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International Business

About the International Business Program

Built upon the core business curriculum, the international business program educates and equips students to work effectively in a global business environment. In addition to business knowledge and skills, students will develop and assimilate cultural understanding and language proficiency that increase their ability to function in a global business environment. They will also choose a track of study within the major to increase their marketability. Students will engage in an overseas practicum. Though not mandatory, students are highly encouraged to participate in a semester abroad program approved by the international business faculty. A Christian perspective is emphasized throughout the program.

The international business program also draws faculty from various disciplines such as communications, sociology and world languages.

Why should you choose SAU’s International Business program?

The international business program at SAU integrates business coursework with international business core courses, enriched by the study of intercultural communications and racial and ethnic relations offered by various departments outside the Gainey School of Business. Students will develop (or demonstrate through standardized tests) their proficiency in a foreign language and gain working experience in a global business environment through their practicum. Students may add an institutional endorsement according to their career interests. The international business faculty can help you design your coursework to fit your specific needs. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in a semester abroad program to broaden their cross cultural preparation while strengthening their language skills.

TRUE Community Credit Union Trading Center

Our academic building, The Poling Center for Global Learning and Leadership, includes the TRUE Community Credit Union Trading Room, which trains students for corporate and personal finance careers. The trading center features:

  • 20 computers for students
  • An electronic wrap-around ticker
  • A large LED financial data board
  • A large LCD screen for teaching
  • An LCD screen for business news
  • A bank of seven international clocks
  • A specialized teaching bunker
  • Continuous financial news feeds

The trading room enables our students to take a step forward in their entrepreneurial skills. The students receive “on the job” experience, practice and knowledge in trading technology, an enhanced level of confidence and familiarity with the latest financial technology.

Courses, Course Descriptions, and Tracks

Some of the main courses that are included in this major are:

  • ACC 221 Principles of Accounting I
  • BUS 107 Foundations of Leadership and Ethics
  • BUS 162 Business Computer Applications
  • BUS 232 Business Seminar
  • BUS 271 Business Law I 3
  • BUS 325 or BUS 426 Principles of Mgmt. or Operations and Supply Chain Mgmt.
  • BUS/HES/MAT/PSY 351 Statistics
  • BUS 354 Statistical Applications for Business
  • BUS 424 Strategic Management
  • BUS 450 Internship
  • ECN 221 Introduction to Microeconomics
  • ECN 222 Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • FIN 362 Principles of Finance
  • IBS 223 Biblical Foundation of International Business
  • IBS 305 Principles of International Business
  • MKT 221 Marketing Principles
  • SDL 120 Life/Work Planning
  • 1XX-4XX Language 6 credit hours of non-English language (same language)

Choose two courses from the following:

  • COM 368 Intercultural Communication
  • PHI 394 World Religions
  • POL 311 Comparative Gov
  • SOC 311 Racial and Ethnic Relations

View the course requirements and layout for each track, course descriptions, a sample four-year plan, as well as learn more about the International Business program at Spring Arbor University in the undergraduate catalog.

Career Opportunities

If you are interested in meeting people from different cultures, traveling to foreign countries, taking risks, accepting challenging assignments, this program may be what you have been looking for. The program will prepare graduates primarily for one of the three career paths:

1.) Working domestically or globally for a business or non-profits

2.) Self-employed entrepreneurs engaging in international business

3.) Combining business and biblical principles to advance God’s kingdom

Some graduates might also pursue a career in the government sector, working domestically or globally.

Possible careers in international business include:

  • International consultant
  • International market researcher
  • International purchasing agent
  • International finance manager
  • International sales manager
  • International logistic manager
  • International economic development manager
  • International business operators
  • International human resources manager

To learn more about how Spring Arbor helps its graduates prepare for a career, visit our career development section.

On-Campus Opportunities

Within the Gainey School of Business, there are a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved, apply what they’re learning in the classroom in a practical way, and meet students who have similar passions. Here is a list of just some of the opportunities available:

ENACTUS: ENACTUS is an international organization that encourages students to use the skills they are developing to pursue business-related projects that will improve their respective communities. Students from a wide range of majors and academic departments participate in ENACTUS projects. This is sponsored through the Gainey School of Business.

Etiquette Dinner (event): As students look to graduation, they are invited to participate in the Etiquette Dinner that happens every February, where an expert leads students through a formal dinner, instructing them on the dos and don’ts of dining in a professional setting. This is a service offered through the Career Development office.

Student Government Association (SGA): The Student Government Association serves as a liaison between students and the University. They also coordinate many of the events on campus, organize various student groups and ensure that the student voice is heard loud and clear across campus. Visit the SGA website.

Spring Break Mission trips: During Spring Break, a handful of mission teams gear up and hit the road to minister to and serve people around the country and abroad.

Model Arab League (event): Model Arab League is an event sponsored through the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations in which students learn about the politics and history of the Arab world as they study a particular Arab nation and then prepare to “represent” that nation at a mock Arab League summit. Every year, SAU sends a team to the Model Arab League convention held at a participating Michigan university. Learn more about the political economy major and the political science minor.

Office of Intercultural Relations: Students of any color or background are celebrated and supported on Spring Arbor University’s campus. See a full list of the various activities and organizations available to students at Spring Arbor University.