Center for International Business Studies

The certificate requires 18 semester hours of course work that may be accommodated within the 120 (B.B.A. or B.S.) hours required in the undergraduate business curriculum. You are encouraged to plan early and often to facilitate integration of certificate requirements within the regular undergraduate program.

Completing the certificate includes taking the proper international business course work, studying or working abroad, and taking non-business international course work or six hours of foreign language.

International Business Course Work: 12 hours. Three of the twelve hours must be taken in your major. Courses must be selected from the list below: See a listing of current international business courses offered.

Non Business International Course Work:  6 credit hours. A minimum of six credit hours of coursework from the approved international elective course list. The certificate was designed with the B.B.A. and B.S.- Agribusiness curriculum requirements in mind. It is up to the student to work with their academic advisor to choose courses appropriate to their degree plan.


OR

University Level Foreign Language:  6 hours. These six hours must be in one foreign language. Credit by exam does not count toward requirement.

AND

International Experience: Five weeks minimum. International experience (study abroad, reciprocal exchange, or internship) must be approved.  Visit the Study Abroad section of this website for more information.

English or credit by examination of a foreign language cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. Foreign languages currently offered at Texas A&M are:

• Dept. of European and Classical Languages and Cultures: French, German, Italian, Russian
• Dept. of Hispanic Studies: Portugese, Spanish
• Arabic & Asian Language Office: Arabic, Chinese and Japanese

Non Business International Course Work

International culture classes may be used to satisfy the International Electives requirement in your degree plan. Some of these courses may also satisfy Behavioral Sciences or Humanities requirements. Check with your department advisor or Undergraduate Program advisor to verify use of these courses in your degree plan. You must select six semester hours of international culture course work.

International Business

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 INFO majors). You must select international business course work from the following:

• 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.)

International Experience

You must successfully complete an approved international experience. This experience will enrich your understanding of the international business environment, history, culture and language.

A variety of options are available:

• a summer or semester study abroad program
• a reciprocal exchange program
• an internship abroad
• a Memorial Student Center (MSC) Jordan Institute Internship & Living Abroad Program
• a Peace Corps assignment

Get Started Early

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

Steps to Completion

To earn a certification in International 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 of the certificate program 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 upon 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.