BS Business in International Business

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Program Overview

The International Business co-major at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management helps students understand how businesses operate across different countries, cultures, and global markets. Alongside another business major, students explore international business, develop language skills, and gain firsthand experience abroad, preparing them to work confidently in organizations with global operations.

Curriculum Structure

Note: The university provides a sample four-year plan rather than a fixed course sequence. The following is a suggested progression based on its published curriculum.

Year 1 – Building Business Foundations

Students start by developing essential business and analytical skills through courses such as Business Economics, Business Statistics in R, and Leading Self & Teams. They also begin foreign-language study and explore Financial Reporting, Solving Business Scenarios in Excel, and Powerful Problem Solving to build confidence in business calculations, communication, and decision-making.

Year 2 – Understanding Business Functions

Students move into the Carlson Integrated Core, where they study Principles of Marketing, Information Systems & Digital Transformation, and Strategic Management Accounting. Courses such as Finance Fundamentals, Sustainable Supply Chain Management, and Human Capital Management help them understand how different business functions work together, while the Impact Lab Project gives them an opportunity to apply their learning to practical challenges.

Year 3 – Exploring International Business

Students deepen their global business knowledge through The International Environment of Firms and continue developing their primary business major. They then complete a semester abroad, where they experience a different culture and may earn credits toward their International Business co-major, primary major, liberal education, or electives.

Year 4 – Applying Global Business Knowledge

In the final year, students complete advanced International Business coursework, including Business Communication and the Senior Seminar in International Business. They bring together their primary business specialization and international learning to develop a broader understanding of global organizations and prepare for professional opportunities.

Focus Areas

International business, globalization, international business environments, cross-cultural management, international economics, foreign-language proficiency, global business strategy, international experience, business communication, business analytics, finance, marketing, supply chain management, human capital management

Learning Outcomes

Students learn how cultural differences, economic conditions, and international business environments influence organizational decisions. Through foreign-language study and a semester abroad, they also develop cross-cultural communication, adaptability, global awareness, and the ability to apply business knowledge in international settings.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Carlson School of Management is accredited by AACSB International. This school-level accreditation recognizes the quality of its business education and is not a separate professional license specific to the International Business co-major.

Reputation (Employability and Career Outlook)

Carlson reports that 97.1% of its Bachelor of Science in Business graduates were employed within three months of graduation for the Class of 2025. The undergraduate employment report also lists a median base salary of USD 70,000 and a mean base salary of USD 73,149. These figures represent Carlson undergraduate business graduates overall, not International Business co-major graduates specifically.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical international business experience through a required semester abroad, foreign-language study, applied projects, and opportunities to connect with global organizations. Carlson’s location in the Minneapolis–St. Paul business community also gives students exposure to multinational employers, corporate visits, guest lectures, and recruiting events. These experiences help students understand how business decisions are made in real organizations and how to work effectively with people from different backgrounds.

Students can develop practical skills through the following opportunities:

Required semester abroad: Spend at least one full semester studying abroad and experience a different academic and cultural environment.
Foreign-language study: Complete at least two college years, equivalent to four semesters, of a foreign language or demonstrate equivalent proficiency.
International Business coursework: Study The International Environment of Firms and complete the Senior Seminar in International Business after the semester abroad.
Impact Lab Project: Apply business knowledge to practical challenges through the Carlson Integrated Core.
GLOBE student organization: Connect with students interested in international perspectives and global business.
Global Business Nexus: Participate in a student organization focused on global business engagement.
Corporate visits and guest lectures: Learn directly from business professionals and gain insight into how organizations operate.
Global employer exposure: Carlson highlights its location near 17 multinational Fortune 500 companies, creating opportunities for corporate visits, guest lectures, and recruiting events.
International networks: Build connections through the semester abroad and Carlson’s partner business schools.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The International Business co-major helps students prepare for careers where business knowledge and global understanding go hand in hand. By combining their primary business specialization with language skills, cultural awareness, and international experience, graduates can explore opportunities in global operations, consulting, marketing, finance, supply chain management, and business development.

Potential Career Roles: International Business Analyst, Global Business Development Associate, International Marketing Specialist, Global Supply Chain Analyst

Career Development and Graduate Outcomes

Career services: Carlson’s Business Career Center provides career advising, resume and cover-letter support, interview preparation, job-search guidance, networking resources, and offer negotiation assistance.
Employment outcomes: Carlson reports that 97.1% of its B.S. in Business graduates were employed within three months of graduation for the Class of 2025.
Salary figures: The Class of 2025 undergraduate business employment report lists a median base salary of USD 70,000 and a mean base salary of USD 73,149. These are school-wide undergraduate business figures, not salaries specific to International Business graduates.
Industry connections: Students can explore internships, employment opportunities, mentorships, corporate visits, guest lectures, and recruiting events involving multinational and Fortune 500 companies.
Experiential opportunities: Carlson offers more than 30 student groups, along with case competitions, leadership camps, and other activities that encourage students to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom.
Accreditation value: AACSB accreditation provides external recognition of Carlson’s business education standards.
Professional development: Students strengthen cross-cultural communication, global business awareness, analytical thinking, teamwork, and international relationship-building through coursework and their required international experience.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may continue their education through an MBA or specialized master's degree in areas such as international business, management, finance, marketing, or supply chain management. The appropriate pathway will depend on their career interests and the admission requirements of the chosen graduate program.