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Graduation from an international business MBA program is a career-changing event that can drastically increase your chance for promotions on the global front. According to Forbes, America’s Class of 2017 had 13,000 MBA graduates with four years of work experience on average. Joining this elite group may unlock a world of upper-level management job choices with lucrative pay. In fact, Business Insider recognized the Booth, Olin, Warwick, Foster, Scheller, Darden, Wharton, and Mays B-schools for having job placement rates over 95%. The Graduate Management Administration Council reported a whopping $115,000 average base income for 10,882 surveyed alums in 2018. Demand for graduates across Earth is strong with four in five companies projecting new MBA hires this year. Therefore, we used CNN Money‘s best jobs list to outline 10 international business degree career options for MBA graduates. Note we also gave suggestions for career-specific electives that could enhance your Global MBA training.

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1. Risk Management Director

The 2017 Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty report analyzed 100,073 liability claims in 100+ nations from natural disaster, vandalism, fire, and cyber infiltration that totaled $9.3 billion. Risk management directors are safety specialists who establish mitigation plans to keep these incidents from closing corporate doors. International organizations need them to identify threats, formulate emergency protocol, prevent financial losses, find protective solutions, run security tests, lead recovery efforts, procure cleanup aid, and file indemnity paperwork.

Median Annual Salary: $131,000

Expected Job Growth: 7%

MBA Courses to Add: Enterprise Risk, Asset Management, Incident Response, Casualty Insurance, and Derivatives

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2. Corporate Auditing Director

Economic crimes are rampant worldwide with 49% of global organizations telling PricewaterhouseCoopers that they’ve fallen victim to fraud costing up to $50 million. Corporate auditing directors are number sleuths who oversee the systematic review of internal operations to catch financial schemes red-handed. Their duties include analyzing documentation, watching cash flows, implementing monetary controls, coaching auditors, following GAAP standards, allocating audit resources, reporting discrepancies to executives, and advising on policy changes.

Median Annual Salary: $141,000

Expected Job Growth: 11%

MBA Courses to Add: Internal Auditing, Taxation, Assurance Services, Fraud Prevention, and Data Mining

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3. Real Estate Development Manager

Property sales are booming, especially in India, China, United Arab Emirates, and Morocco, so Grand View Research predicts the global market will surpass $4.26 trillion in 2025. Real estate development managers are land hunters who oversee corporate expansion to new facilities overseas to grow productions. International business MBAs would help map beneficial locations abroad, assess the structure’s soundness, negotiate fair pricing, arrange the lease or mortgage, spearhead needed renovations, hire contractors, and enhance building portfolios.

Median Annual Salary: $111,000

Expected Job Growth: 8%

MBA Courses to Add: Real Estate, Investments, Contract Law, Valuation Models, and Community Development

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4. Marketing and Sales Director

Smart Insights estimated that global marketing spending will top $1.3 trillion by 2020 and at least $79 billion will be for SEO to reach the 75 billion mobile devices. Marketing and sales directors are customer persuaders who run advertising campaigns to diverse international audiences for attracting better purchase rates. These MBA graduates okay press releases, develop promotional activities, set pricing strategy, oversee market research, shape corporate image, collaborate with influencers, prepare sales manuals, choose retail quotas, and monitor competitors.

Median Annual Salary: $114,000

Expected Job Growth: 7%

MBA Courses to Add: Consumer Behavior, Product Management, Advertising, Public Relations, and ECommerce

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5. Government Affairs Director

Hong Kong, Australia, Bahrain, Ireland, and Canada rank among the 10 freest economies on The Atlantic, but most countries have strict corporate regulations with possible penalties. Government affairs directors are legal gurus who guide organizations through the complex labyrinth of rules abroad to maintain compliance. Their tasks include studying local laws, learning cultural norms, evaluating tax implications, meeting foreign trade guidelines, advising the executive team, choosing acquiescent policies, eliminating unethical practices, and reviewing new legislation.

Median Annual Salary: $108,000

Expected Job Growth: 7%

MBA Courses to Add: Business Law, Regulatory Affairs, Policymaking, Negotiation, and Government Contracts

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6. Business Development Manager

In 2015, the Harvard Business Review reported that just 40 percent of companies going global like Toyota, Shell, and Amazon actually reap a return on assets above 3%. Business development managers are expansion wizards who craft successful strategies for taking companies into new avenues to maximize the ROA. International business degrees help identify prospects, select thriving regions, target overseas clients, follow sales leads, pitch service ideas, research industry trends, negotiate profitable deals, suggest equity investments, and nurture partnerships.

Median Annual Salary: $120,940

Expected Job Growth: 9%

MBA Courses to Add: Project Management, Decision Making, Entrepreneurship, Retailing, and Emerging Markets

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7. Supply Chain Management Director

Container ships make an average of 9,000 port calls weekly in 200+ countries for the shipment of cargo worth $680 trillion yearly according to the World Shipping Council. Supply chain management directors are logistical masterminds who coordinate the movement of goods across international borders for product control. Their obligations include purchasing raw materials, scheduling production, preparing cost estimates, tracking inventory, choosing vendors, negotiating shipping rates, overseeing distribution, and addressing delivery errors.

Median Annual Salary: $134,000

Expected Job Growth: 7%

MBA Courses to Add: Strategic Sourcing, Logistics, Quality Control, Manufacturing Design, and Procurement

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8. Business Analytics Manager

Forbes profiled Starbucks for using Big Data to reach all-time high numbers of 17 million mobile app users and 90 million transactions at 25,000 coffee locations globally. Business analytics managers are statistical geniuses who compile this sort of mathematical information today to better inform executive decisions tomorrow. These MBA graduates draw data pools, record sales volume, pinpoint consumer demographics, run analysis software, supervise staff, interpret results, draft findings reports, present insights, and brainstorm performance improvements.

Median Annual Salary: $108,000

Expected Job Growth: 30%

MBA Courses to Add: Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, Quantitative Methods, and SQL

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9. Information Security Director

The World Wide Web sparked 1,579 data breaches that exposed nearly 1.95 billion confidential records in 2017 alone for $3.62 million in average damages tallied by TechBeacon. Information security directors are network defenders who help implement the right precautions to keep sensitive data out of hackers’ hands. Global companies hire them to advance IT policies, install firewalls, conduct penetration testing, strengthen passwords, fix system weaknesses, choose anti-virus vendors, build user awareness, respond quickly to threats, and carry out disaster recovery.

