To meet the challenges of increased business globalization, Mays Business School offers a Certificate in Latin American Business (LAB). 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 Latin American business by studying its history, politics and business models.
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.
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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:
- A Latin American business study abroad program.
- An exchange program: The exchange program can be a semester-long or year-long experience with one of our Latin America partner institutions.
- An internship abroad.
- Memorial Student Center (MSC) Jordan Institute Internship & Living Abroad Program.
- 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.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 Mays 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:
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 certificate in Latin American 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 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.
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:Looking for...Go to this site...
- How to apply & Academic advising:
Mays Business School - Scholarships/Financial aid:
CIBS Financial Aid
- Study Abroad & Exchange Program:
CIBS Study Abroad & Reciprocal Exchange Programs
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