European Union Certificate

parliamentflag1.jpg - 41049 Bytes To 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 left is of the European Parliament Flag flying in Brussels, Belgium.

The curriculum for completing the EUB is as follows:

Area Studies:

International Business Course Work: 12 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 (normally in the summer) or exchange program (semester or year long) 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:

Exchange Program: The exchange program can be a semester-long or year-long experience with one of our EU partner institutions.
Business Study Abroad Program: There are two business study abroad programs conducted with partner institutions in France and Spain.
Other Study Abroad Programs: See Study Abroad Programs for study abroad programs conducted in Europe.

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.)

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. For more on IBA, go to: International Business Association.
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. To learn more, go to: Aggie Global Interaction.
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. For more information, visit: MSC Jordan Institute for International Awareness.
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. You can learn more about these associations by going to International Students Association.

Steps to Completion

To earn a certification in European Union Business, be sure to follow these three steps:

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.
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.
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.

TAMU Resources

There are lots of people and organizations at Mays and Texas A&M that can help make earning your certificate a great experience. Here are a few of them:

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