Median Annual Salary: $147,000

Expected Job Growth: 15%

MBA Courses to Add: Cyber Security, Ethical Hacking, Digital Forensics, IT Auditing, and Business Continuity

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10. Chief Executive Officer

Fortune Global 2000 companies are led by well-educated CEOs like Gregory Maffei, Glen Senk, and Susan Ivey, 64 percent of whom hold MBA or master’s degrees according to Poets & Quants. Chief executive officers are corporate conductors who devise the policy direction of multinational enterprises toward success. International business grads would create corporate goals, lead C-Suite teams, appoint managers, direct finances, scrutinize performance, increase efficiency, find cost-cutting options, nurture workplace climate, and inform shareholders.

Median Annual Salary: $196,050

Expected Job Growth: 8%

MBA Courses to Add: Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Change Management, Strategy, and Organizational Behavior

Remember there are many more than 10 International Business Degree Career Options for MBA graduates, such as financial reporting director, quality management director, customer success manager, operations project manager, brand manager, product owner, division general manager, and administrative director, though.

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First-year applicants might mistakenly believe that international business degrees and international relations degrees are the same or interchangeable. After all, each program title alludes to learning beyond U.S. borders for better global awareness. Both certainly involve looking at whole-Earth problems and their unique impact on distinct cultures, but the similarities stop there. Choosing the right one for you is essential because Inside Higher Ed warned that transfers lose 43 percent of their credits on average. So let’s clarify by defining international relations as the study of how global political, social, and religious forces peacefully interact without conflict. In contrast, international business examines how primarily for-profit corporations trade goods or services worldwide. The former emphasizes government diplomacy while the latter focuses on lucrative commerce. In this article, we’ll further detail four major differences between international business degrees and international relations degrees.

Selection of Academic Courses

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International relations degrees from the bachelor’s to PhD level are typically housed in a college’s foreign or public affairs division. The best are members of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA). Most international relations curricula draws from the liberal arts, such as political science, geography, world history, and social science. Expect major courses titled National Security, Immigration, Human Rights Law, Terrorism, Policy Analysis, and the like. On the other hand, international business degrees are obviously available in the university’s B-school. Top-tier programs belong to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). International business curricula at the associate to doctoral levels starts with the general management basics. Major courses like Supply Chain Logistics, Global Finance, Emerging Markets, and International Currency are then chosen.

School Admission Requirements

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Getting into an international relations program isn’t necessarily any easier than a business one and vice versa. Undergrads entering BA, BS, or BBA curriculum only need a secondary diploma or its equal. For example, the High School Equivalency Test can qualify for admission if scored at least 75 overall. Required grade point averages can range from 2.0 to 3.5 too. Nonetheless, the real difference between international relations degrees and international business degrees comes in graduate school. International MBAs mostly admit bachelor’s grads who’ve scored well on the 3.5-hour Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Most master’s in international relations majors need to test their verbal and quantitative reasoning skills instead with the $205 Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Strong aptitude for public affairs is sought instead of years of executive boardroom experience.

Types of Internship Opportunities

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Studying abroad is a crucial component to both international relations and international business degrees, but the internships sought are dissimilar. For instance, The Borgen Project suggests IR majors work with the Council on Foreign Relations, World Health Organization, USAID, Chatham House, Weatherhead Center, Parliament, Carnegie Council, Amnesty International, and other policymakers. Since 1961, many have entered the Peace Corps for two-year volunteer positions in 141 nations. The United Nations also offers six-month competitive placements from Nairobi to Beirut with global programs like the Refugee Agency. Conversely, international business students seek internships at Fortune 500 or 1000 companies who’ve outgrown their home nation. Possibilities might include Deloitte, L’Oreal, Ping An Insurance, Daimler, AXA Group, Sumitomo Mitsui, Novartis, and Telefónica. Like Goldman Sachs has the 10-week Summer Associate Program for International MBA majors from Toronto to Santiago.

Projected Global Career Pathways

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International business degrees often don’t lead to the same types of job offers as international relations degrees either. IB majors learn the legal lay of the land for growing multi-region operations in traditional business careers. Thus, they’re normally applying for careers like export officer, product manager, budget analyst, advertising manager, human capital consultant, logistician, global communications specialist, sales director, and controller. Climbing the corporate ladder to big titles like VP of Diversity & Inclusion or Chief Financial Officer might be the end goal. Yet international relations study best suits foreign service roles helping countries get along. Therefore, their dream jobs could include diplomat, NGO administrator, political analyst, intelligence specialist, translator, foreign lobbyist, immigration lawyer, military officer, or demographer. With apt experience, IR graduates could be appointed ambassadors or even Secretary of State.

Where you can earn international relations degrees and international business degrees is even different usually. It’s no surprise that future international relations experts channeling Madeleine Albright and Henry Kissinger would study elsewhere than aspiring international business CEOs like Bill McDermott or Irene Rosenfeld. The U.S. News & World Report lists Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, Syracuse, Georgetown, and Johns Hopkins among its top IR schools. However, the best colleges for IB Majors in 2018 included Florida International, Northeastern, South Carolina, George Washington, Berkeley, and Michigan. International business programs are also more numerous online on platforms like Blackboard or Canvas for working adults. Now that you know the huge difference between international business degrees and international relations degrees, you can shop for your ideal fit.

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If you are considering the jobs you can do with an online international business degree, consider that your degree could be your passport for trekking into jobs that span continents for stimulating today’s $74 trillion world economy. According to Hult International Business School, IB majors from the associate to the master’s level nurture the adaptive thinking, emotional intelligence, resilience, interpersonal influence, and cultural communication skills to succeed in various management specialties. These abilities are prized because U.S. companies are increasingly expanding operations into Business Insider’s other top countries like New Zealand, Singapore, Denmark, Hong Kong, and Norway. In 2017, most of the 100 fastest-growing companies on Fortune, including Amazon, Ellie Mae, Dycom Industries, and Arista Networks, work across borders. Let’s look into six potential jobs available after completing an online international business degree via the World Wide Web.

Trade Finance Specialist

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World merchandise exports grew from $5.1 trillion to $19 trillion from 1995 to 2014, so need for trade finance specialists with international business expertise is strong. Often holding CITFS certification, these specialists closely monitor markets to ensure companies’ profitable monetary exchange of goods. Trade finance specialists calculate supply chain costs, prepare commodity classification requests, examine import risks, study currency rates, ensure regulation compliance, and suggest revenue improvement changes. On Salary.com, it’s reported that international trade finance specialists earn median annual pay of $88,134.

