International Business is an interdisciplinary major that culminates in a Bachelor of Arts degree. The program is offered jointly by the College of Arts and Letters and Fowler College of Business. This program integrates coursework in business administration, a foreign language, and regional/cultural studies. Learn more about the International Business advantage!  

For the major in International Business, students must complete the business courses necessary to meet accreditation standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).  

For the major in International Business, students complete an emphasis in one of 11 languages. All International Business students are required to demonstrate proficiency in their foreign language emphasis before they study abroad. Students also choose one regional area in combination with their language emphasis. 

We encourage students who are already proficient in a language, through previous instruction or native proficiency to consider a third language. This will make you more attractive to employers and give you a larger global perspective. It is important, to also consider business when selecting your language and region of emphasis. Students should research global economies and global markets before choosing their emphasis. Below are the language and regional/cultural emphasis combinations offered:

Preparation for the major at the lower-division level includes coursework in regional/cultural studies, business and language. The curriculum at the upper-division follows that of the lower-division. Advanced courses are required in regional/cultural studies, business, and language. Please refer to the International Business section of the SDSU Catalog for specific degree and course information. 

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the general catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the pre-major at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment). 

Semester Abroad Requirement

As part of degree requirements students in the International Business major must complete a semester abroad requirement in their region and language of emphasis. Students can choose an approved study abroad program, internships abroad or study+internship programs.

Internship Requirement

As a requirement for the major, the internship is unique opportunity for students to gain valuable experience and apply knowledge and theory learned in the classroom in a professional setting. Students gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, have the opportunity to network, and make connections in the professional field. The internship requirement is completed after students have successfully declared upper division in the major.

Awards and Distinctions

SDSU'S undergraduate international business program is consistently ranked in the top 13 undergraduate business programs by U.S. News and World Report. This Ranking places our program in the top one percent of undergraduate international business programs in the United States.

The International Business Program at SDSU is one of the largest undergraduate International business programs in the country, serving more than 500 students annually.

Career Opportunities

Depending upon the focus chosen, an International Business major may prepare students for a many different areas of business. Popular career areas include; Management, Banking and Finance, Economics, International Development, Real Estate, Sales, Marketing & Advertising, Product Management, Supply Chain Management, Consulting, Government and U.S. customs, International law and Logistics. Explore career options in these fields by visiting the Career Services website.

Study Abroad

Internship/Internship Abroad

We are happy to talk to prospective students and parents about the International Business major and what they can expect at San Diego State. However, our office does not process admission applications and we do not evaluate courses taken elsewhere. Please contact the admissions office for questions about your application, course equivalencies, transferring courses and other general information about being admitted to San Diego State.

Freshman

Freshman students should refer to the freshman admissions page for information on required admission criteria.  

Prospective freshmen must select a foreign language and regional emphasis. This will correspond with the location where the semester abroad requirement will be conducted senior year. We encourage students who are already proficient in a language through previous instruction or native proficiency to consider a third language. This will make you more attractive to employers and give you a larger global perspective. It is also important to consider the business environment when selecting your language and region of emphasis. Students should research global economies and global markets before choosing their emphasis.

Transfer

Transfer students should refer to the transfer admissions page for information required for transfer admissions and assist.org for information on equivalent courses at San Diego State University.   

Transfer students should complete ALL Preparation for the Major courses in the business, language, and regional/cultural areas. 

• Transfer students who do not complete all Preparation for the Major courses will be placed into Pre-Major status and are blocked from enrolling in any upper division business courses.
• It is highly encouraged to cross enroll at SDSU if you are missing (or your community college does not offer) prep for the major courses in the business/language/regional areas.

Preparation for the Major

Lower Division Business (21 Units)

• ACCTG 201: Financial Accounting
• ACCTG 202: Managerial Accounting
• ECON 101: Principles of Economics (Macro)
• ECON 102: Principles of Economics (Micro)
• FIN 240: Legal Environment of Business
• MIS 180: Principles of Information Systems
• STAT 119 or ECON 201: Elementary Statistics for Business or Statistical Methods

Lower Division Language & Regional

Courses are based on students’ emphasis. See general catalog and consult with your community college adviser for equivalent courses.

• Language Courses (16-21 units)
• Regional Courses (3 units)
  
  

International Students

Degree seeking freshman and or transfer students should consult the International Admissions page or contact Admissions directly for information on application procedures.

