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 and Professional Development 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.

Featured Graduate Outcomes:

Griff Caligiuri, ’19 – Consultant Analyst at Accenture

“Explore different career paths through internship/employment opportunities to find out what you’re passionate about. Utilize as many resources as possible like the Office of Career and Professional Development, professors, coaches, friends, parents, family or alumni. Apply for positions early to show initiative and passion for the role, and don’t fear rejection or be afraid to reach out to any professional. Work hard for good grades, give back to the community and be personable, nice and genuine.”

Caroline Tucker, ’17 – Area Manager at Amazon

“High Point University has shown me my academic potential and what I can achieve if I challenge myself everyday. I have learned through classes, professors and friends that I am capable of being so much more than what I gave myself credit for. It has also given me self-confidence, which has helped me achieve my day-to-day tasks and my long-term goals.”

Liz Reichart, ’17, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant.

The Fulbright Program is a flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government that provides participants – chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential – with the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. This prestigious award, given by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, will send Reichart to Bonn, Germany to study the economics of renewable energy.

A Hudson, Ohio native, Reichart graduated from HPU with degrees in international business and graphic design. Reichart’s Fulbright proposal project was inspired by her intended career path and her passion for journalism, economics, environmental studies and foreign cultures. She plans to become an international professional in sustainability, whether it be an environmental lawyer, a Foreign Service member or an international development expert.

“There is an enormous amount of work to be done in the search for sustainable solutions and the fiduciary measures that support them,” says Reichart. “This project came out of the urgent nature of this topic and the innovative answers that only cultural exchange can provide. My hope is that if Germany can create a complex economy based on renewable energy, applicable solutions exist for the United States.”

Stephanie Ziolkowski, ’16 – Human Relations and Executive Assistant at SREE Hotels

“The most impactful mentor for me at HPU is Dr. Claudia Femenias, my Spanish professor and academic advisor throughout my four years at High Point. She encouraged me to change my Spanish minor to a double major with International Business, and assured me that I could handle the extra work load when I was skeptical. She also helped convince me that studying abroad in Spain would make a world of difference in my Spanish pronunciation and fluency. She helped me choose the right classes to take while abroad to make the most of my experience, while also maintaining a rigorous course load. She often believed in my Spanish ability more than I did, and challenged me both inside and outside of the classroom. I couldn’t have graduated with a double major in International Business and Spanish without Dr. Femenias’ help and support.”

Chas Bassing, ’16 – Financial Representative and Team Captain at Northwestern Mutual 

HPU helped me by giving me access to the Career & Professional Development center. This team has helped me go through several drafts of my resume to land an internship each summer. HPU also offered me an environment that breeds success. I also used the career center’s PantherLink to find internships.”

Cassie Williams, ’15 – Inbound Annuities Representative at Lincoln Financial

“High Point University has provided me with an outstanding liberal arts education that has given me a well-rounded foundation for future success, along with unlimited resources and opportunities. High Point University also constantly surrounded me with professors who truly cared about my success while motivating and encouraging me to succeed.”

Stefanie Vorleiter, 15 – Lenovo’s Accelerated Sales Rotational (LASR) Program

“The classes I took and the resources I got from the university and professors helped me prepare, apply, and be confident when looking for jobs. Career and Professional Development also helped me look for internships and jobs. They helped me create, revise, and perfect my resume, LinkedIn, and other documents needed.“

Samuel Mickey, ’14 – Pursuing MBA at D’amore-Mckim School of Business at Northeastern University

“High Point University provided me with time management and organizational skills that have allowed me to remain consistently focused on my goals. My experiences at High Point University have taught me to maintain the confidence that is necessary to communicate effectively with important executives.”

McKenna Adams, ’14 – Supply Chain Professional Development Program (PDP) with Northrop Grumman Corporation

“During one of the High Point Furniture Markets, I was hired by Bernhardt Furniture to work within their export department to improve communication with their Chinese accounts.”

HPU International Business Majors have accepted these positions:

• Amazon:  Area Manager
• Civicom:  Non-profit sponsor development
• Comdata:  Regional Relationship Manager
• Cowan Systems LLC:  Logistic Sales Manager
• Doximity:  Talent Finder Sales Development
• Edward Jones:  Financial Advisor
• Estancias La Asunta:  Executive Assistant
• Export-Import Bank of the United States:  Business Development Assistant
• EY – Ernst & Young:  Financial Crimes Compliance
• First Data Corporation:  Sales Analyst
• Fleet Laboratories:  International Regulatory Affairs Deputy
• Gartner:  Sales
• Global Secure Resources:  Analytical Assistant
• JPMorgan Chase:  Finance Analyst
• Main Street Hub:  Community Manager
• MIT Sloan School of Management:  Recruiting Assistant
• Northwestern Mutual:  Financial Advisor
• Scott Safety:  Staff Accountant
• Spanish Institute for Global Education:  English Teaching Assistant
• Stanley Black & Decker:  Supply Chain Analyst
• Sunfield Institute:  English Instructor
• Tableau Software:  Marketing Development Representative
• The Hartford:  Associate of the Leadership Development Program
• Vanguard Events Inc.:  Campaign Manager
• WriterAccess:  Account Specialist
• Wyndham Capital Mortgage:  Reporting Analyst

The Earl N. Phillips School of Business offers the B.S.B.A. degree in International Business. To graduate from High Point University with this degree, students must complete the following:

B.S.B.A. in International Business

*At least 8 credits of University Core Requirements are “embedded” within each major. Though these overlapping credits are reflected in the credit totals for both Major Requirements and University Core Requirements, they are not counted twice in the calculations of Elective and Total credits.