Strategic Sourcing Manager

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Online international business graduates could become strategic sourcing managers since McKinsey found that three-fourths of companies expect procurement cost hikes in the next 12 months. This mid-level job involves overseeing organizational supply portfolios to ensure production stays gainful with good profit margins. Strategic sourcing managers broker vendor contracts, compare suppliers, create inventory forecasts, train purchasing specialists, conduct cost analyses, determine delivery quantities, benchmark expenditures, and find money-saving solutions. According to PayScale, strategic sourcing managers are compensated a yearly median wage of $89,286.

Government Affairs Director

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Recognized for CNN Money’s 21st best job with an “A” for benefit to society, government affairs directors with online international business degrees can help corporations navigate ever more complex regulations. From the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), global entities need to establish policies that align with current laws to avoid penalties. Government affairs directors cooperate with overseas officials, review passed legislation, enact procedural shifts, and monitor legal compliance. Salary.com posted average annual income of $144,765 for government affairs directors.

Foreign Language Translator

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Earning a BBA or BS in International Business online would include foreign language classes that could launch careers in translation. American Express listed Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Mandarin Chinese ahead of English as the most important languages for business. Translators help companies communicate by using computer-aided tools to convert and edit written documents like contracts into the recipients’ native tongue accurately. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 18 percent job growth for translators who make $51,260 on average.

Global Marketing Executive

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Average marketing spending was 11.3 percent of corporate revenue in 2017 according to Gartner, so global organizations often hire international business degree graduates to maximize the ROI with quality leads. Global marketing executives cross cultural and lingual barriers to attract paying consumers through well-planned print or digital campaigns. They establish advertising direction, capitalize on market trends, nurture brand identity, select marketing channels, network with influencers, and optimize websites for Google. International marketing executives, including CMOs, bring home median pay of $216,434 on Salary.com.

Hospitality Manager

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Earning an online international business degree could end with lifelong vacations for hospitality managers who travel to oversee hotel locations globally, perhaps for Forbes’ biggest chains of Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, and IHC. Hospitality managers coordinate the day-to-day operations of lodgings to give guests from around the world superb stays. Duties include setting quality standards, hiring effective personnel, pricing rooms, procuring adequate supplies, cutting budget costs, addressing customer complaints, and launching new marketing. Salary.com boasts that hospitality managers earn mean income of $104,405.

The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) reported that 28 percent, or 5.8 million, of college students study digitally on platforms like Blackboard and Canvas. Logging into international business curricula online can provide the same career-building preparation with round-the-clock access, location flexibility, greater peer diversity, and reduced expenses. In fact, the U.S. News & World Report found that online programs can cost $35,000 less to maximize lifetime earnings ROI. Accredited online international business degrees are employer recognized for other jobs like e-commerce manager, entrepreneur, export analyst, intellectual property manager, budget director, and lobbyist too.

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Going GLobal: Top 15 Schools Offering Online International Business Degrees

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When toying with the idea of graduate school, it’s important for students to carefully weigh whether getting an international business degree will help their career. If you’re only incentivized to attend because you want to get rich quick, you’re still unemployed, you’re avoiding real life, or your parents are expecting it, grad school likely isn’t the best move. International business MBA and M.S. degrees are serious educational endeavors only for ambitious managers who seek leadership development in cross-cultural conglomerates. Along with the psychological costs of tough 500-level courses and thesis papers, graduate B-school bills $16,435 per year on average. Entering master’s programs with the wrong intentions could leave you in debt with an incomplete degree future employers question. Therefore, review these six motivating benefits for getting a graduate degree in international business first.

Advancing Awareness of Cultural Differences

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It’s clear that large Fortune 500 companies have operations worldwide, but 58 percent of U.S.-based small businesses also have international customers. Language and cultural barriers are one of the biggest challenges of growing global. Fortunately, graduate international business degrees can uplift your career by giving insights into how Mother Earth’s citizens are similar and different. Globe-centric business courses combine with foreign language lessons to transform IB majors into well-mannered, respectful managers abroad. International immersion trips expose sheltered U.S. students to different ways of life to nix negative cultural misconceptions. Graduates are prepared for living in all of the world’s leading economies from Finland to Singapore.

Opening Management Doors Once Closed Abroad

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Getting an international business master’s can undeniably help your career if you’re craving the upper-level responsibility of certain management occupations. Senior corporate officials often hunt for MBA and M.S. grads who’ve gained in-depth leadership, interpersonal, decision-making, and analytical skills for a competitive edge. According to Fast Company, 32 percent of employers have pushed their job candidacy requirements to the master’s level. Studying one to two years extra could be your key into MBA-preferred jobs, including cash manager, management analyst, marketing manager, economist, plant controller, production manager, chief operating officer, and VP of sales. International business specializations are viewed favorably in today’s glutted labor market for climbing the corporate ladder.

Jumpstarting Your Own Multinational Ventures

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Getting an international business degree can also help your career blossom as an innovative entrepreneur capable of running the next Volkswagen or Microsoft. Fortune reports that 40 percent of S&P 500 Chief Executive Officers hold at least an MBA. Top B-schools give IB majors access to startup incubators where their dreams of global success could grow. Studying international business prepares you to tackle multinational venture problems like currency exchanges, foreign laws, corporate structure, supply chain logistics, and political risks. Esteemed faculty can lend unparalleled advice on tweaking your business plans to maximize your launch. Harvard, Rice, Babson, Northwestern, Brigham Young, and CUNY Baruch are among the top grad schools for entrepreneurs.

Augmenting Your Business Salary Potential

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As alluded to before, money shouldn’t be the only motivator for heading to B-school for an international business master’s, but it’s certainly a welcome side effect. In January 2017, Financial Times reported that graduates from the top 100 MBA schools were paid an all-time high average of $142,000. One GMAC survey found that the biggest salary increases are found in services, technology, manufacturing, finance, and health care sectors. Graduate international business degrees often deliver pay bumps of 50 percent or more. For example, IB majors working as promotions managers, distribution managers, and top executives earn average salaries of $117,810, $97,630, and $194,350 respectively. This doesn’t even add in additional perks like bonuses, insurance, and paid travel.

