International Business
The dynamic changes in the world's physical, political, economic and cultural environments have created new opportunities as well as the challenge to effectively compete in the global marketplace as it exists today and will evolve tomorrow. The international business program views international business in the broad context of all business transactions devised and carried out across national borders to satisfy the organizational and personal goals of firms and individuals.
Our curriculum is designed specifically to prepare graduates to effectively manage the change and complexity that the wave of globalization brings with it. Special emphasis is placed on the process of foreign market entry. Carefully articulated course offerings and contents cut across accounting, finance, management, marketing, and technology. Notable highlights include a required approved study abroad program, proficiency in a foreign language and a minor specialization. The integrative nature of our program stands at the intersection of theory and practice to provide a balanced approach, functional specialization and a broader cultural perspective.
Employers are looking for IB graduates who have been trained not only in traditional business functions, but who also have a global perspective and understand the economic, cultural and political variables that operate in global markets. This program provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the global economy and helps you develop the skills and awareness necessary to work in international environments and with diverse cultures.
Akron Advantage
All College of Business programs are accredited at the highest possible level by AACSB International (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). In addition, our business school is one of only 171 schools that have earned separate accounting accreditation. The College has been consistently rated as one of the best business schools in the nation by the Princeton Review and ranked in the top 6 percent of all undergraduate programs by BusinessWeek magazine.
Our close ties to regional businesses provide many benefits for our students. Business executives share their expertise as mentors and guest lecturers in classes, and provide valuable advice on program and course content, helping to keep our curricula fresh, relevant and rigorous. Students gain valuable hands-on experience through group projects that assign them to solve problems for local businesses and by participating in co-op and internship programs at regional companies.
We are able to provide our students with training in cutting-edge technology as a result of our academic alliances with technology vendors such as SAP, Microsoft and Oracle.
Our active student organizations enable our students to enrich their college experience by providing opportunities for them to apply knowledge and skills gained in the classroom, and by opening doors to new friendships, networking, professional growth, and even jobs. Many of our student organizations have excelled in regional and national competitions, often against highly regarded colleges and universities across the country.
Hands-on Research
You’ll work in teams on real-world business cases, applying your classroom knowledge to help solve problems facing local businesses.
UA has exchange agreements with leading universities throughout the world, enabling students to study and gain valuable business experience in such locales as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, Japan and The Netherlands.
Recent Placements Include:
- The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
- The Timken Company
- BNSF Railroad
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- The Bose Corporation
International Business Student Organizations
The College of Business offers major-specific student groups as well as a variety of general business groups:
- International Business Association — Multicultural dialogue among students and professionals in IB
- American Marketing Association — Premier marketing association for students and professionals
- Beta Gamma Sigma — an honorary fraternity for premier business students
- Delta Sigma Pi — a professional fraternity to foster the study of business
- Kappa Beta Delta — recognize scholarship and accomplishment in business and management
- Enactus (SIFE) — develops outreach projects to improve quality of life
- Student Speaking Associatio (SSA) — focus on building leadership and public speaking skills
Sample Curriculum
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