Online Degree in International Business

Globalization presents huge opportunities, but also many challenges. In today’s growing global market, countries and national economies are becoming more and more interdependent. As a result, the ability to work effectively across various countries is a requirement that many businesses depend on. Corporations need employees who have the political, technological, financial and cultural knowledge to work across borders. However, companies are not the only ones who benefit as the exposure to different international markets and cultures can also be an eye-opening and life-changing experience for individuals.

Apart from having an interest in travelling and learning about different cultures, the College Board states that it helps to be a good communicator, confident and good with numbers. If this sounds right up your alley, then an online international business degree can not only help you understand diverse populations but also give you the knowledge to successfully navigate and positively impact businesses at home and afar. Online international degree programs can also offer recent high school graduates, career changers and working professionals the flexibility to earn a degree while still adhering to work, family or other commitments. What can I do with a Degree in International Business?

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There are plenty of different occupations you can have within the field of international business that cater to different interests and career goals. A few of them along with their associated tasks are:

Logistician:

  • Managing the life cycle of a product – from its conception to disposal
  • Analyzing and coordinating supply chains for their organization
  • Reviewing logistical functions and suggesting improvements

Financial Analyst:

  • Recommending investments for company portfolios
  • Studying economic and business trends for a particular country or region
  • Assessing the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments

Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers:

  • Planning advertising campaigns to generate interest in products or services
  • Negotiating advertising contracts
  • Developing pricing strategies for products or services

Environmental sustainability is important to both consumers and the international community. Starting in 2020, most countries will implement agreements set in the Paris Climate Agreement with the goal of reducing carbon emissions.

An online degree in international business can open the door to a world of possibilities. With sound business skills and knowledge of diverse landscapes, international business graduates have the potential to impact businesses on a global scale.

Salaries can vary depending on your experience, job profile and where you are located. The table below lists occupations related to the field of international business along with job openings, average salary, total employment and job outlook for 2016 to 2026 using data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Careers
Employment
Median Salary
Projected Job Growth
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary14,070$62,8608.1%
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers665,280$63,1505%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists88,120$54,2903.3%

Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

What International Business Degrees are in Demand?

The word “international” implies that opportunities may be borderless. There is no typical career path and depending on the level of education one wishes to pursue, a degree in international business or global management can open the doors to careers in many different industries such as marketing, finance, accounting and management. A certificate or an associate degree in international business may allow individuals to apply for entry-level roles. A bachelor’s degree in international business may help graduate be eligible for a number of careers including those as foreign service managers and cultural advisers or consultants. Master’s and more advanced degrees may open up leadership and executive positions in multinational conglomerates.

Speaking a foreign language may also boost career prospects.

What can I expect to learn in an online certificate program?

An online certificate in international business can offer students a globally focused overview of various business topics and understand the challenges faced by businesses at international levels along with potential solutions.

Typical duration: Up to one year of study

General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent

Typical coursework: Topics included in curricula are usually designed to help students develop practical knowledge and basic understanding of how business is conducted in a global environment. Topics you may study include:

  • International business
  • Principles of management
  • International banking and finance

Possible electives: Doing business in Europe; international economics; international marketing

What can I do after earning a certificate in international business?

A certificate in international business may qualify you for entry-level positions in multinational corporations, market research groups, consulting firms, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. You may also be able to transfer your credits toward an online international business degree should you wish to advance your education. The U.S. in particular is beginning to reevaluate its position in major trade agreements, which could shift the global trade landscape.

What can I expect to learn in an online associate degree program?

Students of online international business degree programs at the associate level are typically exposed to various international business contexts in order to learn how to work and communicate effectively in cross-cultural situations, analyze problems and provide businesses with actionable strategies.

Typical duration: Up to two years of full-time study

General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent

Typical coursework: Coursework is often introductory and covers topics such as principles of economics, business ethics, accounting, finance and intercultural management. It builds on the coursework included in a certificate program to include general education classes to offer a more rounded education. Core courses you may take include:

  • International business law
  • Strategies for international business ventures
  • Principles of microeconomics
  • Introduction to international marketing

What kind of jobs can I get after earning an associate degree in international business?

After completing an associate degree program, graduates can pursue entry-level positions in an industry that interests them or can choose to further their education by earning a bachelor’s degree in international business/global management or a related field. Potential job titles include:

  • International medical claims representative
  • International logistics dedicated customer professional
  • Manager, international benefits
  • International business capture liaison manager

According to the Conference Board, the global economy will grow 3.1% in 2019 and GNP growth will slow in key markets such as Europe (1.9%) and Japan (0.9%).

What can I expect to learn in an online bachelor’s degree program?

An online international business bachelor’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration/specialization in international business, offers a more in-depth education than an associate degree. Students typically gain a solid, well-rounded understanding of business fundamentals as well as knowledge and skills to face the unique and complex challenges of the global market. By learning both theoretical and practical concepts, students develop the skills to make business decisions that are ethical and effective, both domestically and internationally.

Typical duration: Up to four years of full-time study

General prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent

Typical coursework: Much of the curriculum covers business strategies in a universal capacity; however, students will also gain heavy exposure to the practices used in and by other countries. Coursework aims to help students apply basic business principles to assess and strategize culturally-sensitive ventures and transactions. Examples of topics include:

  • International financial management
  • MNC strategy simulation
  • Multinational marketing
  • International human resources management
  • Operations management and quantitative techniques

You may have to complete a capstone project as a part of your online international business bachelor’s degree program.