Turning Internships Into Solid Job Offers Overseas

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Moving your career forward means taking classroom instruction from MBA and specialized master’s programs into the real-world corporate office. Getting an international business graduate degree will often require fieldwork abroad with internships of up to 1,000 hours. For example, the Global Partners MBA at Georgia State University integrates internships at one of 50+ partners like GE Industrial in Hungary or YRC Logistics in Mexico. Even the University of Edinburgh’s MBAIB Programme and INSEEC’s International Business Management MSc require internships. Your B-school’s Career Services Department will prove a priceless tool for arranging global placements. Plus, according to Forbes, 60 percent of paid internships turn into permanent job positions for immediate work.

Developing an Interconnected Global Business Network

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The 2017 Poets & Quants MBA Outlook found that 93 percent of employers intend to hire experienced direct-from-industry candidates, but connections are everything. Highly diverse students enter International MBA programs for forming contacts circling the globe. For example, the IBMI in Berlin enrolls learners and faculty representing 85 nationalities! International business grad schools will broaden your network with alumni, faculty mentors, visiting executives, and corporate associates abroad. International business master’s students can join chapters for professional organizations, such as the AMA, SHRM, APICS, and IAAP, based on interests. Getting a graduate degree in international business can help your career by introducing you to the right people demanding your enhanced skills

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What an international business degree costs is one of the most prominent factors students now consider when picking their B-school. Every year, colleges break all-time records with tuition prices rising faster than inflation and wages. In June 2017, USA Today reported that tuition rose by 3.6 percent at the top 50 universities nationwide this year. Despite this, admission has increased by 3.8 million at American institutions since 2000. Students realize that the college benefits of majors like international business can outweigh expenses with better pay, job stability, employability, confidence, and knowledge. Below we’ll help you strategically budget by explaining the average costs for international business education at each degree level.

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Costs for International Business Associate Degrees

Two-year associate programs in international business are frequently the least expensive degree option. Although President Obama wasn’t able to make community college tuition free, the median price is still one-fourth the costs of senior universities. Student Loan Hero reports that associate students pay $3,520 yearly or $140 per credit on average at public junior colleges. Here are a few examples of international business associate programs and their current annual tuition according to the NCES.

• Rio Hondo College (International Business Associate of Science) – $1,360

• Broward College (A.A.S. International Business Management) – $2,753

• Triton College (Associate of Science in International Business) – $3,870

• Mass Bay Community College (International Business A.S.) – $4,808

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Bachelor’s in International Business Program Tuition

Four-year international business baccalaureates are bigger investments in terms of cash, time, and labor. For 2017-18, The College Board reports that undergrads pay $9,970 in-state and $25,620 out-of-state on average at senior public colleges. Private universities up the ante for IB study averaging $34,740 per year. International business bachelor’s majors are also more likely to reside on-campus for mean room and board costs of $10,800. The following NCES examples show the wide-ranging annual charges for bachelor’s in international business degrees.

• University of Nevada Reno (B.S. in International Business) – $7,142

• Husson University (B.S. International Business Administration) – $17,035

• Barry University (BSBA International Business Major) – $28,800

• Messiah College (International Business Bachelor of Science) – $33,180

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Prices for Master’s Degrees in International Business

Graduate school is a steep endeavor for early-career professionals seeking an MBA or specialized master’s in international business. Post-grads are billed $16,435 for mean yearly master’s tuition. This equates to averages of $10,408 at public and $21,995 at private institutions. However, Forbes reports that top 20 B-schools for international business leave median student bills of $102,355! Using statistics from the NCES, let’s look into the annual tuition for four sample international business master’s programs.

• University of Scranton (Online MBA in International Business) – $11,352

• Daemen College (Master of Science in International Business) – $23,208

• University of Delaware (International Business M.S. Online) – $30,960

• Stanford University (MBA in Global Business Management) – $47,331

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International Business Doctoral Program Fees

Terminal doctoral degrees in international business open doors into academia for a hefty price tag. Professional PhDs have a median cost of $20,335 per year. One report from The Chronicle of Higher Education found PhD scholars saddled with up to $250,000 worth of debt! Unless you’re lucky enough to find fully funded programs or graduate assistantships, paying 5+ years of graduate school tuition can be tough. Here are some samples of international business doctorates and their annual cost according to the NCES.

• University of Hawaii at Manoa (International Business PhD) – $15,288

• Northcentral University (PhD International Business Specialization) – $16,821

• George Washington University (PhD in International Business) – $28,800

• Brandeis University (PhD in International Economics and Finance) – $48,507

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Cutting Your International Business Degree Expenses

Financial aid is essential to handling what an international business degree costs. The NCES reports that full-time undergrads receive an average financial aid total of $12,740 yearly. One of the biggest aid sources for U.S. citizens is the government. Download the FAFSA form online to apply with current tax info. Your calculated EFC will determine which federal programs like the Pell Grant or Direct Subsidized Loan and state funds you qualify for. Another big source is collegiate institutions themselves, so contact your B-school’s financial aid office. Universities might have merit-based or major-centric scholarships for international business students. You may be eligible for Federal Work-Study jobs on-campus that lower tuition bills. External aid, such as the WIIT Charitable Trust Scholarship and MillerCoors Scholarship, is also available.

Seeing sticker prices for international business degrees can be shocking, but it shouldn’t discourage you. According to Business News Daily, international business has the 26th biggest ROI. Paying years of tuition can eventually pay you back with six- or seven-figure salaries in global leadership. For example, PayScale recognized the MIT Sloan School of Management for a whopping 20-year net ROI of $959,000! The trick is to chase financial aid opportunities for minimizing what international business degrees cost and maximizing your gains.

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International business is one of the hottest majors catching B-school students’ attention due to the continued globalization of our economy. It’s becoming effortless to find various international business degrees leading to a BBA, BS, MS, MBA, and even PhD. Top-notch schools, such as the University of South Carolina, New York University, and the University of California-Berkeley, are charting new territories in international business education. Programs are also growing overseas at universities like IMD in Switzerland. Studying international business is useful for students who may work outside the United States to foster commerce growth across borders. Let’s review what studying for an international business degree is like before you jump into the major though.

International Business Classes

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Degrees in international business have well-defined curricula to focus on the unique challenges of managing corporations without geographic barriers. Four-year bachelor’s programs typically build on a broad core of business disciplines, such as marketing, human resources, accounting, and management, before going global. Foreign language classes for Spanish, Chinese, German, and similar dialects are often requisite. Master’s degrees last anywhere from 12 to 48 months to immerse students specifically in international business content. Course titles may include global banking, emerging economies, political economy, international trade, logistics, and corporate social responsibility.

