Program Description
The B.B.A. degree in international business requires a minimum of 120 credit hours of undergraduate work. This consists of general education courses, B.B.A. core courses and major requirements. The major requirements include international business courses, advanced language courses and courses in one of three concentrations.
Each student in the major is required to complete an "international experience" (study, intern or work abroad). The international experience requirement is for a minimum of six weeks outside of the United States, unless express permission is granted by the program director for another option. The primary language spoken in the country chosen by each student for the study/work abroad requirement is not to be English and would optimally be the language chosen by the student to meet the international business language requirement. Approval of the international experience requirement must be obtained from the program director (approval forms are available online). International students should see the program director to determine appropriate requirements for this aspect of the curriculum.
Students majoring in international business must carefully plan their individual course work because not all required courses are offered each semester.
As part of the JMU assessment program, graduating seniors are required to participate in assessment activities. Assessment information is used to assist the COB faculty in modifying curricula and co-curricular events.
Admission and Retention Requirements
Students planning to major in international business must complete the 27 to 28 hour, lower-level B.B.A. curriculum prior to enrolling in upper-level B.B.A. courses, normally taken in the first semester of the junior year. It is expected that the lower-level B.B.A. core curriculum along with most of the university General Education curriculum will be completed during the first two years of study. Failing to complete all lower-level core requirements on time will delay enrollment in upper-level core and major courses until at least the second semester of the junior year.
The foreign language requirements of the major begin at the advanced level. Consequently, students with little or no foreign language training must use elective credits to obtain proficiency through the intermediate level.
College of Business Progression Standards
Any student admitted to JMU can declare any major offered by the College of Business. However, students must make satisfactory progress in order to be formally admitted into the College of Business. Requirements to continue pursuing a B.B.A. degree, often referred to as progression standards or formal admission, can be found on the College of Business catalog page.
Recommended Schedule for Majors
First Two Years
Students planning to major in international business must complete the lower-division B.B.A. core curriculum prior to enrolling in upper-division core courses, which are normally taken in the first semester of the junior year. It is expected that the lower-division B.B.A. core curriculum will be completed during the first two years of study along with most of the university General Education curriculum. Failing to complete all lower-division B.B.A. core requirements on time will delay enrollment in upper-division core and major courses.
Plan of Study Grid
| Third Year |
|---|
| COB 300A |
Integrative Business: Management |
3 |
| COB 300B |
Integrative Business: Finance |
3 |
| COB 300C |
Integrative Business: Operations |
3 |
| COB 300D |
Integrative Business: Marketing |
3 |
| COB 318 |
Legal and Ethical Environment of Business |
3 |
| ECON 270 |
International Economics |
3 |
|
6 |
|
6 |
| | Credits | 30 |
| Fourth Year |
|---|
| BLAW 497 |
Legal Aspects of International Business |
3 |
| COB 487 |
Strategic Management |
3 |
| IB 480 |
International Business Theory and Policy |
3 |
| MGT 340 |
International Management |
3 |
|
6 |
|
12 |
| | Credits | 30 |
| | Total Credits | 60 |
