2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog International Business Program - Department of Management

Business.illinoisstate.edu/ib/

Admission/Retention Requirements

Majors in the International Business program follow the requirements and standards for all programs in the College of Business:

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Honors in International Business

Students earn this designation at graduation; requirements, including being in good standing with the Honors Program, are reviewed at the end of the final semester: 

  1. 3.3 cumulative GPA
  2. 3.5 major GPA
  3. Fulfill Honors Program participation requirements: 1 Honors Learning Experience per semester in the program, including the final semester (students are not required to complete an Honors Learning Experience when they are off-campus)
  4. Complete 2 Honors Learning Experiences, specifically:

    1. Honors Section or Honors Contract in one of the following: 

      1. Required Business Core course: ACC 131, 132, or 270; BUS 100; ECO 105; ENG 145A13; FIL 185 or 240; MAT 121; MKT 230; MGT 100, 220, or 385

      2. IB Required or Track course: ACC 340; ECO 245; FIL 312 or 344; IB 225; MKT 350; MGT 349 or 350

      3. Functional Area Concentration course: 200 or 300 level College of Business Course

    2. Honors Section or Honors Contract in one of the following:

      1. Approved area studies or language course: see International Business checklist for current list of approved area studies courses

      2. IB Required or Track course: ACC 340; ECO 245; FIL 312 or 344; IB 225; MKT 350; MGT 349 or 350

  5. Complete an Honors Capstone Experience, which may include:
    • Honors Contract in IB 398
    • IB 299: Honors Independent Study (3 credit hours)
    • HON 395: Honors Thesis (3 credit hours)

6. Submit an application for Departmental Honors to the Director of the Carson and Iris Varner International Business Institute.
7. Successfully complete all requirements for the IB major

Benefits of Departmental Honors: Students who complete the program will have Departmental Honors designation placed on both their transcript and diploma. Students in the IB Departmental Honors Program are eligible for Honors early registration and special advisement opportunities.

International Business Program

Degrees Offered: B.A. and B.S.

Major in International Business

The Baccalaureate program in International Business (BSIB) provides a specialized curriculum for students interested in business focused on the global environment. Graduate’s careers may include working abroad, working for a multinational or working in a globally diverse firm. The BSIB combines coursework in general and international business, foreign language, and area studies. Through specialization in a business area, the BSIB combines coursework in international business and a functional area of business. The required international business courses provide solid exposure to the unique dynamics of international business. Area studies and foreign language requirements further enhance the students' international experience. Study abroad experiences are an essential element of the international business program. It is required that every international business major participate in a study abroad program or complete an international internship unless they receive an exemption from the program director.

The BSIB is divided into a common business core applicable to all business students, the International Business core, a concentration in a functional area, the Languages, Literatures, and Cultures requirement, and area studies requirements. 

Business Study Abroad

The College of Business has partner institutions in various parts of the world including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Additional partnerships are under development. The College coordinates short term, summer, year long and semester programs as well as international internships. Students should begin exploring study abroad early in their studies but plan to study abroad during their junior year in most cases. Study abroad programs are conducted in English unless the student chooses to study a language while abroad. Beyond the College of Business exchanges, many of the ISU exchanges also offer some business courses. First, explore the ISU Study Abroad website for the current list of College of Business programs and all ISU study abroad opportunities. Second, make an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor to understand your choices. Third, consult your academic advisor to plan the best time to travel and how to arrange course requirements to maximize your learning abroad. All credits earned abroad transfer back into your degree, but courses taken abroad must be approved to meet course requirements. 

View International Business Course Requirements

Minor in International Business

A minor in International Business is only available to students who major in the College of Business. 
22 hours required

Take 9 credit hours from the following 

Take 6 credit hours of area studies electives from the following areas

  • Geography 
  • History 
  • Politics and Government 
  • Interdisciplinary Studies

Consult advisor for specific courses.