What kind of jobs can I get after earning a bachelor’s in international business?

Many business occupations require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree according to the BLS. Graduates of online international business bachelor’s degree programs may qualify to hold job titles like:

  • In-country manager
  • Business and risk analyst
  • Operations manager
  • Import/export trade representative
  • Manager of international affairs

The recent signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement only boosted the prospects of U.S. companies leveraging Mexico’s proximity and low labor cost.

What can I expect to learn in an online master’s degree program?

An online international business master’s degree program or an MBA with a concentration in international business can enable students to become global business experts. These programs may impart an understanding of trade, investment, financial, and marketing strategies that work best in multinational firms. Students in this program will also study the political, cultural, and commercial environments of foreign markets.

Typical duration: Up to two years of full-time study

General prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree in international business or a related field

Typical coursework: At the graduate-level, coursework is more defined and generally aims to further enhance leadership, interpersonal and communication skills as well as one’s knowledge of key aspects of international business management. Examples of courses you may take include:

  • Global megatrends, geopolitics, and political economy
  • Global strategy and business models
  • Managing international trade and finance
  • Leading Across Boundaries
  • Ethical issues in domestic and global business environments

You may have to complete a capstone project or an international business residency as a part of your online degree program.

What kind of jobs can I get after earning a master’s in international business?

Graduates of master’s degree programs in international business may qualify for leadership positions in multinational corporations. Potential job titles include:

  • International finance manager
  • International marketing manager
  • Multi-national manager
  • International foreign policy advisor
  • International marketing director
  • Currency investment financial advisor

Online graduate certificates may suit those individuals who cannot commit to a full-time master’s degree program due to time, finance or other constraints. They may also work well for professionals already working in the business field who want to broaden their knowledge for advancement or a change in job roles. Graduate certificate programs typically require fewer credits than a full-fledged master’s degree.

Typical duration: One year of study

General prerequisites: A bachelor’s degree in international business or a related field

Typical coursework: Students can study a range of graduate level topics like:

  • International economics
  • International management
  • International accounting
  • Intercultural communications

What can I expect to learn in an online doctoral degree program?

Prospective students have two main choices when it comes to earning a degree in international business at the doctoral level:

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in international business — typically designed for professionals looking to improve real-world business practices through advanced theoretical knowledge

Ph.D. in international business — this doctoral program tends to focus on the creation of new theories, often for academic purposes

Though curriculum varies from program to program and school to school, concepts from both types of degree programs often overlap. Students in an online international business doctoral program generally choose to specialize in a particular area such as finance, human resources, supply chain management or international marketing.

Typical duration: Three to seven years of full-time study

General prerequisites: A master’s degree in international business or a related field

Typical coursework: Typically, curriculum in an international business doctorate program is self-directed and emphasizes theory and quantitative research methods as well as key international business concepts. Courses you may take include:

  • Foreign direct information
  • Privatization, economic reform and globalization in emerging markets
  • Theories of globalization
  • Global Marketing Environment
  • International Business Law & Environment

There may also be residency requirements depending on the school.

Dissertation: Both types of doctorates require students to work on, submit, and defend a dissertation — based on original study and analysis — before completion of the program. A panel of faculty members chosen by the doctoral candidate and the department chair reviews the information and conclusions formed.

What kind of jobs can I get after earning a doctorate in international business?

Career paths diverge depending on the doctoral degree that is earned. Individuals who earn a Ph.D. may be qualified to become a postsecondary teacher in the field of business administration and international business. Graduates of Ph.D. programs may also want to use their degree in order to conduct research in a non-academic setting, including positions in government or larger corporate institutions.

Graduates of international business D.B.A. programs may better qualify to transition into senior management positions within their current company.

Accreditation

Accreditation plays an important role for students choosing an online international business degree program. This voluntary process that universities undergo can demonstrate that the program offers education that aligns with the high quality standards required for employment in the industry. Attending an accredited program is also an important prerequisite for receiving federal financial aid, scholarships and transferring educational credits.

Some accrediting bodies for business-related programs and schools are:

Specializations in International Business

Specializations within the field of international business can allow you to have a deeper focus in an area of your interest that aligns with your professional goals. Some specializations you may be able to choose from include:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Information systems and business analytics
  • Management and international business
  • Marketing

Certifications

Professional certifications are not always mandatory but they can serve to enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise in a particular aspect of international business. Some employers, especially those in the fields of technology, may require their employees to hold certifications in products they use. Mandatory or not, they may give you an edge during the hiring process over those without. Some professional certifications include:

Professional certifications may need to be renewed periodically through continuing education classes or reexaminations.

The BLS reports that there is expected to be a strong demand for candidates with knowledge of the global economy and how it functions. There are, therefore, scholarships available to eligible students with an interest in international business. Scholarships may be offered by professional associations, universities, educational foundations and businesses among other such institutions. Some scholarships to help you get started in your search are:

Other resources for those in the field of International Business:

Employment Statistics

Logisticians

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
Freight Transportation Arrangement Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
States with the highest level of employment
California Texas Illinois Michigan Virginia
Top-paying metropolitan areas
Lake Charles, LA California-Lexington Park, MD Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Lima, OH Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX

Financial Analysts

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
Other Investment Pools and Funds Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities Monetary Authorities-Central Bank Nondepository Credit Intermediation Management of Companies and Enterprises
States with the highest level of employment
New York California Texas Illinois Massachusetts
Top-paying metropolitan areas
Boulder, CO New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT Salem, OR

Source: 2016 Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov. Article Sources

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Article Sources

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