The international business major emphasizes international business, international economics and other global courses, combined with in-depth language study in Chinese, French, or Spanish.

As you learn about international business, you broaden your awareness of the world. Our international business students are exposed to a wide range of issues that focus on cultural differences and similarities. Students are encouraged to apply for a semester of study abroad in one of the many programs offered through the HPU Office of Study Abroad.

HPU offers a wide variety of international courses. Our international business faculty are committed to undergraduate education and scholarship. The primary interests and experiences of our professors are diverse, ranging from international economic theory to applied international business operations in management, marketing, and finance. We take pride in the quality of our teaching and in the progress and success of all our students.

The International Business Program is conducted in cooperation with the Modern Foreign Languages Department. Our curriculum seeks to prepare international business graduates culturally and socially, as well as professionally, for this rapidly expanding field of employment in the global economy.

For more information regarding the international business major at High Point University, please click on the corresponding links to your left.

Competitiveness in today’s business environment often requires business executives and managers to think and act globally.  An education in international business combined with second language proficiency is increasingly important for both international and domestic business success.

Our international business program emphasizes international business and economics, as well as foreign language study and other global courses such as political geography and international relations.  International business students are encouraged to take complementary courses in business administration, economics, the humanities, and the social sciences to expand their global understanding and to gain a greater knowledge of related issues.

Important skills emphasized in the International Business Program include written and oral communication, marketing, teamwork, second language competency, people skills, cultural diversity, and world geography.

International business students are encouraged to complete an internship relating to their area of study.  International business students should visit Career & Internship Services to learn more about job interviews, job openings, and resumes.

A degree or concentration in international business prepares students to function in many entry- and mid-level positions in firms actively involved in business activities across international borders, or to begin a career in the international civil service or international legal profession.  Your career accomplishments, however, relate just as much to your interests, work effort, and job skills as to your academic major.  Majoring in international business is excellent preparation for those who wish to pursue graduate study in business, economics, or law.  An international business major or concentration provides a strong background for those seeking an MBA.

Examples of career fields relating to international business include the following:  international marketing specialist, international product manager, international sales analyst, international financial analyst, international customer liaison, international stockbroker, purchasing manager, and export/import manager.

International Business Major Requirements

The B.S.B.A. in International Business prepares students to function in entry- and mid-level positions in firms actively engaged in trading across international borders, or to begin a career in the international civil service or international legal profession.  This program, conducted in cooperation with the Modern Foreign Languages Department, seeks to prepare the graduate culturally and socially, as well as professionally, for this rapidly expanding field of employment.

In order to accomplish this goal, students in the international business major become proficient in the use of Chinese, French, or Spanish through an extensive exposure to the foreign language.  Additionally, students are exposed to a broad range of issues which emphasize cultural differences as well as similarities.  Majors will be prepared for employment in positions requiring significant foreign travel, which is also encouraged during the student’s academic career through study abroad programs. 

Requirements for B.S.B.A. in International Business

78-79 credits, 2014-2015 Catalog Year

(This total is reduced by 8 hours for students who place at or above the FRE/SPN 2130 level.)

• ACC 2010.  Financial Accounting (4)
• ACC 2020.  Managerial Accounting (4)
• BUA 2990.  Business Communications and Professional Development (4)
• ECO 2030.  Principles of Macroeconomics (4)
• ECO 2050.  Principles of Microeconomics (4)
• FIN 3010.    Financial Management (4)
• MFL 2991.   Intercultural Business Communication (1)
• MGT 2220.  Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior (4)
• MGT 3280.  Operations and Supply Chain Management (4)
• MKT 2110.   Principles of Marketing (4)
• MTH 1310.  Calculus for Business and Social Sciences (4) OR MTH 1410 Calculus I (4)
• STS 2610.   Quantitative Methods (4)

Take these international business courses:  

• ECO/GBS 4430.  Comparative Economics (4)
• MKT 3750.           International Marketing (4)

AND choose one more international course from:

• ECO/GBS 3460.   International Economics (4)
• MFL 3010.            Intercultural Perspectives in Business (4)
• MGT 4050.           Global Logistics (4)

OR a different pre-approved international business course abroad

Take these language courses:

• FRE/SPN 2010.  Intermediate Language I (4)
• FRE/SPN 2020.  Intermediate Language II (4)
• FRE/SPN 2130.  Readings/Conversation/Culture (name varies by language) (4)
• FRE/SPN 2140.   Grammar Review (2)
• FRE 3030; or SPN 3050, SPN 3930*, or SPN 3940*.  Civilization/Culture/World (name varies by course) (4)
• FRE/SPN 3180.  Business Language (4)

OR these language courses:

• CHI 1013.  Chinese Calligraphy and Phonetics (1)
• CHI 2010.  Intermediate Chinese I (4)
• CHI 2020.  Intermediate Chinese II (4)
• CHI 2050.  Oral Communication (4)
• CHI 2080.  Grammar and Composition (4)
• CHI 3180.  Chinese for Business (4)

*All SPN courses in this category have prerequisites of SPN 2130 with a grade of C or higher, and SPN 2140.  The courses SPN 3930 and SPN 3040 have additional prerequisites of junior standing, and one previous 3000 level SPN course.

1. At least 50 percent of traditional business credit hours in this major must be completed at High Point University.  Traditional business subjects include courses with the following prefixes: ACC, BUA, ECO, ENT, FIN, MGT, and MKT.

2. Students are encouraged also to consider internships, undergraduate research, or independent study in business, beyond the standard requirements.

3. It is recommended that students take PSC 2710 and a world religion course as part of their general education courses.

The School of Business and Modern Foreign Languages Department faculty support student involvement in cross-cultural experiences.  Students are encouraged to study in foreign cultural environments through numerous student exchange programs, summer travel abroad programs, and the Study Abroad program.