Global Experience Semesters

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Business programs wouldn’t be truly international if students remained comfortably on-campus throughout. Therefore, B-schools generally require spending at least one semester studying at colleges or universities overseas. Flying to global destinations and immersing yourself in the local culture and business scene offers unparalleled lessons. International business majors often choose powerful economic juggernauts like Hong Kong, London, Seoul, Tokyo, Milan, Paris, and Dubai. Study abroad students are welcomed into their host country for hands-on learning about intricate foreign business details while expanding their professional network.

Internships with Multinational Organizations

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Simply studying at a foreign institution isn’t the only way to globalize your resume. Many B-schools boost their international business degrees with overseas internships. Ranging from one month to one year, internships are formal work agreements established with domestic or multinational organizations. Whether paid or unpaid, interns enter real-world business environments to put their curriculum into practice. The Annual NACE Survey found that 95 percent of employers say internship experience is a hiring factor. International business internships could place you at Goldman Sachs in India, H&M in Sweden, Deloitte in South Africa, and more.

International Business Research

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One of the prominent components to graduate international business degrees is research. The master’s thesis involves devoting at least four months to independently investigating central business topics of global proportions. Under faculty mentorship, students tackle master’s thesis research to construct a scholarly paper of around 50 pages and orally defend it. For example, international business majors could examine reliable sources to determine the impact of political behavior on global organizations. Finishing a PhD in International Business will require a more in-depth, technical dissertation research paper over 100 pages long.

Capstone Business Projects Abroad

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Instead of a thesis or dissertation, bachelor’s degrees in international business will normally culminate with an applied capstone project. Capstones are semester-long, for-credit endeavors that synthesize your didactic learning into today’s market. Some universities will assign senior teams to consult with real-world companies abroad. Consulting projects with Fortune 500 giants like Valero Energy, General Motors, or IBM would provide valuable experience developing applicable business solutions. Other colleges will require students to craft international business plans for startups. This capstone format compiles strategies used to achieve sustainable growth across new economies.

Future frequent flyers enroll in international degree programs to enhance their global awareness for large-scale business ventures worldwide. International business opens careers that are poised for average 10-year growth at 8 percent. Graduates gain a competitive edge with the above experiences to excel as risk managers, management analysts, administrative managers, trade coordinators, logistics specialists, translators, treasurers, staffing consultants, and more. Bachelor’s graduates receive a mean starting salary of $51,220 and MBAs claim median salaries up to $185,048 or beyond. Consider this in-demand major now that you know what studying for an international business degree is like.

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The Top Fastest International Business Degree Programs

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Enrollment is growing at B-schools nationwide with students seeking international business majors as their ticket into the boardroom in today’s $107.5 trillion global economy. It’s a smart move because more companies are acquiring offices beyond borders to hike profits with multinational operations. According to the World Economic Forum, the globe’s fastest-growing economies are surprisingly Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Nepal, India, Tanzania, and Djibouti with growth surpassing 7 percent each. International business degrees can be impressive résumé add-ons to work abroad, but finding the right B-school isn’t simple. After all, BachelorsPortal found that the United States has 408 international business programs for undergrads alone!

An Explanation of Accreditation

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Carefully searching for international business colleges is essential to assure the quality of education you’re investing in. One of the best determinants of quality students have is accreditation. Institutions undergo routine reviews from accrediting agencies to prove their worthiness in meeting students’ academic needs. Regional accreditation is essential for B-school students to transfer credits, impress employers, earn federal financial aid, and pursue certifications like Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA). Global business accreditation is a similar supportive badge that’s given only to business degrees from the bachelor’s to doctoral level to ensure industry preparation. Check with the U.S. Department of Education database to ascertain whether your international business degree is deemed high-quality with one of these three accreditations.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

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The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is the most elite approval given to the best B-schools. Located in Tampa and Amsterdam, the AACSB International has measured college’s against the highest quality standards since 1916. Currently, there are 796 AACSB-accredited business colleges across 90 countries serving over 3.1 million students. According to Financial Times, 96 percent of CEOs have graduated from business schools with AACSB accreditation. Top research-oriented universities voluntarily submit to in-depth AACSB accreditation reviews that take three to five years. Engagement, innovation, and impact are the three main pillars used by the AACSB International to judge quality. Here are some great international business degrees that feature the prestigious AACSB accreditation:

• Rochester Institute of Technology – B.S. in International Business
• University of Colorado Denver – International Business Professional MBA
• Loyola University Chicago – MBA in International Business
• The University of South Carolina – Ph.D. in International Business

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

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The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) has been the largest specialized business accreditor recognized by the CHEA since 2001. Based in Overland Park, Kansas, the ACBSP has founded quality guidelines for primarily teaching colleges with business or accounting degrees. Chaired by Dewayne Thompson, the ACBSP presently accredits 2,963 global programs at over 430 campuses. Although not as prestigious or recognized by some companies like Intel, ACBSP accreditation does signify teaching excellence. ACBSP-accredited schools are also the only ones hosting Delta Mu Delta Honor Society chapters. Here are some international business degrees that meet the six major ACBSP standards like faculty evaluation and process improvement:

• Southern New Hampshire University – B.S. in International Business
• Liberty University – Online BSBA in International Business
• University of North Alabama – International Business MBA
• Tiffin University – MBA in International Business

International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

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The International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) is the third CHEA-recognized body for technical institutes to voluntarily prove the quality of B-school degrees. Started in 1997 by John L. Green, IACBE uses outcomes-based standards to judge performance and certify “diamond value” credits. Located in the Kansas City Metro, IACBE takes a global perspective to accredit approximately 230 colleges in 20 nations. Most IACBE-accredited colleges are private and career- or faith-focused. Member schools offer unique opportunities like the IACBE Annual Conference and Student Case Study Competition in New Orleans. For example, the following international business colleges have maintained the quality for IACBE accreditation:

• National American University – B.S. in International Business
• Davenport University – International Business BBA
• Florida Institute of Technology – MBA in International Business
• Daemen College – Master of Science in International Business

Beyond accreditation, many factors can be used to measure the quality of international business education. The U.S. News and World Report creates its ranking of international business schools by conducting peer assessment surveys. Scores are given for indicators like graduation rate, academic reputation, retention, faculty resources, admission selectivity, financial aid, and alumni giving. Each quality B-school will explicitly outline their mission and rigorous curricula for pushing students’ learning. Class size can be another good determinant since more attention from esteemed professors will increase the quality of knowledge bestowed. Weighing accreditation along with the above quality markers determines whether an international business degree has a beneficial learning environment.

