International Business, B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in International Business program at Saint Louis University's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business offers students the opportunity to build global business understanding and experience through courses, student activities, special events and internships.

The Chaifetz School of Business' highly-ranked international business program is designed to provide SLU students with a holistic approach to understanding the interconnectedness of global business and its implications on a company's performance. Through classes and global immersion experiences, students learn about the impact and implementation of international business practices in the modern marketplace and examine various strategic options that managers consider when assessing international market potential. The International Business major prepares students to think in a multi-disciplinary fashion when analyzing and assessing the factors that can evolve a firm's global presence into global excellence.

Before engaging with an overseas business associate, students must first understand how that person's language, communication style, social infrastructure, work attitudes, economy, politics, pace of life, geography and government policies impact the way business is conducted. Students will also learn about exporting, importing, foreign direct investment, foreign licensing, international services and global transactions of products or services. By helping them develop this toolbox, the school prepares students to meet the challenges of operating in a global economy.

International business students are encouraged to participate in several extracurricular opportunities available, including mentorship by senior international business executives, in addition to international business internships.

The Department of International Business also offers a minor for students in other business and non-business majors to add to their chosen major.

Curriculum Overview

The international business major is designed to provide students with a holistic approach to understanding the interconnections of globalization and its implications on a company's performance. Students are introduced to the tools needed to decide on foreign market selections, entry mode strategies, international product customization and global multi-point competitive strategies. In addition, students learn the importance of analyzing the national differences in political, economic, cultural and legal systems. 

Students can focus their coursework on the nuances of business practice in various regions of the world and can choose to align their foreign language classes accordingly.

Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad and gain firsthand experience through immersion. Options range from a large selection of full-semester destinations to shorter global immersion experiences of one to two weeks.

Internships/Student Organizations

Benefits of the international business program also include internship opportunities. International business internships may be completed for credit (up to three academic credits can be approved) and are often paid.

Internships are approached with a team model, linking the Valerie A. Davisson Career Resources Center with a faculty advisor and site supervisor to ensure a meaningful experience. In recent years, international business students have interned with prestigious St. Louis-based companies such as Boeing and Edward Jones, as well as with national and global organizations such as the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg and the U.S. House of Representatives. Many internships lead to job offers for full-time employment after graduation. 

The Department of International Business and the Boeing Institute of International Business support the International Business Club, which provides students with field trips to local international companies such as Nestle, arranges for students to hear from prominent guest speakers, and provides a variety of other special events for club members.

Careers

The increasingly global nature of commerce means students majoring in international business have a wide range of career options. Graduates holding a Bachelor of Science in International Business find opportunities at local firms doing business abroad and multi-national companies operating in countries around the world.

International business students receive dedicated career development support from the Chaifetz School's Valerie A. Davisson Career Resources Center and join a global network of 20,000 alumni of the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business. 

Admission Requirements

Freshman

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply. Saint Louis University also accepts the Common App.

All applications are thoroughly and carefully reviewed. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary criterion in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, undergraduate applicants will not be required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants will be evaluated equally, with or without submitted test scores.

Transfer

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.

Applicants must be graduates of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 credits or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s).

Transfer students must have a cumulative 2.70 GPA to be admitted to the accounting program and a 2.50 GPA for all other majors. In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.

International Applicants

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students, along with the following:

• You must demonstrate English Language proficiency.
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your time at Saint Louis University.
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of your study at the University.
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation

The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world’s largest business education alliance and accrediting body of business schools, ensuring continuous quality improvement in terms of curriculum, instructional resources, student selection, career placement and intellectual contributions and qualifications of the faculty. Approximately 5% of business schools worldwide have achieved AACSB accreditation. 

1. Graduates will be able to understand essential business concepts and how the various functional areas of business are related.
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge of ethical concepts and corporate social responsibility and be able to evaluate business problems from multiple ethical perspectives.
3. Graduates will be able to identify and structure business problems and propose actionable solutions to business problems and, when applicable, utilize appropriate technology.
4. Graduates will be able to demonstrate effective written communication.
5. Graduates will be able to understand how cultures, politics, laws, ethics, and economies influence and impact business and use tools and concepts to analyze and formulate an international business strategy.
6. Graduates will be able to apply international trade and foreign direct investment theories and practices in formulating multinational enterprises' business strategies.
7. Graduates will be able to analyze country, industry, and firm-level factors to assess global competitive dynamics.
8. Graduates will be able to demonstrate an ability to analyze the impact of cross-cultural differences on a multinational enterprise’s strategies, structures and performance.

Eighteen credits of international business courses in addition to IB 2000 Introduction to International Business (3 cr), which is taken as a business core body of knowledge requirement, and nine foreign language credits.

Students who demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English as determined by the academic department for that language may be waived from up to 9 credits of the International Business language requirement.  Courses used to satisfy the language requirement must be in the same language.

