International Business
Business decisions increasingly extend beyond national borders. The International Business minor helps students understand the global economy, evaluate opportunities and risks in international markets, and consider how cultural and regional differences shape the way organizations operate.
Through 15 credit hours of required and elective coursework, students develop a global perspective that complements their major and prepares them to work effectively across cultures and national contexts. No application is required; students can notify their college advisor of their intent to pursue the minor.
Curriculum requirements
To complete the minor, students must earn 15-16.5 credit hours, including four required core courses (10.5 credits) and 4.5 -6 elective credit hours. All courses must be completed with the appropriate prerequisites.
- BUSMHR 2000: ECON 2001 and ECON 2002 (or equivalents)
- BUSMHR 4010, 4020, 4021: BUSMHR 2000
Students must complete the following four courses in sequence. Note that BUSMHR 2000 must be completed before enrolling in any of the other core courses.
- BUSMHR 2000 — Introduction to International Business (1.5 credits): Overview of global trade, multinational corporations, and the environments in which they operate.
- Prerequisites: ECON 2001 and ECON 2002 or equivalents
- BUSMHR 4010 — International Business Strategies (3 credits): Strategic decision-making in global markets and risk mitigation.
- Prerequisite: BUSMHR 2000
- BUSMHR 4020 — Cross-Cultural Management (3 credits): Examines how cultural values influence business interactions and explores business practices across various countries.
- Prerequisite: BUSMHR 2000
- BUSMHR 4021 — Institutions of the International Business Environment (3 credits): Analysis of global institutions that shape commerce and policy.
- Prerequisite: BUSMHR 2000
Students must select 6 additional credit hours of electives that have an international or global focus. Electives may be drawn from various departments, but foreign language courses are not permitted. Some commonly approved electives include:
- Fisher College of Business options:
- BUSFIN 3250, 4250 (Finance specialization students only)
- BUSOBA 4237, 4263
- BUSMHR 4023, 4321
- BUSML 4254
- Interdisciplinary options:
- AEDECON 4535, 4540
- ECON 4130, 4560
- GEOG 5700
- INTSTDS 4195, 4850
- POLITSC 4310, 4910
- SPANISH 5640
Students may propose other courses for elective credit if the content is international in nature. These must be approved by a faculty advisor. Contact Professor Mona Makhija for approval.
Frequently asked questions
No application is needed. Let your college advisor know you plan to pursue the minor, as they will need to approve the minor once you've met the requirements. Fisher does not require formal approval but can provide a signed program form if needed. You may also contact Fisher's Undergraduate Program Office for support.
No. Minor courses may not count toward any business core or specialization requirements, except as free electives.
You must have at least 12 unique hours in each minor. Check with your advisor for more information.
No. Foreign language coursework is not applicable to the International Business minor.
No. All courses must be taken for a grade. Pass/Non-Pass courses will not count.
You must earn:
- C- or higher in each course
- A 2.00 cumulative GPA across all minor courses
No. All prerequisites must be completed before taking required or elective courses in the minor.
Yes. The course must have a strong international focus and must be approved by an international business faculty member in the MHR department. Contact Professor Mona Makhija for review and approval.
You may apply up to 6 credit hours of transfer credit toward the minor if the courses are equivalent.
Looking for a deeper focus in international business?
Fisher students pursuing a BSBA can study international business as their primary area of specialization. Explore the International Business specialization to learn about its curriculum, learning opportunities and career pathways.