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International Business Degree Program Rankings

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International business MBAs are a growing phenomenon at accredited B-schools both stateside and abroad to sharpen graduates’ managerial tools for challenges in global markets. Since Harvard debuted its first MBA in 1908, the Master of Business Administration has gained an esteemed reputation as the prerequisite for upper-level management. While critics proclaim that MBAs are overpriced time sucks, evidence does show that graduate business courses can pay off. According to the U.S. News and World Report, international business MBAs earn bigger paychecks for a mean yearly wage of $126,919. As the world’s $74 trillion economy goes global, here are the ways top international business MBA programs can help with job hunting.

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Résumé Builders in International Business MBA Programs

If your résumé is lacking experience, jumping into MBA study for international business can bring jobs into closer reach. International business MBA programs will include at least 30 credits of advanced courses, but they’ll also integrate impressive experiences. Top MBA schools form partnerships with many Fortune 500 corporations, such as Chevron, Dell Technologies, Merck, Nike, and Mondelez International, for internships. That’s particularly helpful since the 2015 GMAC survey showed that 85 percent of companies offer full-time jobs to MBA interns. International business degrees add in opportunities to travel, including to Forbes’ best countries for business: Sweden, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Ireland. Experiences gained from leadership development workshops to consulting projects can add dazzle to lackluster résumés.

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Job Skills Gained with MBAs in International Business

The American Management Association summarizes that the six must-have corporate skills are leadership, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, financial analysis, and project management. Top MBA in international business programs can help you find a job by targeting these skill development areas. Your global-centered courses will get you interacting with diverse business colleagues to sharpen interpersonal and language skills. Collaborating on team-based projects and reviewing MBA case studies will prove your strategic thinking power. MBA schools also prioritize the competencies for delegating, motivating, and coaching staff in leadership roles. Although the 2017 MBA job outlook is better than ever according to Poets & Quants, employers will test these crucial skills during interviews.

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International Business MBA Networking Benefits

Putting your foot into the door for job openings is easier with lots of connections. Top MBA in international business degrees greatly expand students’ networks around the world with alumni clubs. Many B-schools maintain LinkedIn groups and directories with contact information to link current students to gainfully employed graduates. Colleges’ career services departments will have one-on-one advising sessions and updated job boards. Some MBA degrees will offer admission to global events like the AICPA International Business Conference for networking with industry pioneers. Arrangements for guest lecturers and speaker series are common to introduce students to businesses’ CEOs. The best IB schools are also stops for corporate recruiters needing jobs filled.

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Types of Jobs Preferring MBA in International Business Grads

International business MBAs can assist your job hunt by opening career doors closed to bachelor’s grads too. For example, economists who collect data on international market trends need at least a master’s to claim jobs poised to grow by 6 percent through 2024 according to the BLS. Certified Public Accountants need to pass a five-year, 150-hour education mark with an MBA for licensing to earn average lifetime earnings of $7.9 million. Management analysts are typically MBA-trained consultants who improve multinational companies’ efficiency with 10-year job growth at 14 percent. Some of the other hottest MBA careers include financial manager, operations management, compliance officer, data scientist, digital marketer, IT systems manager, investment fund manager, sales director, and chief technology officer.

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Getting your money’s worth from an MBA in international business requires carefully shopping for the top B-schools. While preparing for the dreaded GMAT test, do your research to find international business colleges that will provide the right skills, opportunities, and network for your professional goals. The best international business MBA programs have massive price tags up to $71,580 per year, but financial aid and unparalleled experiences make them beneficial for finding jobs with big earning potential later

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The 15 Best MBA in International Business Degree Programs

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International business degrees from accredited B-schools are one of the hottest tickets into mid- and upper-level management jobs at multinational corporations with foreign operations. From Shanghai to Stockholm, IB majors are building their cultural awareness and language savviness to step into leadership shoes on the global stage. According to Georgetown University’s CEW, international business attracts diverse students who are 58 percent Caucasian, 22 percent Hispanic, 16 percent Asian, and 4 percent African American. As the #2 most popular major for Latinos after biomedical engineering, IB opens doors across borders for median income at $60,000. Developing the creativity, confidence, and clear communication skills for international business takes time though. Let’s review the typical study length for IB programs based on degree level.

Associate Degrees in International Business

Associate degrees are typically two-year programs that require 60 to 70 credits for international business majors to become familiar with fundamental concepts in global economics. High school graduates or GED recipients will spend four semesters full-time taking lower-division courses like business computing, public speaking, world history, management principles, and introductory accounting. Associate degrees nearly always integrate foreign language requirements from Chinese to Spanish. Having an associate in international business degree offers entry-level careers like advertising sales agent or bookkeeping clerk and transfer pathways. Top international business schools offering two-year associate options include Schiller International University, CUNY College of Staten Island, and Grossmont College.

Bachelor’s Programs in International Business

Undergraduate programs leading to Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in international business will generally require 120 to 130 credits. Full-time students who take five courses per 16-week semester can graduate within four years. The NCES reports that the actual average completion time is 52 months though. Bachelor’s students receive greater depth beyond high school diplomas with upper-division courses like global enterprise, international marketing, supply chain management, and intercultural communication. Finishing a bachelor’s in international business segues into higher-paying careers like import/export specialist and potentially graduate school. Top IB schools with four-year bachelor’s degrees include the University of South Carolina, Illinois State University, and Linfield College.

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Master’s Degrees in International Business

Master’s programs are delivered by graduate schools for post-bachelor’s students to receive a Master of Science or Master of Business Administration after 30+ credits. Most master’s IB degrees will take two years full-time or four years part-time, but some faster options of 12-18 months are available for recent graduates. After passing the GMAT, master’s students focus their organizational capabilities for upper-level leadership with advanced courses like strategic planning, global management strategy, and cross-cultural negotiations. Post-grads are primed for chief positions in international business, such as general manager, global sales director, and CEO. Top schools with international business master’s options include Rutgers University, Tufts University, and the University of Florida.

Doctoral Programs in International Business

Doctorates represent the highest echelon of academia for post-grads who complete a research-based Doctor of Philosophy or practice-based Doctor of Business Administration. PhDs are the lengthiest degrees in international business that take at least five years beyond a bachelor’s. Reaching the pinnacle of higher education can require anywhere from 30 to 50 more courses. On average, CBS News reports that doctoral candidates spend 8.2 years finishing the rigorous seminars, exams, teaching assistantships, and dissertation. Getting a PhD or DBA is wholly voluntary for ambitious scholars to become researchers and professors at universities. Top international business schools for doctorates include Brandeis University, Ohio State University, and the University of Texas-Dallas.

