Bachelor's in Global Business

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Georgetown University

Program Overview

The Global Business (GBUS) major at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service combines business principles with international affairs, politics, economics and culture, making it a strong fit for students interested in how companies operate within global markets and policy environments. Students develop analytical skills in areas such as accounting, finance, marketing and operations while examining international strategy, corporate ethics, social responsibility and the relationship between businesses and governments.

Curriculum Structure

First Year:
Students begin with Georgetown’s interdisciplinary BSFS Core, building foundations in economics, government, history, quantitative reasoning, writing and international affairs. Courses such as ECON 1001: Econ Principles Micro and ECON 1002: Econ Principles Macro, together with BSFS 1010: First-Year Proseminar, establish the economic and analytical foundation for later Global Business study.

Second Year:
During the sophomore year, students declare the Global Business major and begin moving more directly into business and international-market topics. The major develops knowledge of areas such as international trade, finance, marketing and operations, while the BSFS Core includes ECON 2543: International Trade and ECON 2544: International Finance, both required for Global Business majors.

Third Year:
Students progress into advanced Global Business coursework that examines how multinational firms operate and respond to international economic and political conditions. Courses such as GBUS 4400: Business, Accounting Finance, GBUS 4413: Global Business Strategies and GBUS 4401: Foundations in Data Science allow students to develop practical financial, strategic and analytical capabilities.

Fourth Year:
In the final year, students can deepen their interests through advanced Global Business subjects and, where eligible, the Global Business Fellows track. Courses such as GBUS 4410: International Trade Policy & Law, GBUS 4413: Global Business Strategies and GBUS 4493: Ethical Decisions: Global Business & Government connect business strategy with trade policy, governance and ethical decision-making.

Focus areas

International business, global markets, international trade, international finance, business strategy, accounting, marketing, operations, business-government relations, corporate ethics, social responsibility, environmental impact, geopolitics and global economic policy.

Learning outcomes

Students learn to integrate business disciplines with the humanities and social sciences, apply analytical tools in accounting, finance, marketing and operations, evaluate interactions between businesses and governments, and examine corporate ethics, social responsibility and environmental considerations in international contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Global Business major is part of Georgetown’s Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, rather than a standalone business degree. Georgetown states that the McDonough School of Business undergraduate business programs are AACSB-accredited, but this should not be interpreted as separate AACSB accreditation of the SFS Global Business major itself.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Georgetown does not publish a separate employment rate or salary specifically for Global Business majors on the official GBUS page. For broader context, Georgetown McDonough reported that 97% of students seeking employment in its Class of 2025 received an offer within three months, with an average full-time salary of $102,780; these figures apply to McDonough undergraduate students and should not be treated as GBUS-specific results

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Global Business students can connect classroom learning with international business, policy and industry through Georgetown’s Washington, D.C. location, global internships, study-abroad opportunities and the Global Business Fellows track. The programme also provides access to hands-on courses involving data analysis, case studies, industry engagement and international consulting, allowing students to apply business concepts to real organisations and global challenges:

Global Business Experience (GBE): Eligible students can take BADM 4090: Global Business Experience, a three-credit course in which consulting teams work under faculty supervision on real business challenges for international client organisations.
International consulting projects: GBE students develop data-driven strategic recommendations for client organisations and present their final work during an in-person trip to the client's country.
Global Business Fellows: GBUS majors can apply for the 13-credit Global Business Fellows track, which combines international business, geopolitics, policy analysis, global business strategy and industry engagement.
International site visits and industry engagement: The Global Business Fellows programme includes opportunities to consult with business leaders, participate in international site visits and work directly with global firms.
Data science: GBUS 4401: Foundations in Data Science provides hands-on exposure to data analysis and interpretation, with examples drawn from business, economics and society and guest speakers from business, academia and government.
Case-based learning: GBUS 4413: Global Business Strategies uses case discussions, readings and lectures to examine strategic challenges faced by multinational enterprises entering and competing in international markets.
Experiential policy simulations: Georgetown's global-business coursework includes interactive activities that simulate decision-making faced by policymakers and business executives, alongside group and individual projects.
Study abroad: Georgetown provides international study opportunities that allow students to experience business and cultural environments outside the United States.
International internships: The School of Foreign Service highlights global internship opportunities, while Georgetown's Washington, D.C. location gives students access to internship opportunities connected to international affairs and business.
Baratta Center for Global Business Education: The center connects students with business leaders and academics around issues including geopolitics, trade policy, technology, sustainability and the future of global business.
Washington, D.C. ecosystem: Georgetown highlights its proximity to institutions including the State Department, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, think tanks and NGOs, creating opportunities for students to engage with organisations involved in international affairs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Global Business major prepares graduates to work across the private sector, public policy, consulting, nonprofits and other internationally focused organisations by combining business analysis with an understanding of politics, economics and culture. Georgetown specifically describes the major as preparing students to navigate international markets and develop solutions involving business and governance, while its D.C. location provides access to internships and organisations working in international affairs.

Typical career roles include: International Business Consultant, Management Consultant, Business Analyst, Financial Analyst

Career development and graduate outcomes

Career support: Georgetown's career resources support students through career exploration, networking and internship opportunities, while the School of Foreign Service specifically highlights the value of Washington, D.C. for gaining real-world work experience.
Employment environment: Georgetown McDonough's 2025 undergraduate employment report recorded a 97% offer rate within three months among students seeking employment, although this is a McDonough undergraduate figure and is not specific to Global Business majors.
Salary information: The same 2025 McDonough report reported an average full-time salary of $102,780 and an average signing bonus of $9,995; these figures should not be treated as GBUS-specific salary outcomes.
Internship experience: Georgetown reported that 95% of its 2025 McDonough undergraduate class completed at least one internship by graduation. This is a McDonough-wide figure rather than a Global Business major-specific statistic.
Employer connections: Georgetown's reported McDonough employers include organisations such as Bank of America, Blackstone, Boston Consulting Group, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorganChase, McKinsey, Morgan Stanley, PwC and UBS.
Global business partnerships: The Global Business Experience connects students with international client organisations for faculty-supervised consulting projects, while the Global Business Fellows programme provides industry and policy engagement.
Professional value: The major's interdisciplinary structure gives graduates business knowledge alongside international affairs training, supporting pathways across private companies, government, consulting, nonprofits and academia.
Long-term academic flexibility: Georgetown's SFS structure allows students to complement the Global Business major with minors, certificates and other academic interests while completing the BSFS degree.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BSFS with a Global Business major, graduates can pursue postgraduate study in areas such as business, international business, international affairs, economics, finance, public policy, international relations, law or related interdisciplinary fields. Students interested in continuing at Georgetown can also explore graduate and professional programmes offered across the university, depending on their academic and career objectives.