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

Competitiveness in today’s business environment often requires executives and managers to think and act globally.  The international business major prepares students to succeed in entry level positions within firms selling or operating internationally, or in domestic firms which compete with imports or have a culturally-diverse customer base.  Conducted in cooperation with the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, the program prepares the student culturally and 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, Italian, 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.

78-80 credits, 2020-2021 Catalog Year

(The credit hour total for this major is reduced by 8 hours for students who place at or above the FRE 2130 or SPN 2130 level.)

• ACC 2010.  Financial Accounting (4)
• ACC 2020.  Managerial Accounting (4)
• BUA 2000.  Business Career Boot Camp (1)
• BUA 2990.  Business Communications and Professional Development (4)
• BUA 2991.  International Business Communications (1)
• ECO 2030.  Principles of Macroeconomics (4)
• ECO 2050.  Principles of Microeconomics (4)
• FIN 3010.    Financial Management (4)
• MGT 2220.  Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior (4)
• MGT 3280.  Operations and Supply Chain Management (4)
• MKT 2110.   Principles of Marketing and Personal Selling (4)
• MTH 1310.  Applied Mathematical Concepts for Business (4) or MTH 1410 Calculus I (4)
• STS 2610.   Business Statistics and Analysis (4) or STS 2910 Introduction to Statistical Analysis with SAS Applications (4)

Take these international business courses:  

• ECO/GBS 4430.  Comparative Economics (4)
• MKT 3750.  International Marketing (4) or MKT/GBS 3850.  Marketing in Spain (4)

AND choose one more international course from:

• BUA/GBS 3100.  Global Business (4)
• ECO/GBS 3460.  International Economics (4)
• MGT 4050.  Global Logistics (4)

OR a different pre-approved international business course abroad (4)

NOTE: BUA/GBS 3100 and MKT/GBS 3850 are part of the study abroad program.

AND

Take 1 of the following four language tracks:

CHINESE TRACK for the major in International Business  (21 credits)

• 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)

Note:  The Chinese track is not designed for native speakers of Chinese.  For a functionally equivalent option, it is recommended that they could another language track or the business administration major with a global commerce minor.

OR FRENCH TRACK for the major in International Business  (20 credits)*

*The credit hour total is reduced by 8 for students who place at or above the FRE 2130 level.

• FRE 2010.  Intermediate French I (4)
• FRE 2020.  Intermediate French II (4)
• FRE 2130.   Readings in French (4)
• FRE 3030.   Culture and Civilization of France (4) or FRE 3040.  France Today (4)
• FRE 3180.   Business French (4)

NOTE:  Native speakers of French should usually take the Civilization and Business language courses, and 8 more credits in French (for example, literature courses).  Please consult with the World Languages Department.

OR ITALIAN TRACK for the major in International Business  (20 credits)

• ITA 2010.  Intermediate Italian I (4)
• ITA 2020.  Intermediate Italian II (4)
• ITA 2040.  Conversation (4)  or  ITA 2050.  Reading and Composition (4)
• ITA/GBS 3030.  Italian Culture and Civilization (4)
• ITA 3180.  Business Italian (4)

Note:  The Italian track is not designed for native speakers of Italian.  For a functionally equivalent option, it is recommended that they could another language track or the business administration major with a global commerce minor.

OR SPANISH TRACK for the major in International Business  (22 credits)**

**The credit hour total is reduced by 8 for students who place at or above the SPN 2130 level.

• SPN 2010.  Intermediate Spanish I (4) or SPN 2011. Spanish for Internatioal Service (4) or SPN 2015. Spanish for Law Enforcement (4)
• SPN 2020.  Intermediate Spanish II (4)
• SPN 2130. Hispanic Cultures: Intermediate Reading and Conversation (4)
• SPN 2140.  Spanish Grammar Review (2)
• SPN 3050.  Hispanic World Today (4) or SPN 3930.* Cultures and Civilizations of Spain (4) or SPN 3940.* Spanish-American Culture and Civilization (4)
• SPN 3180.  Business Spanish (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 3940 have additional prerequisites of junior standing, and one previous 3000 level SPN course.

Note:  Native speakers of Spanish should probably take Business Spanish and a Civilization course and 8 more credits in Spanish (for example, literature courses)  Please consult with the World Languages Department.

IMPORTANT NOTES

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 Phillips 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.