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Ways to Accelerate Your International Business Degree

Rising tuition costs can leave international business students scrambling to afford the average sticker price of $20,090 at public, in-state colleges and $45,370 at private universities yearly. To save expenses, college students can find ways to accelerate the above degree timelines. One method is to pick colleges that waive some credits based on work or life experience. Taking AP exams during high school and CLEP tests for college courses could transfer credits with less lecture time. Online international business schools are increasingly offering accelerated courses of five to eight weeks for finishing ahead of schedule. Getting to real-life jobs faster is also possible if you sacrifice summer breaks for year-round coursework.

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Can’t-Miss Opportunities for International Business Majors

Graduating quick shouldn’t be your sole focus though because you may miss unparalleled international business experiences along the way. Accredited B-schools suggest taking time in your two- or four-year agenda to travel overseas and experience cultures firsthand. Popular study abroad destinations for IB courses include Japan, France, Germany, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Semesters abroad could help you bolster your résumé with internships at Fortune 500 headquarters from Royal Dutch Shell in The Hague to Bank of China in Beijing. Special opportunities like co-operatives, consulting projects, club activities, startup planning, competitions, and capstones can also extend your invested time for great career benefits.

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The Top 30 Fastest International Business Degree Programs
The 20 Best International Business Degree Programs Online
The 10 Best International Business Schools (On-Campus)

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International business schools are growing in numbers to prepare bachelor’s and MBA students for competing on a multi-national scale. Since industrialist Joseph Wharton opened the first business college in 1881, more than 16,000 schools worldwide have started granting business degrees. Choosing from the plethora of global learning international business schools can leave interested students more than puzzled. Therefore, we’ve consulted with the U.S. News rankings to outline the six best international business schools where traveling and immersing oneself in other cultures is encouraged.  And since today’s corporations need to tweak their strategies to achieve the highest possible reach and revenue in an increasingly global market, international business degree grads need more than just theories to be successful.

Read more about our selections for the Best International Business Schools:

University of South Carolina

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Ranked #1 by the U.S. News for 18 straight years, the University of South Carolina’s AACSB-accredited Darla Moore School of Business has the world’s second-most research productivity according to the Journal of International Business Studies. USC Gamecocks select from a BSBA in International Business, International MBA, Master of International Business, and DBA in International Business. Global experience is gained with cohort tracks from Chile to Egypt and Hong Kong. Majors could also become IB Oxford Scholars, join the Peace Corps Partnership, intern abroad with Daimler, contribute to the Walmart Sustainability Case Project, and study at Copenhagen Business School.

Learn more about the International Business School at the University of South Carolina here.

Harvard University

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Located in Boston, Harvard University’s AACSB-accredited Business School has delivered an outstanding Ivy League education to 46,050 living alumni, 33 percent of whom work outside the United States. Harvard Crimson choose from a two-year MBA in International Business, Global CEO Program for China, and PhD in Business Economics with an International Management emphasis. There’s also the three-course HBX Credential of Readiness available online. Study abroad opportunities stretch across 87 countries from Australia to Saudi Arabia. Students may also participate with Africa Business Club, launch studies at the Latin America Research Center, intern abroad with Exxon Mobil, and join the Global Think Tank.

Learn more about the International Business School at Harvard University here.

University of Pennsylvania

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Affiliated with 25 billionaire alumni like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the University of Pennsylvania’s AACSB-accredited Wharton School is ranked #3 among the best international business schools by the U.S. News. Within the Ivy League, UPenn Quakers can pursue the BA/BS in International Studies, MBA in International Business, or MA/MBA in Advanced International Studies. Multi-national experience is built via the Wharton-INSEAD Alliance from San Francisco to France and Singapore. Majors could also benefit from studying abroad at Bocconi University, taking the Global Consulting Practicum, conducting research in the Penn Wharton China Center, and joining the MENA Conference.

Learn more about the International Business School at the University of Pennsylvania here.

Arizona State University

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Founded in 1946, Arizona State University’s AACSB-accredited Thunderbird School of Global Management comes at #4 by the U.S. News and #5 for “Quality of Faculty” in The Economist. Boasting over 40,000 alumni, Thunderbird offers Sun Devils a B.S. in International Trade, Online Master of Global Management, M.A. in Global Affairs and Management, or Executive MBA in Global Management. Experience abroad is nurtured with study-away semesters from Dublin to Buenos Aires. Students may also research at the Center for Business Skills Development in Russia, take a Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship, add a Global Marketing Certificate, and become Campus Ambassadors.

Learn more about the International Business School at Arizona State University here.

Stanford University

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Noted for the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, the AACSB-accredited Graduate School of Business at Stanford University stands #5 for international business education according to the U.S. News. Upper-division Cardinals could earn the MBA in Global Management, NUS Executive Program in International Management, or PhD in International Business right in the Silicon Valley. Global seminars offer 10-day trips to Greece, Singapore, Ghana, and more. Students could also join the Stanford-Tsinghua Exchange Program, take workshops in the Bechtel International Center, participate in the Europe Club, attend the Global Speaker Series, and get recruited by companies like Dell or Boeing.

Learn more about the International Business School at Stanford University here.

University of California – Berkeley

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Another chart-topping, AACSB-accredited international business school is UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, which is ranked #6 by the U.S. News. Enrolling around 2,200 Golden Bears each year, Haas has placed graduates in 94 countries after the B.S. in Business Administration – Global Management Concentration, MBA with an International Focus, or MBA for Executives in Global Strategy. Students work as consultants in the International Business Development Program from India to Mexico and Bulgaria. Other opportunities include researching in the Asia Business Center, joining the Boost@Berkeley-Haas, spending a semester at Oxford University, and participating in European Business Club.

Learn more about the International Business School at the University of California – Berkeley here.

Getting your best degree investment will involve searching for the best international business schools that fit your needs. Important factors to look into include AACSB accreditation, student diversity, PhD-level faculty, intimate class sizes, great financial aid packages, curricular freedom, and applied learning for leadership development. Although studying in the United States is popular, don’t let your search be hindered by borders. Some other top international business schools are London Business School, IESE Business School, INSEAD, and Melbourne Business School.

