International Business Options

Knowledge of how business is done beyond the borders of the United States is more important than ever for today's business professionals. To stay competitive, U.S. firms must be prepared to operate in the global economy. An international business education can help position graduates for interesting and productive careers, either working abroad or dealing with the growing international dimensions of business conducted in the U.S.

The University of Kansas offers many international business study options. The School of Business offers courses focusing on international aspects of business disciplines (e.g., marketing, finance, human resources) and business practices in different geographic areas of the world. Courses in other KU departments also offer key insights into international business. Various specialization tracks are available for students who want more in-depth knowledge of international business.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONCENTRATION / Undergraduates

Students who wish to pursue a concentration in international business must complete a World Area Study option (1, 2, or 3 below), along with an introductory international business course and three Advanced Business Electives in international business.

1. World Area Study option 1: Foreign Language-- Students must complete the fourth level of a foreign language.
2. World Area Study option 2: Area Study-- Students must complete four courses covering topics on a single region of the world. A list of approved courses is available in the Business School Advising Office, 206 Summerfield Hall.
   Areas of interest include: Africa, Asia & the Pacific, Latin America, Russia & Eastern Europe, and Western Europe.
3. World Area Study option 3: Foreign Language & Area Study-- Students must complete at least two levels of a foreign language, then complete two courses on a related area.

For more information on these concentrations, visit the Business School web site at www.business.ku.edu.

Contact an advisor in 206 Summerfield or at (785) 864-7500 for more information!

FOREIGN LANGUAGE/AREA STUDIES CONCENTRATION

Undergraduate students may also combine a business degree with a concentration from another department. For students interested in international business, there are many possibilities for an outside concentration, including:

• African Studies
• American Studies
• East Asian Language & Culture
• European Studies
• French
• Germanic Languages
• Latin American Studies
• Slavic Languages
• Spanish

For more information on these concentrations, visit the Business School web site at www.business.ku.edu.

DEAN'S CERTIFICATE IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

The Dean's Certificate in International Business is awarded to those students who demonstrate a superior knowledge of a region, its culture, language, and business practices. Students wanting to pursue the Dean's Certificate in International Business must see an advisor in 206 Summerfield Hall before starting work towards the Certificate.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEAN'S CERTIFICATE IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

JOINT MBA / MA DEGREES IN LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES OR RUSSIAN & EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES

To respond to the need for business professionals who also have a geographic area expertise, the University offers joint MBA/MA degrees with Latin American Studies and Russian & East European Studies. Both are nationally recognized area studies programs offering the Master of Arts degree.

To learn more about this joint degree option for masters students, call the Business School advising office at (785) 864-7500 or e-mail Elizabeth at .

The world of business means that future managers must be prepared to operate internationally, deal with competition from abroad, and collaborate with a diverse work force.

• One of six American manufacturing jobs is in the export sector.
  From the U.S. Department of Commerce, STAT USA, 2001

• Wages for U.S. jobs supported by merchandise exports are 20% higher than the national average.
  Department of Commerce

• One of every seven dollars of U.S. sales is to someone abroad.
  From the U.S. Department of Commerce, STAT USA, 2001

• One of every three cars, nine of every ten television sets, two of every three suits, and every video recorder sold in the United States is imported.
  From the U.S. Department of Commerce, STAT USA, 2001

• Of the companies surveyed by CIBERs in 2002, 80% said they will place a greater emphasis on international competence among their staff over the next ten years.
  Kedia & Daniel, U.S. Business Needs for Employees with International Expertise, 2002