Certificate in European Union Business

Parliament FlagTo meet the challenges of increased business globalization, Mays Business School offers a Certificate in European Union Business (EUB). The program offers Mays students seeking a B.B.A. (accounting, finance, information & operations management, management, and marketing) or B.S. (agribusiness) degree the opportunity to gain a better understanding of European business by studying its history, politics and business models. This certificate is a joint program with the Texas A&M European Union Center.

Certificate Requirements

The EUB requires 21 hours of course work for completion. These courses can be integrated as part of your regular business curriculum. You are encouraged to plan early and often to facilitate integration of certificate requirements within the regular undergraduate program.

Aside from taking the necessary international business courses, earning the EUB certificate requires a European Union study abroad or exchange experience. You will also be required to demonstrate your ability to conduct business transactions in a European language (other than English). Photo right is of the European Parliament Flag flying in Brussels, Belgium.

The curriculum for completing the EUB is as follows:

    Area Studies: Nine hours. These nine hours of course work are taken outside of Mays and focus on the history, culture, politics, and economic policies of European nation-states. Select from the list below. 
    International Business Course Work:  Twelve hours. Three of the 12 hours must be in your major (except for INFO majors); another three hours must be IBUS 456 or an IBUS 489 course that focuses specifically on conducting business in the European Union.
    Foreign Language: One of the excellent values of earning the EUB certificate is that it acknowledges your ability to conduct business in a European language (other than English)
    European Union Experience: A study abroad or exchange program experience in the European Union. In addition, students are encouraged to attend the EUC Visitors’ lectures, offered each fall and spring on campus.
European Union Area Studies

Courses with a significant component of European nation-states may be used to satisfy the international (I), humanities (H) or general (GE) elective requirements in your curriculum program. Check with your academic advisor to verify use of these courses in your degree plan.

Select from
  • ECON 320 Economic Development of Europe (E,I)
  • HIST 324  European Society in the Industrial Age (E,H,I)
  • HIST 336  Europe Since 1932 (E,H,I)
  • HIST 338  The Rise of the European Middle Class (E,H)
  • HIST 339  Eastern Europe Since 1453 (E,H,I)
  • HIST 421  European Intellectual History in the 20th Century (E,H)
  • HIST 477  Women in Modern European History (E,H,I)
  • POLS 322  Western European Governments and Politics (E,I)
  • POLS 432  The Politics of European Union (E)
  • POLS 306  Contemporary Political Problems & Issues (This is a variable topics course and requires prior approval.)
International Business Course Work

You must complete 12 semester hours of international course work offered by Mays. Within this 12-hour framework, three semester hours must be in your major (except for INFO). Another three hours must be either IBUS 456 or an IBUS 489 course that focuses on conducting business in the European Union. Select from:

  • ACCT/IBUS 445  International Accounting
  • AGEC 452  International Trade & Agriculture
  • AGEC 453  International Agribusiness Marketing
  • FINC 445/IBUS 446  Funding International Business
  • IBUS 455  Asian Business Environment
  • IBUS 456  European Integration & Business
  • IBUS 457  Global Entrepreneurship
  • IBUS 458  International Negotiations
  • IBUS 459  Latin American Markets
  • IBUS 460  Academy for Future International Leaders
  • MGMT/IBUS 450  International Environment of Business
  • MGMT/IBUS 452  International Management
  • MKTG/IBUS 401  Global Marketing
  • MKTG 402  International Marketing
  • MKTG 403  International Market Entry Strategies
  • IBUS 489  Special Topics in International Business (Must have prior approval.)
European Study Experience

You must successfully complete an approved study abroad or exchange program (with any of our European Union partner institutions) in a EU country. This experience will enrich your understanding of the European business environment, culture, history and languages.

You Have Three Options:

  1. Reciprocal Exchange Program (REEP): The exchange program can be a semester-long or year-long experience with one of our EU partner institutions.
  2. Business Study Abroad Program: There are six business study abroad programs conducted with partner institutions in Europe, France, Spain, China, India and Mexico.
  3. Other Study Abroad Programs: See Study Abroad Programs for study abroad programs conducted in Europe.

Visit the UG REEP Programs GRID and the UG Summer Study Abroad Program GRID in the STUDY ABROAD section of this website for specific information on these programs.
Get Started Early!

The application process for many programs can take as long as six months to one year to complete. So, start now by researching the various reciprocal exchange and study abroad opportunities. See links shown above.

Foreign Language Competence

To effectively communicate and conduct business in the European Union, it's important that you know a non-English European language. To determine your language competency, you will either need to pass an oral competency exam administered by a Mays faculty member or pass a designated proficiency exam upon completion of your European Union experience.

The Texas A&M Department of European and Classical Languages and Cultures teaches courses in French, German and Italian. In addition, several of Mays Business School's partner institutions abroad also offer, or can help identify language immersion programs. These programs are usually available to students participating in exchange programs in languages including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish as well as the five languages offered by Texas A&M's language departments. (The Department of Hispanic Studies teaches courses in Portugese and Spanish.)

Steps to Completion
To earn a certification in European Union Business, be sure to follow these three steps:
  1. Register early: You can get started as early as your freshman year. Set up an appointment with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Program Office (UPO) in 238 Wehner.
  2. Plan ahead: It is important for you to schedule the appropriate classes. You are responsible for completing the specific course work and international experience. Need help? Check with your academic advisor in the UPO.
  3. Apply before graduation: You must complete all requirements for the certificate prior to graduation. To receive certificate recognition, you must apply during your graduating semester through the UPO. The certificate program will be posted to the student transcript six to eight weeks after graduation from Mays Business School.
  4. To submit your application:  Go to the Certificate Applications page of this website and choose the appropriate link to your specific certificate.
Your Support Network

Mays and Texas A&M have several student organizations that can help keep you in touch with international issues -- and help you meet other Aggies interested in them.

  • International Business Association: The International Business Association at Texas A&M attempts to enhance the knowledge and understanding of different cultures around the world. IBA encourages students to learn about international experiences and consider the opportunities to grow from actually taking part in international programs.
  • Aggie Global Interaction: An international business organization, Aggie Global Interaction (AGI) initiates activities to encourage relationships between Aggies and foreign exchange students. AGI seeks to heighten international awareness and to support Aggies' involvement in international opportunities.
  • The MSC Jordan Institute for International Awareness: The Jordan Institute helps to develop international awareness on campus and in the community through lectures, discussions, entertainment programs and international research.
  • The International Students Association: Texas A&M's International Student Association (ISA) promotes cultural awareness and interaction between the university's international and U.S. students. There are many Latin American student clubs that are active on campus.