International Business, BSBA

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of San Francisco

Program Overview

The International Business, BSBA program at the University of San Francisco prepares students to understand how culture, economics, politics, and international markets influence business decisions around the world. It is ideal for students interested in global careers who want to develop business knowledge, foreign language proficiency, cross-cultural understanding, and practical experience through international study, immersion opportunities, and global business learning.

Curriculum Structure

The degree requires a minimum of 120 credits, including the university core curriculum, business major requirements, and a foreign language requirement specific to International Business. The following is a suggested year-by-year progression; the university does not publish a fixed sequence for every student's courses.

Year 1 – Business and Academic Foundations

Students begin by developing communication, quantitative reasoning, and foundational business knowledge. Courses may include BUS 100 – Launch into Business, ECON 110 – Introductory Economics, and MATH 106 – Business Statistics, alongside university core courses and introductory foreign language study.

Year 2 – Core Business Knowledge

Students strengthen their understanding of accounting, management, marketing, finance, and organizational operations while progressing in their foreign language studies. Relevant business core courses include Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, and Quantitative Business Analysis.

Year 3 – International Business and Global Markets

Students explore international business operations, global economic systems, international financial decisions, and cross-cultural management. The curriculum map identifies courses such as BUS 350, BUS 452, and BUS 430, alongside the required third-semester foreign language proficiency. International study or immersion experiences can help students apply their learning in a different cultural setting.

Year 4 – Strategic Application and Global Experience

Students complete advanced business and major requirements, applying their understanding of international markets, global business strategy, and cross-cultural decision-making. The program's curriculum map includes BUS 461, while students complete remaining core, major, language, and experiential learning requirements.

Focus Areas

International business, global markets, international trade, international finance, international management, cross-cultural communication, foreign language proficiency, global business strategy, international economics, cultural and political influences on business, international study, ethical business practices.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to understand global business environments, assess how culture and economic conditions influence organizations, evaluate international business and financial decisions, develop strategies for international markets, communicate across cultural settings, and apply ethical judgment to business challenges. The program also develops foreign language proficiency and the ability to work effectively in diverse international environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The University of San Francisco School of Management holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This provides external quality assurance for the School of Management's business education; a separate program-specific accreditation for International Business was not identified.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

$80,600 – Average starting salary for 2022 International Business graduates, according to USF's First Destination Survey.
Graduates have been employed by organizations including Bank of America, China Minsheng Bank, GM Cruise LLC, Intercontinental, VMware, and Square.
USF's 2024 BSBA outcomes report records a 90% combined employment and continuing-education rate, with an average salary of $76,170 across the reported BSBA cohort. This is a School-wide figure, not specific to International Business.
USF's undergraduate business programs were placed in the top 25% by U.S. News & World Report 2026.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At USF, International Business students can extend their learning beyond the classroom through study abroad, international immersion, community engagement, and opportunities to explore entrepreneurship. Students can study in countries such as Japan, Morocco, and Germany, while global experiences help them understand how business, culture, and local communities interact. The university also offers interdisciplinary projects through the Horizon Collective, allowing students to work with peers on real-world topics.

Students can gain practical exposure through:

Study abroad: Academic, fieldwork, internship, and immersion opportunities ranging from one week to an academic year.
International destinations: Study abroad examples include Japan, Morocco, and Germany.
Foreign language learning: Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish are among the languages available for placement and study.
Global immersion: Experiences such as the New Orleans immersion trip help students explore cultural history and community perspectives.
Entrepreneurship: International Business student Zac Clark ’23 launched The HomeMore Project, a nonprofit initiative supporting access to free solar power.
Community engagement: Students can participate in projects addressing community needs and social challenges.
Horizon Collective: Interdisciplinary real-world projects focused on sustainability, artificial intelligence, and health.
Career Services Center: Internship search assistance, employer connections, career events, résumé guidance, and interview preparation.
Business environment: San Francisco's business and technology ecosystem provides access to professional networking and internship opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can pursue opportunities in international finance, global business development, consulting, technology, international organizations, and multinational companies. USF's International Business alumni have entered organizations across several industries, while the program's language and international experience components can help students prepare for work in multicultural business environments.

Potential career roles: International Business Analyst, Global Business Development Associate, International Marketing Coordinator, International Trade Analyst.

Students can prepare for these opportunities through:

Career Services: The Priscilla A. Scotlan Career Services Center provides career appointments, job and internship listings through Handshake, employer connections, résumé support, LinkedIn guidance, and interview preparation.
Employment and salary: USF reports an average starting salary of $80,600 for International Business graduates from the 2022 cohort.
Employer exposure: Reported employers include Bank of America, China Minsheng Bank, GM Cruise LLC, Intercontinental, VMware, and Square.
Industry connections: USF's San Francisco location provides access to employers and professional opportunities in the Bay Area, including technology, finance, and consulting.
Accreditation: AACSB accreditation applies at the School of Management level and provides external quality assurance for its business education.
Graduation outcomes: For the 2024 BSBA cohort, USF reports 79% employed, 10% continuing education, 90% employed or continuing education, and an average salary of $76,170. These figures cover the broader BSBA cohort rather than International Business graduates alone.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BSBA, graduates may consider postgraduate study in International Business, International Management, Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Marketing, Economics, or Global Supply Chain Management. Admission to postgraduate programs will depend on the institution's academic and professional entry requirements.