Contact
Advisors:
Charles Carslaw | carslaw@unr.edu | 775-784-6549
Elliott Parker | elliottp@unr.edu | 775-784-6408
International Business Student Chapter (IBSC)
Requirements
International Business Advising
What is International Business?
Approved by the Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) in the spring of 1997, International Business is a relatively new major at UNR's College of Business Administration. It came about because a small group of faculty recognized that: 1) businesses nationwide that do business overseas are increasingly seeking employees who can combine specific business skills with international understanding; 2) a rising number of students at UNR were trying to create such an education on their own; and 3) more UNR faculty were specializing in international studies.
International Business is an undergraduate program designed for those individuals who intend to prepare themselves to meet the challenges of this exciting new business era. Our program focuses on the principles and practices of businesses that cross national boundaries to operate in the global business environment. It prepares highly motivated men and women to take their places in organizations that will set the standards for effective performance in the 21st Century. Each participant has the opportunity to specialize in a particular region -- Asia and the Pacific, Europe or the Americas. All participants are required to develop skills in a second language. Participants tailor their language training to their career goals by selecting from one of several language tracks.
The world has witnessed dramatic changes in international trade and investments in the past few decades. Market reforms and the reduction of international trade barriers have converted individual national markets into a "one-market" global economy. As a result, the total value of world merchandise exports now accounts for a fifth of the total world economic production. Since 1960, the share of United States output exported abroad has risen threefold.
The rising importance of international trade and finance has dramatically changed the way we do business. Today's corporations must operate in a global economy, and the business leaders of tomorrow cannot operate on yesterday's knowledge. The transformation of political, economic, cultural and social systems are offering spectacular opportunities to international businesses, while rapid advancements in technology are making it harder to keep up with changing business practices.
As companies recognize that they need to become international to stay ahead of the competition, they are also recognizing that they need a new kind of manager to do international business. More and more, companies are looking for someone with strong business skills who also speaks the language, understands the society, and knows how international business is different, and more challenging, than just doing business at home.
International Business Advising
Students wishing to fulfill the requirements of the Bachelor of Science in International Business need to choose a business concentration, take two years of a single foreign language, and select a regional track consistent with their language studies.
The IB major has specific advising forms, which students should print off and complete before seeing an advisor.
Page 1 -- Required Nonbusiness and Prebusiness Core Courses
Page 2 -- Upper-division Business Core and Major Courses for Concentrations in (choose only one):
Students with special interests may create an alternative course of study with a general concentration, but these courses must be approved in advance, and in writing, by an international business major advisor.
Page 3 -- Foreign Language and Nonbusiness Courses for Regional Tracks in (choose only one):
- Spanish / Latin American Track
- Spanish / European Track
- French / European Track
- German / European Track
- Italian / European Track
- Japanese / Asian Track
- Chinese / Asian Track
Students with special interests may create an alternative course of study with a general regional track, but these courses must be approved in advance, and in writing, by an international business major advisor.
For students studying abroad, transferring from other programs, or in other unusual circumstances, some substitutions to the requirements for theses concentrations and regional tracks may be possible, if approved in writing by an international business major advisor and/or the college's advising office.
International business major advisors are listed under the college's faculty advisors page.
Regional Tracks
In addition to completing two years of study in a single language (i.e., the successful completion of a fourth semester college course, or the equivalent), students need to choose a regional track related to their foreign language, and must take courses specifically related to it in conversation, culture, geography, history, and political science. These courses then count towards the 14-credit requirements of approved nonbusiness electives.
Approved courses for regional tracks are listed on page 2 of the advising form, Students with special interests may create an alternative course of study with a general regional track, but these courses must be approved in advance, and in writing, by an international business major advisor. For students studying abroad, transferring from other programs, or in other unusual circumstances, some substitutions to the requirements for these concentrations and regional tracks may be possible, if approved in writing by an international business major advisor and/or the college's advising office.
Students studying the Spanish language should focus on either Latin America or Europe, but not both. Students studying French, German, or Italian should take courses related to the specific country, where available, or to Europe in general. The university also offers courses in Japanese and Chinese, along with courses in other departments related to these areas. Foreign students who use their native language to satisfy their foreign language requirements may wish to work with their advisors to create a North American track, taking courses giving them a better understanding of the United States.
If students have taken MATH 126 as a prerequisite for MATH 176, this course is accepted as an nonbusiness elective. Other elective courses must approved as part of the regional track, and be at the 200-level or above. At least one nonbusiness course must be an approved General Capstone.
There are many courses available in the university, and students may have some flexibility in choosing which courses they take as long as these courses relate to their regional track and help the student better understand the countries in which they may be doing business. These courses must be either listed as part of an approved regional track, or pre-approved by the IB major advisor. Typically, a student might take 2-3 credits of foreign language conversation, a culture course, history, and a political science capstone. Because these courses are offered by departments outside the College of Business Administration, course offerings may vary and students are encouraged to consult the university catalog and recent course schedules.
Beyond the two-year foreign language requirement and two credits of conversation, additional language courses (i.e., either third-year language and composition or a second foreign language) generally do not count as approved nonbusiness electives, though there are one or two exceptions.
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers minors in French, German, and Spanish, and there are interdisciplinary minors available in Asian Studies, Basque Studies, Italian Studies, and Japanese Studies. Some of the requirements of these minors may already count towards the IB major’s foreign language and nonbusiness elective requirements, while others may require additional credits. IB majors are encouraged to consider one of these minors if they are consistent with the student’s regional track.
Study Abroad
Study Abroad provides a meaningful exposure to a foreign culture and business environment, and is an integral part of the International Business program. UNR is a member of the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) that provides courses in language, business, and cultural studies in more than a dozen universities worldwide, in Australia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and Thailand. Students in International Business at UNR are encouraged to study in their country of choice through USAC. Credit is transferable to UNR, and the IB major advisor can help ensure that these courses fit the requirements of the major. USAC has scholarships available for study abroad.
Minors and Dual Majors
There is no minor in International Business, but IB majors are encouraged to consider minors in their language. For example, there are minors in French, German, Italian Studies, Japanese Studies, and Spanish, which would require anywhere from 6 to 15 additional credits. Within the College of Business Administration, there are minors in Economics, Economic Policy, and Accounting which would require at most 3 additional credits with careful planning.
IB students with a business concentration are well-placed to get dual majors in those concentrations, with the addition of 9 to 21 credits.
See the advising forms for business concentrations (page 2) and regional tracks (page 3) for more information.
International Business Student Chapter
IBSC is the student chapter of the Nevada World Trade Council. We are open to all majors and students with an interest in international business. The meetings are held every other Tuesday in AB 408A. With a fee of $15 a semester you are provided a lunch at every meeting. During the meetings we discuss new events and have guest speakers talk about many different topics relating to international business. IBSC is a great way to network and to find out about scholarships and internships.
There are several upcoming events and exciting opportunities for students every semester. Over the last few semesters IBSC has gone on company tours where students have been able to experience opportunities that are available after graduation as well as opportunities for internships while you are still going to school. Fundraisers for IBSC included selling items that students have brought back from their travels to other countries. It's a great opportunity to meet with your fellow IB students and faculty members.
For more information you can also contact Dr. Stedham at 682-9162 or ystedham@unr.nevada.edu.