†

In addition to completing lower and upper-division coursework in all areas of business, each student typically selects a business major before or during the first semester of the junior year. 18 major-specific credit hours are required as determined by the appropriate department. To broaden their expertise, students may complete more than one major in business, or a major and a minor in business. Outside of the Business Common Body of Knowledge (CBK), however, a maximum of one business course (3 credit hours) may be used to fulfill requirements in two business majors/minors.

§

Various immersion locations; only one may be used to satisfy international business major requirements.

‡

General electives may be selected from any area of study within the University, giving the student the opportunity to diversify their experiences.  Students should consider University Undergraduate CORE attribute requirements when selecting electives.

*

These courses are only offered on the Madrid campus. St. Louis students can take these during a study abroad experience to meet their major requirements.

Continuation Standards

International business students must maintain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all courses used to fulfill the major-specific course requirements.  

​Students will be on program probation if their GPA in major-specific courses used to fulfill major requirements falls below a 2.00. Students will have one semester to increase their major-specific cumulative GPA to a 2.00; if not, students will not be allowed to register for 3000- or 4000-level major-specific courses.

Students will be automatically placed on university probation if any of the following occur:

• Their Saint Louis University cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00
• Their Saint Louis University semester grade point average is below a 1.00
• More than two "incomplete" or two "in-progress" grades on their academic transcript

During the probationary period, advisors help students achieve academic success by closely monitoring their academic performance.

In order to improve scholastically and demonstrate their ability to make progress toward a degree, students on probation may not register for more than 12 credits in the fall and spring semesters, three credits in the winter term, and no more than one course/four credits in any single summer session term.

The conditions under which a student is dismissed from the school include:

1. Inability to eliminate probationary status within the two semesters subsequent to the assignment of probation or
2. A grade point average deficit of more than 15 points.

For more information, see University Academic Policies and Procedures.

Graduation Requirements

To be certified for graduation, a student must complete all course requirements and meet all of the following conditions:

• Apply to graduate.
• Complete the University Undergraduate Core.
• Earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in overall SLU coursework, in business school coursework, and in major-specific courses. (B.S.-Accounting students must earn a minimum 2.70 cumulative GPA in overall SLU coursework, a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in business coursework, and grades of C or higher in all courses that fulfill the major-specific requirements.)
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits at the St. Louis campus or an approved study abroad program.
• Complete at least 50% of business coursework in residence at the St. Louis campus.*
• Complete major-specific course requirements in residence at the St. Louis campus.*
• Students transferring from the Madrid campus must complete a minimum of 40 credits of coursework, including a minimum of 30 credits of business coursework in residence at the St. Louis campus.*

*

Students may pursue the economics, international business or marketing majors at the St. Louis campus and/or at the Madrid campus. The residency requirement then applies to courses taken at either campus.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

¹

Must complete in first 36 credit hours at SLU.

²

Must complete in first 60 credit hours at SLU.

³

Must take second semester sophomore year unless studying abroad.

⁵

See list of IB electives; can only do one IB 4900 Global Immersion in International Business (3 cr) course.

⁶

Must have completed all other Business Common Body of Knowledge courses.

Note: SLU-Madrid and SLU-St. Louis program requirements vary slightly by campus.

In SLU-Madrid's international business program, you'll explore cultural differences in business practices around the world. Knowledge of other cultures promotes successful transactions, not only in international trade, but also within multicultural teams, which are increasingly prevalent in today's globalized society. You'll learn about exporting, importing, foreign direct investment, foreign licensing and international services.

Curriculum Overview

As a student of international business at Saint Louis University, you'll learn about implementing international business practices in the modern marketplace and its impact. You will discover how differences in language, social interaction, work attitudes, economics, politics and social structures affect global commerce.

The international business academic curriculum is completely integrated into that of the St. Louis campus. You'll be encouraged to take advantage of the seamless relationship between the degree programs at each campus by completing a semester abroad.

Fieldwork, Internships and Careers

Our international faculty and student body make studying in Madrid an outstanding and enriching experience. Guest lecturers, visits to companies and internships allow students to not only learn how to manage a business, but to see it live. As one of the financial capitals of Europe, Madrid is an ideal location to study international finance and trade.

The international business program is interdisciplinary and prepares students for careers with multinational corporations, financial institutions with foreign operations or government agencies involved in international trade and finance.

Qualified international business students may choose to earn up to three credits toward their degree by doing an internship. These students learn to implement their study skills while gaining valuable professional experience at multinational companies in Madrid.

Graduates find career opportunities with international banks, multinational corporations or other global organizations. Other students choose graduate school to focus their careers in finance, management or marketing.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the major, you must have at least a 2.00 cumulative average and complete a declaration of major form, available in the Office of the Registrar. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be assigned a departmental advisor.

Tuition and Fees

SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.

If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu. 

• Tuition and Fees
• Scholarships and Financial Aid

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