What Prospective Students Need to Know

• Students whose high school language of instruction was taught in a language other than English may not take that language as their emphasis in the major (contact the international business office for further explanation). 
• English is not open to native speakers of English nor to students who graduated from a secondary school where English was the principal language of instruction nor to students with near-native fluency.
• Japanese is not open to speakers of Japanese who have completed compulsory education through junior high school in Japan.
• Cannot double major in any department in the Fowler College of Business (i.e. Finance) Minor is OK.
• Cannot double major or minor in the language or Regional/Cultural studies of choice (i.e. European Studies).
• Cannot double count core business courses for a minor.
• Can minor in same area as business focus, but the same course cannot be used to fulfill both the focus and the minor.
• Complete lower division courses in the major with C or higher (if you receive a C- you will have to repeat the course).
• No courses may be taken for CR/NC, unless indicated as such.
• For graduation a minimum 2.0 in all areas of the major (Business/Language/Regional) is required.
• Students declare upper division upon completion of their lower division courses in the language, business and regional cultural areas of your major and have achieved a 2.9 cumulative GPA. Declaring upper division moves students from “Pre-IB” to “International Business” major status.
• Student cannot enroll in any upper division business courses until they are officially declared upper division.
• Retention Policy:  The international business program expects all students to make reasonable academic progress towards the degree. Pre-majors who have earned 60 units but have less than a 2.9 cumulative GPA will be removed from the international business pre-major and placed in undeclared.
  
  

AP Scores

Both Freshmen and Transfer students are required to submit original Advanced Placement (AP) Test Scores to SDSU. Score reports and passing scores are required in order to obtain college credit for AP high school courses taken. To obtain your AP test scores, write to the address below or call the AP Grade Reporting Service toll-free at (888) 225-5427 if your exam scores were taken within the last four years. SDSU's AP school code is 4682.

AP Services
P.O. Box 6671
Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
www.collegeboard.org

 

Current SDSU students looking to declare an International Business major must meet with the IB academic adviser. Appointments can be made using my.sdsu and choosing SDSU Navigate and selecting “Major Exploration” when making an appointment.

If you need assistance call our office (619) 594-4505 or email at [email protected].

Connect With Us

Currently, our physical office is closed. However, advisers are available virtually to help you! We invite you to email us at [email protected] should you have any questions. When emailing please make sure to let us know you are an incoming student and include full name and SDSU RED ID#. 

We also invite you to follow our Twitter | Instagram

Freshman and Transfer Summer Orientations

Please be sure to sign up for freshman/transfer summer orientations; this is the first day that we can advise you on course registration. Please be sure to sign up for the College of Arts and Letters orientation dates. Orientation is the first day we can access your degree evaluation and know which courses/AP credit transferred to SDSU. Our office does not evaluate transfer courses; if you have any questions about courses you are attempting to transfer to SDSU please contact the Office of Admissions.

International Business Department Summer Orientations

The International Business program will also host several department orientations that we highly recommend students attend. Topics covered will be course registration for Fall, major requirements, study abroad, internship and other major related topics. This is your chance to also meet the International Business advisers and ask questions. Check your email for dates and registration information. 

If you do not plan to attend summer orientation, please let us know by emailing our office at [email protected] and make sure to let us know you are an incoming student and include full name and SDSU RED ID#.

Fall Course Registration

Suggested course registration will be covered in the Department Summer Orientations, after attending students are welcome to make individual appointments with an adviser. *Transfers please make sure your degree evaluation is available on my.SDSU before making an advisor appointment.

Your First Semester

We understand your first college semester may not be what you expected and these are unprecedented times. However, we want your first semester to be successful and recommend you make sure to.... 

• Check your email often, as we will send out important announcements and events via email
• Engage as much as possible, join our IB Society or one of the 20+ business or other student organizations
• Meet with the Intl. Bus Academic Adviser at least once in your first semester! Did you know he will create an individualized study plan for you?!
• Don't wait till senior year to connect with Career Services! Did you know Intl. Bus majors have their very own career adviser in the Intl. Bus office? 
• Anytime you are struggling or don't know who to ask for help, reach out to us! If we can't help, we'll point you in the right direction .

Explore SDSU Day

Held in March, everyone is invited to explore the beautiful SDSU campus during this annual event. Explore SDSU is a free all-campus event, open to all alumni, members of the San Diego State University community, and prospective students. Presentations, workshops and tours will be held for admitted and prospective students, parents, military students, veterans, and more for attendees of all ages! Learn more by visiting the Explore SDSU website.

Campus Tours

SDSU offers a variety of campus tour options for prospective and admitted students including a prospective undergraduate tour with admissions presentation, a campus walking tour only, and the virtual tour. Learn more by visiting the campus tours website.

Visit Us

To make an appointment for a one-on-one visit please email us at [email protected]. Due the high number of International Business students we do not accept walk-ins or appointments during the first three weeks of the Fall and Spring semester.