BSBA Major in International Business

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Drexel University

Program Overview

The BSBA Major in International Business at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business prepares students to understand how organizations operate across countries, cultures and markets, combining global trade, international finance, economic development and multinational management with practical business skills. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum spanning business, economics, finance, management and marketing, students develop the analytical, communication and problem-solving abilities needed to pursue opportunities in globally connected organizations.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish a strong foundation in business, economics, quantitative reasoning and academic communication through courses such as Dragon Awakening: Principles of Business, Principles of Microeconomics, Mathematical Tools and Techniques, Composition and Rhetoric I and Introductory Business Analytics. This stage develops core analytical and business concepts that support more advanced international business study.

Year 2: The curriculum expands into the major functional areas of business, including Introduction to Financial Accounting, Introduction to Managerial Accounting, Principles of Macroeconomics, Introduction to Finance, Introduction to Marketing Management, Management Information Systems and Business Statistics I. Students also begin their dedicated international business coursework with International Business, connecting core business disciplines to global markets and cross-border activity.

Year 3: Students deepen their understanding of global organizations and international markets through courses such as Multinational Corporations, International Trade, International Money and Finance and Regional Studies in Economic Policies and International Business. Cross-disciplinary options can also include International Business Law, Economic Development, Global Financial Management, Global Marketing Strategy and international course experiences, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests.

Year 4: Advanced study culminates in International Business Seminar, together with further international business or cross-disciplinary electives and the Dragon's Edge: Applied Learning Capstone or an entrepreneurship-focused alternative. Students can also use free electives to complement international business with another major or minor, while optional co-op participation provides an additional route to professional experience.

Focus Areas

International business, global trade, international finance, multinational corporations, economic development, international economics, global marketing, international business law, global financial management, cross-cultural business, strategic management, international entrepreneurship, supply chain and operations, foreign language study

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to analyze international markets, evaluate global business opportunities and risks, understand political, economic, cultural and ethical differences across countries, apply business concepts in diverse global contexts, communicate effectively across cultures, and use research and data-driven analysis to support business decisions. The program also emphasizes ethical responsibility, sustainability and cultural awareness.

Professional Alignment

The program is offered through Drexel LeBow College of Business, which maintains AACSB International accreditation. LeBow states that AACSB accreditation provides internationally recognized specialized accreditation for business and accounting education and reflects a commitment to continuous improvement.

Reputation & Career Outcomes

Drexel LeBow reports an average starting salary of $76,400 for International Business majors in the Class of 2025. The college also reports that 91.6% of International Business major co-ops were paid positions during the 2024–2025 academic year, with a median co-op hourly pay of $20.50. Recent graduates have joined organizations including CHUBB, Comcast, Deloitte, Estée Lauder, Hamilton Lane, S&P Global Commodity Insights and Tapestry.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Drexel LeBow places strong emphasis on applying classroom knowledge to real business situations. International Business students can combine academic study with Drexel Co-op, international consulting residencies, case competitions, research projects, international experiences, industry events and alumni mentorship, creating opportunities to work with organizations and solve practical business challenges.

The Drexel Co-op option allows eligible students to alternate classroom study with full-time professional experience. Depending on the chosen plan, students can complete up to three co-ops and graduate with as much as 18 months of workplace experience. International Business students have completed co-ops with organizations including the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, International SOS Assistance Inc., ISG Korea Corporation, FMC Corporation, PwC Consulting in Vietnam and Pfizer.

Students can also participate in international consulting courses through the Dana and David Dornsife Office for Experiential Learning, where teams work on real or simulated challenges for organizations in the United States and abroad. Projects have involved organizations such as Unilever, the Philadelphia 76ers, Boeing and PwC, as well as nonprofit and governmental partners.

Key opportunities include:

Drexel Co-op: Up to three co-op experiences, providing as much as 18 months of professional experience.
International Consulting Residencies: Team-based consulting projects that can involve working with organizations abroad and presenting recommendations during an overseas residency.
Case Competitions: Opportunities to apply analytical and strategic business knowledge to practical business challenges.
Research Projects: Applied research that connects international business concepts with real-world questions.
International Experiences: Study abroad, global classrooms and other international learning opportunities.
Global Learning Community: Opportunities to develop a broader understanding of global business and cultures.
International Business Student Association: A student organization focused on increasing cultural awareness in business settings.
Industry and Alumni Engagement: Industry thought-leader events and alumni mentorship provide opportunities to build professional networks.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Drexel LeBow’s International Business major can apply their global business knowledge across multinational corporations, consulting, finance, marketing, trade, government and international organizations. The program develops skills in international business law, global financial management, global marketing, outsourcing management and international macro policy, supporting careers that involve cross-border markets and diverse business environments.

Typical career roles include International Marketing Director, Financial Controller, Multinational Manager and Business Development Director. Drexel also identifies opportunities such as International Trade and Customs Manager, International Foreign Policy Advisor, Marketing Manager, Human Resources Manager, Financial Analyst, Economist and Policy Analyst.

Career development is supported through LeBow's Center for Career Readiness, which provides résumé reviews, interview preparation, career guidance and networking support. The program also benefits from Drexel's extensive co-op structure, while the college reports a $76,400 average starting salary for International Business graduates in the Class of 2025.

Career and professional advantages include:

Professional experience: Optional co-op pathways can provide up to 18 months of full-time workplace experience before graduation.
International exposure: Students can develop global experience through study abroad, global classrooms and international consulting opportunities.
Employer connections: Recent International Business graduates have joined organizations including Deloitte, Comcast, CHUBB, Estée Lauder, Hamilton Lane and S&P Global Commodity Insights.
Career preparation: The Center for Career Readiness supports résumé development, interview preparation, career guidance and networking.
Professional recognition: LeBow College of Business maintains AACSB accreditation, an internationally recognized specialized business accreditation.
Global career flexibility: The interdisciplinary curriculum can support careers across international corporations, consulting, trade, finance, marketing, government and international institutions.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study in business and related fields. Drexel specifically identifies the LeBow MBA and MS in Business Analytics as graduate pathways pursued by International Business majors, while the program also provides preparation for graduate study in areas such as economics, international relations and public policy.