International Business Major

Students of International Business begin with foundational coursework in geography, economics, anthropology, and international relations. Students then choose electives to deepen their understanding of particular areas of interest, and complete their degree by synthesizing their coursework in a senior research capstone project. Electives may be taken from several departments in the Dolan School of Business, paired with a co-curricular major or minor. Both the elective courses and those selected for a student's Dolan School of Business minor or major may be utilized in the capstone research project. Popular electives include classes on international finance, cross-cultural management, global marketing, international trade, international finance and economic policy and many more. Students should work with their adviser in their junior year to prepare for their capstone project.

Several of the Magis Core Signature elements, including the Magis Interdisciplinary requirement (MSID), Writing Across the Curriculum (MWAC), and Writing Within the Discipline (MWID), are satisfied by the foundational coursework In International Business. Many of electives count towards other Magis Core requirements, ensuring that International Business is an excellent complement to any major or minor In the Dolan School.

Co-Curricular Business Requirement

Students pursuing the major in International Business are required to complete a co-curricular minor (or major) in the Dolan School of Business.

Complementary Studies and International Opportunities

The International Business major is part of the International Studies Program. The Program provides opportunities for rich, multidimensional learning with real-world experience through foreign language studies, service learning, work on the Undergraduate Journal of Global Citizenship or in the International Business/International Studies Club. Students also pursue international internships, study abroad opportunities, and work with our faculty on research projects. Students are highly encouraged to engage in one or more of these forms of experiential learning.

Graduation with Honors

Fairfield University has a campus chapter of Sigma Iota Rho, the national honor society for international studies. Students must have attained a junior standing and completed at least twenty-one hours of course work toward the International Studies or International Business major, or nine hours towards the International Studies minor. Students with an overall GPA of 3.30 or greater and a GPA of 3.40 or higher in their International Studies or International Business major are nominated for membership.

For a major in International Business, students complete the following:

Business Core Requirements33
INTL 1050People, Places, and Global Issues3
INTL 1051Introduction to International Relations3
INTL 1052Culture and the Political Economy3
INTL 4999Senior Capstone Seminar3
Select two elective courses from the list below6
Total Credits51

International Business courses completed abroad must be pre-approved by the Assistant Dean of the Dolan School of Business and the Co-Director of International Business.

International Business Electives

ECON 2120Introduction to Environmental Economics3
ECON 3230Comparative Economic Systems3
ECON 3231International Trade3
ECON 3233International Economic Policy and Finance3
ECON 3235Economic Development3
ECON 3237Fair Trade and Microfinance3
FNCE 3200Global Capital Markets3
FNCE 4240International Financial Management3
INTL 2154Contemporary Issues Affecting the Global Business Environment3
INTL 3980Internship0-3
INTL 3990Independent Study1-3
MGMT 4350International Law3
MGMT 4385Managing People for Global Business3
MGMT 4390Cross-Cultural Management3
MKTG 4312Global Marketing3

Suggested Course of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First YearCredits
ECON 1011 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
ECON 1012 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
 Credits6
Second Year
INTL 1050 People, Places, and Global Issues 3
INTL 1051 Introduction to International Relations 3
INTL 1052 Culture and the Political Economy 3
 Credits9
Third Year
Elective 1 3
Elective 2 3
 Credits6
Fourth Year
INTL 4999 Senior Capstone Seminar 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits24