University of Tampa

Bachelor of Science in International Business

What Will You Learn?

UT’s international business degrees are designed to prepare students to meet the needs of businesses requiring global awareness and expertise in a specific business discipline. Students must take all required courses in their chosen functional area (accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, management, marketing, or management information systems), plus:

• Pass a foreign language competency exam or successfully complete an intermediate II foreign language course in Spanish, French, Italian or German.
• Complete an education abroad experience by studying for a semester or year abroad, or participating in a UT travel course or international internship.
• Complete MGT 345 Global Organizational Behavior and MGT 350 International Business.
• Complete 8 credit hours of international elective courses outside the Sykes College of Business.

Topics of study include:

• Global business challenges in accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, public relations, production, and logistics
• Societal, economic, geographic, historical, legal, regulatory, and political factors influencing international business, trade, and investment
• Strategies for entering foreign markets, including exporting, licensing, strategic alliances, and direct foreign investment
• Management of cultural differences and organization of international negotiations
• Ethical decision-making in a global context
• International capital markets and assessment of international financial, political, or economic risks
• How culture, infrastructure, and government impact international marketing
• Analysis of global industries and competitors

Internationally Recognized Program

The Sykes College of Business is accredited at the undergraduate and graduate levels by AACSB International (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), an honor held by only six percent of business schools worldwide. It is rated a top-85 graduate business school in the U.S. by Bloomberg Businessweek, and since 2007 has been named among the best business schools in the world by The Princeton Review.

Practical Experience

UT’s education abroad programs prepare students to be global-ready.

Students fulfill the international business degree’s education abroad requirement through participation in programs sponsored by the Office of International Programs, led by Marca Bear, associate professor of international business and management.

There is no limit to where they can go; UT students are currently studying in India, South Africa, Turkey, Iceland, Dubai, Brazil, and Costa Rica, as well as more traditional locations like Australia, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Education abroad options include:

• UT travel courses. Enroll in an on-campus course with a travel component.
• International internships. Gain valuable career experience and become interculturally aware while earning academic credit.
• Semester/year abroad programs. Study at a foreign institution and acquire experience in fields varying from business to foreign language.

Many international business students also participate in the University’s Certificate in International Studies program as a means to enhance their global education experience. Students in this program engage in a variety of on- and off-campus activities in order to develop their global knowledge, skills, and perspective.

Community Connections

Eight hundred of the region’s community leaders serve on UT advisory boards, providing students with a world of professional connections to explore.

Students also interact with the business community through in-class consulting projects, guest speakers, field trips, and UT’s Centers and Institutes, which include:

• Center for Ethics
• TECO Energy Center for Leadership
• Naimoli Institute for Business Strategy
• Lowth Entrepreneurship Center
• Florida Directors’ Institute

UT encourages students to recognize global career options in various disciplines and industries. International business majors often pursue careers in multinational firms and small independent companies with international activities or government agencies. Graduates can also engage in banking prospects such as corporate lending and international investment work.

What Can You Do With These Degrees?

The variety of careers in international business is as diverse as the people and markets around the globe. UT encourages students to recognize global career options in all disciplines and industries.

Graduates pursue careers in large multinational firms and small independent companies with international activities, as well as government agencies involved in international trade. Financial sector opportunities include corporate lending and international investment work. Import and export activities are also among the top international business careers.

International business professionals generally speak multiple languages and work with people from all around the world. Problem-solving, project management, and leadership skills are critical for success.

Being able to handle diversity and cultural differences is a must. Not all, but many international business assignments require you to live in another country.

Recent UT international business majors have attended graduate programs at:

• Thunderbird School of Global Management
• IE Business School (Madrid)
• University of Miami School of Law
• University of Florida
• University of South Florida
• University of Nottingham (U.K.)
• University of Worcester (U.K.)

Many graduates also continue their education through UT’s MBA program, which offers a concentration in international business. This program is designed to teach students the strategic, operational, economic, and behavioral aspects of managing businesses in different countries. Global marketing techniques are another key area of study.