International Business, B.S.

Program Overview

Saint Louis University's International Business program empowers students with a comprehensive understanding of global business, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities in multinational companies and local firms operating abroad. The program emphasizes cultural awareness, international market analysis, and strategic decision-making, complemented by internship opportunities, study abroad programs, and dedicated career support. Students gain firsthand experience through immersion and develop the skills necessary to navigate the increasingly global business landscape.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Bachelor of Science in International Business program at Saint Louis University's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business offers students the opportunity to build global business understanding and experience through courses, student activities, special events and internships. The Chaifetz School of Business' highly-ranked international business program is designed to provide SLU students with a holistic approach to understanding the interconnectedness of global business and its implications on a company's performance. Through classes and global immersion experiences, students learn about the impact and implementation of international business practices in the modern marketplace and examine various strategic options that managers consider when assessing international market potential. The International Business major prepares students to think in a multi-disciplinary fashion when analyzing and assessing the factors that can evolve a firm's global presence into global excellence. Before engaging with an overseas business associate, students must first understand how that person's language, communication style, social infrastructure, work attitudes, economy, politics, pace of life, geography and government policies impact the way business is conducted. Students will also learn about exporting, importing, foreign direct investment, foreign licensing, international services and global transactions of products or services. By helping them develop this toolbox, the school prepares students to meet the challenges of operating in a global economy. International business students are encouraged to participate in several extracurricular opportunities available, including mentorship by senior international business executives, in addition to international business internships. The Department of International Business also offers a minor for students in other business and non-business majors to add to their chosen major.

Careers:

The increasingly global nature of commerce means students majoring in international business have a wide range of career options. Graduates holding a Bachelor of Science in International Business find opportunities at local firms doing business abroad and multi-national companies operating in countries around the world. International business students receive dedicated career development support from the Chaifetz School's Valerie A. Davisson Career Resources Center and join a global network of 20,000 alumni of the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business.

Other:

The international business major is designed to provide students with a holistic approach to understanding the interconnections of globalization and its implications on a company's performance. Students are introduced to the tools needed to decide on foreign market selections, entry mode strategies, international product customization and global multi-point competitive strategies. In addition, students learn the importance of analyzing the national differences in political, economic, cultural and legal systems. Students can focus their coursework on the nuances of business practice in various regions of the world and can choose to align their foreign language classes accordingly. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad and gain firsthand experience through immersion. Options range from a large selection of full-semester destinations to shorter global immersion experiences of one to two weeks. Internships/Student Organizations Benefits of the international business program also include internship opportunities. International business internships may be completed for credit (up to three academic credits can be approved) and are often paid. In recent years, international business students have interned with prestigious St. Louis-based companies such as Boeing and Edward Jones, as well as with national and global organizations such as the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg and the U.S. House of Representatives. Many internships lead to job offers for full-time employment after graduation. The Department of International Business and the Boeing Institute of International Business support the International Business Club, which provides students with field trips to local international companies such as Nestle, arranges for students to hear from prominent guest speakers, and provides a variety of other special events for club members.