Center for International Business Studies

Certificate Requirements

The LAB 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 LAB certificate requires a Latin American study abroad or exchange experience. You will also be required to demonstrate your ability to conduct business transactions in Spanish or Portuguese.

The curricula for completing the LAB is as follows:

Area Studies: Nine hours. These nine hours of course work are taken outside of Mays and focus on understanding the history, culture, politics, and economic policies of Latin America. Select from the list of courses below.
International Business Course Work: 12 hours. Three of the 12 hours must be in your major (except for INFO majors); another three hours must IBUS 459 or and IBUS 489 course that focuses on conducting business in Latin America.
Foreign Language: One of the excellent values of earning the LAB certificate is that it acknowledges your ability to conduct business in a Latin American language (other than English).
Latin American Experience: A study abroad (normally in the summer) or exchange program (semester or year-long) experience in a Latin American country.

Latin American Area Studies

Courses with a significant component of Latin American countries may be used to satisfy either the international, humanities or general electives requirements in the B.B.A. and B.S.-Agribusiness curricula. Check with your academic advisor to verify use of these courses in your degree plan. Select from:

• ANTH 308   Archaeology of Mesoamerica (GE,H)
• GEOG 323  Geography of Latin America (GE,H,I)
• HIST 304    Mexican-American Frontier to 1848 (GE,H)
• HIST 305    Mexican-American Frontier 1848 - Present(GE,H)
• HIST 341    Latin America to 1810 (GE,H)
• HIST 342    Latin America Since 1810 (GE,H,I)
• HIST 440    Latin American Cultural and Intellectual History (GE,H,I)
• HIST 441    History of Mexico, 1821 to the present (GE,H,I)
• POLS 323   Political Systems of Latin America (GE,I)
• POLS 362   Latin American Political Thought (GE)
• SPAN 312   Hispanic Culture and Civilization 18th Century to Present(GE,H,I)
• SPAN 410   Hispanic Film (GE,H,I)
• SPAN 411   Contemporary Hispanic Society and Culture (GE,H,I)

International Course Work

You must complete 12 semester hours of international course work offered by Mays. Within this 12-hour framwork, three semester hours must be in your major (except for INFO). Another three hours must be either IBUS 459 or an IBUS 489 course that focuses on conducting business in Latin America. 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)

Latin America Study Experience

You must successfully complete an approved study abroad,exchange program or other Latin American experience. This experience will enrich your understanding of the Latin American business environment, culture, history and language.

A variety of options are available:

1. Reciprocal Exchange Program (REEP):  The exchange program can be a semesterlong or year-long experience with one of our Latin American partner institutions.
2. Business Study Abroad Program:  Plan a Latin American business study abroad program.
3. Internship:  Plan an internship abroad.
4. Memorial Student Center (MSC) Jordan Institute Internship & Living Abroad Program.
5. Experience a Peace Corps assignment.

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 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.  

Foreign Language Competence

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

The Texas A&M Department of Hispanic Studies teaches courses in Portugese and Spanish. In addition, some of Mays Business School's partner institutions abroad also offer, or can help identify language immersion programs. A few language links that might be helpful are listed below:

• Kukulcan Educational Spanish Community
• Language Study Abroad/USA
• Latin Immersion Language Network
• Spanish Study Abroad

Steps to Completion

To earn a certificate in Latin American 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 certification 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 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.

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