universities worldwide that confer business degrees have achieved this recognition for assuring quality and continuous improvement in their programs, faculty and resources.
Courses in economics, world history, geography, foreign language and culture provide a good background for international business study. Reading skills should also be developed to improve efficiency in absorbing the mass of information necessary to gain a broad perspective on worldwide activities.
Completing the requirements for high school graduation is necessary for admission to BGSU, but only finishing the minimum coursework will leave you unprepared for college. Consider taking four years of mathematics instead of the three that are required. Two, three or even four years of the same foreign language is excellent preparation for college. You will also benefit from competency in computer use. Courses that provide exposure to or training in the visual and performing arts are excellent choices.
Entrance to the College of Business Administration as a pre-business or economics student is selective. New freshman and new transfer students may apply for entrance to the College with their application for University admission. Math and composite ACT scores (or equivalent SAT scores) are used in the selection process.
Admission to BGSU does not guarantee admission to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program. Students enroll in the College of Business Administration as pre-business students. Full admission to the BSBA program requires completion of calculus and a set of introductory business courses with a satisfactory grade point average. The BSBA degree will be granted only to those students who achieve BSBA admission and fulfill all degree requirements.
Students who have questions should contact undergraduate student development in the College of Business Administration, 419-372-2747.
The following is a sample of courses appropriate for all BSBA students. Actual courses taken will vary depending upon personal interests and electives selected.
For a complete listing of course requirements, please refer to the BGSU undergraduate catalog: www.bgsu.edu/catalog/.
Generally, non-business courses taken at either two-year or four-year institutions are accepted for transfer credit by the College of Business Administration.
For students who transfer to BGSU from a two-year institution, courses that match introductory business courses offered by the CBA are acceptable for transfer credit.
Ordinarily, transfer credit is not accepted for business courses beyond the introductory level that require junior or senior standing at BGSU. However, students who believe that they have sufficient background in the subject matter of a course may be permitted by the appropriate department to take an examination for credit in the course.
For students who transfer to BGSU from a four-year institution, equivalent lower-level, introductory and business core courses are often accepted for transfer credit. Upper-level business courses in an area of specialization may be accepted up to a maximum of 50 percent of the coursework required within a given area of specialization.
The international business minor is available to all students except those completing the international business specialization in the BSBA degree. The minor consists of 15 to 33 hours of business courses. For more information, see the Undergraduate Catalog.
BGSU's website for future students contains University highlights, admissions procedures, financial aid information and many department profiles. It can be accessed at www.bgsu.edu.
Bowling Green State University is a vibrant university that engages, challenges and prepares students for meaningful futures. At BGSU, students enjoy an education that integrates personal growth, academic excellence and an environment that expands their thinking and potential. A mid-size residential university, BGSU has an enrollment of approximately 20,000 and a full-time faculty of more than 900 on its main campus. More than 200 undergraduate majors and programs are offered as well as master's and doctoral level programs.
NOTE: Information in this guide is subject to change without notice. To learn more about the official program of study for International Business, please check the undergraduate catalog online at www.bgsu.edu/catalog/CBA/CBA29.html.
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