The International Business Concentration
International business issues are covered throughout the Robins School curriculum; however, some students wish to study international business in greater depth. For these students, the International Business concentration is offered. Students concentrating in international business must complete the standard set of courses required of all Robins School students. These courses provide the foundation upon which the business program is built.
In addition, students with an International Business concentration must satisfy international knowledge and international experience requirements. A grade of C or better must be earned in each course used to meet international knowledge requirements.
International Knowledge Requirements
These requirements consist of international business knowledge and international cultural and social knowledge.
International Business Knowledge, 5 courses, including- IBUS 381 International Business Environment
- IBUS 411 International Business Strategy (This course is taken in lieu of BUAD 497 Strategic Management.)
- One course chosen from
ACCT 315 International Accounting Issues
FIN 462 International Financial Management - One course chosen from
MKT 325 International Marketing
MGMT 333 International Management
IBUS 390 International Business Issues - One international economics course chosen from
ECON 210 The Economics of the European Union
ECON 211 Economic Development in Asia, Africa and Latin America
ECON 310 International Trade and Finance
Note: One course in international business knowledge from accounting, economics, finance, marketing or management can apply to the second concentration.
International Cultural and Social Knowledge, 2 courses, including
- Cultural Knowledge: One humanities course focusing on a culture other than that of the student's home or native culture. For a list of University of Richmond courses that satisfy this requirement go to cultural knowledge courses.
- Social Knowledge: One social sciences course with an international focus or a focus on a country or region other than that of the student's home or native country or region. For a list of University of Richmond courses that satisfy this requirement go to social knowledge courses.
- Work Experience Requirements - The IBUS work experience, or internship, must consist of meaningful work activities that will contribute to a student's understanding of and provide practical experience in international business. A student may complete the internship in the U.S. or abroad. If the internship is completed at a domestic location, it must be in the international group or deal directly with the organization's international operations. If the internship occurs during the summer, it must be full-time for at least six (6) weeks. If the internship takes place during the regular academic year and is a part-time position, it must last for at least one full semester - approximately 12 weeks.
- Robins School Policy on Internships and Academic Credit - The Robins School does not award credit for internships. In order for a student to receive academic credit, an internship must include an academic component. The minimum requirements of this academic component are 1) the approval of a faculty member to act as sponsor for the work, 2) a daily journal of activities, and 3) a paper which examines some aspects of the internship which closely relates to the academic experience. There may be additional requirements as determined by the individual faculty advisor. An internship that meets these criteria would be considered a Directed Independent Study, such as BUAD 389, IBUS 389, MKT 389, etc.
- Prior to starting the internship, the student should provide internship details (organization, country, type of work, duration of internship, name of supervisor) to the associate dean for international business programs to ensure that it will meet the IB concentration requirements.
Upon completion of the internship, the student's internship supervisor must submit a letter directly to the associate dean for international business programs. The letter must include: a description of the duties that were performed and projects in which the student participated; the dates of the internship; whether it was full- or part-time; and a statement of the quality of work performed.
Note: The Robins School does not grant academic credit for internships.Note: Some courses that meet the University's General Education fields-of-study requirements can be used to satisfy the international cultural and social knowledge requirements.
International Experience Requirements
The international experience requirements consist of cultural experiences and a work experience.International Cultural Experience: Students concentrating in international business must complete two of three international cultural experiences:
- Successfully complete an approved university-level program of study in a foreign country; for at least a full semester;
- Demonstrate proficiency in a second language. This may be done by earning a grade of C or better in a commercial language course (e.g. FREN 306 French at Work, LAIS 306 Spanish in Business) or in a 300-level conversation course (e.g. ITAL 301 Italian Conversation, RUSN 301 Russian Conversation), or by earning a satisfactory score on an appropriate language proficiency examination;
- Live in another country for at least 12 continuous weeks other than a study abroad experience.
Note: Subject to prior approval of the director of International Business Programs, working abroad may satisfy both the international work experience requirement and one of the two international cultural experience requirements.