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The Top 20 Best International Business Schools

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International business is one of the hottest majors catching B-school students’ attention due to the continued globalization of our economy. It’s becoming effortless to find various international business degrees leading to a BBA, BS, MS, MBA, and even PhD. Top-notch schools, such as the University of South Carolina, New York University, and the University of California-Berkeley, are charting new territories in international business education. Programs are also growing overseas at universities like IMD in Switzerland. Studying international business is useful for students who may work outside the United States to foster commerce growth across borders. Let’s review what studying for an international business degree is like before you jump into the major though.

International Business Classes

Degrees in international business have well-defined curricula to focus on the unique challenges of managing corporations without geographic barriers. Four-year bachelor’s programs typically build on a broad core of business disciplines, such as marketing, human resources, accounting, and management, before going global. Foreign language classes for Spanish, Chinese, German, and similar dialects are often requisite. Master’s degrees last anywhere from 12 to 48 months to immerse students specifically in international business content. Course titles may include global banking, emerging economies, political economy, international trade, logistics, and corporate social responsibility.

Global Experience Semesters

Business programs wouldn’t be truly international if students remained comfortably on-campus throughout. Therefore, B-schools generally require spending at least one semester studying at colleges or universities overseas. Flying to global destinations and immersing yourself in the local culture and business scene offers unparalleled lessons. International business majors often choose powerful economic juggernauts like Hong Kong, London, Seoul, Tokyo, Milan, Paris, and Dubai. Study abroad students are welcomed into their host country for hands-on learning about intricate foreign business details while expanding their professional network.

Internships with Multinational Organizations

Simply studying at a foreign institution isn’t the only way to globalize your resume. Many B-schools boost their international business degrees with overseas internships. Ranging from one month to one year, internships are formal work agreements established with domestic or multinational organizations. Whether paid or unpaid, interns enter real-world business environments to put their curriculum into practice. The Annual NACE Survey found that 95 percent of employers say internship experience is a hiring factor. International business internships could place you at Goldman Sachs in India, H&M in Sweden, Deloitte in South Africa, and more.

International Business Research

One of the prominent components to graduate international business degrees is research. The master’s thesis involves devoting at least four months to independently investigating central business topics of global proportions. Under faculty mentorship, students tackle master’s thesis research to construct a scholarly paper of around 50 pages and orally defend it. For example, international business majors could examine reliable sources to determine the impact of political behavior on global organizations. Finishing a PhD in International Business will require a more in-depth, technical dissertation research paper over 100 pages long.

Capstone Business Projects Abroad

Instead of a thesis or dissertation, bachelor’s degrees in international business will normally culminate with an applied capstone project. Capstones are semester-long, for-credit endeavors that synthesize your didactic learning into today’s market. Some universities will assign senior teams to consult with real-world companies abroad. Consulting projects with Fortune 500 giants like Valero Energy, General Motors, or IBM would provide valuable experience developing applicable business solutions. Other colleges will require students to craft international business plans for startups. This capstone format compiles strategies used to achieve sustainable growth across new economies.

Future frequent flyers enroll in international degree programs to enhance their global awareness for large-scale business ventures worldwide. International business opens careers that are poised for average 10-year growth at 8 percent. Graduates gain a competitive edge with the above experiences to excel as risk managers, management analysts, administrative managers, trade coordinators, logistics specialists, translators, treasurers, staffing consultants, and more. Bachelor’s graduates receive a mean starting salary of $51,220 and MBAs claim median salaries up to $185,048 or beyond. Consider this in-demand major now that you know what studying for an international business degree is like.

Money is often one of the motivating factors for pursuing international business programs. In-depth knowledge of the social, cultural, economic, and political factors affecting the international business climate is a hot commodity in today’s global market. Multi-national organizations don’t hesitate pulling out the checkbook for savvy B-school graduates with international experience. According to PayScale, the average salary for MBA in International Business holders ranges from $44,698 to $195,743. Of course, you’ll want to strive for the higher end of the spectrum to maximize your earned currency. Knowing which careers offer the best Return On Investment (ROI) can be difficult with such a diversified economy though. Therefore, we’ll devote this article to highlighting some of the top-paying jobs in international business.

Financial Manager

Banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and investing firms are increasingly going global, so there’s a demand in financial management. The BLS predicts that 10-year job growth of 7 percent will create 37,700 new positions. Financial managers can maximize their international business background to protect the fiscal health of large conglomerates. They pore over the corporate ledgers and spreadsheets to devise creative methods to reduce unnecessary costs for better profit. Graduates could further specialize as risk managers, credit managers, or branch managers. On average, financial management jobs glean an annual income of $134,330, or $64.58 per hour.

Operations Manager

In international business, operations managers are the go-to leaders who coordinate the work of various departments across borders to accomplish organizational goals. They formulate the policies and procedures that make the production of goods or services run smoothly. Operations managers make certain that the multi-national company is exceeding customers’ expectations despite cultural barriers. Projected job growth of 7 percent means around 151,000 operations management jobs will open by 2024. That’s excellent news because operations managers are well-compensated with a mean annual wage of $119,460, or $57.44 per hour.

Compensation and Benefits Manager

Retaining top talent is essential for international organizations to gain a competitive market edge. Compensation and benefits managers play a pivotal role in drafting payment structures that motivate employees to stay onboard. As skilled HR specialists, they determine apt health insurance, retirement, bonus, and vacation packages that align with industry regulations. Demand for certified compensation and benefits managers is growing quickly by 6 percent, thus instilling around 1,100 new jobs. Compensation and benefits managers claim one of the top-paying HR specialties with a mean annual wage of $121,630, or $58.48 hourly.

International Sales Manager

Global organizations have an exceptional need for sales managers to direct the activities of customer service representatives across territories. Whether B2B or B2C, sales managers are responsible for analyzing purchase statistics to initiate plans that spark profitability. Most are involved in setting pricing and discounts to draw in a targeted market. International business graduates will find that sales management jobs are growing by 5 percent, so around 19,000 openings are expected by 2024. Competition is strong because many are attracted to the sales manager’s role where the mean annual income is $130,400, or $62.69 hourly.

Public Relations Manager

Foreign language skills and cultural awareness built in international business programs lends well to the global PR arena. Public relations managers are skilled communications specialists who coordinate campaigns that enhance a company’s public image. From drafting press releases to addressing media inquires, PR managers help organizations connect with potential customers of multicultural backgrounds. With the rise of social media, it’s expected that upper-level public relations positions will grow by 7 percent through 2024. PR managers can expect an average income of $119,390 per year, or $57.40 per hour.

Management Consultant

When organizations decide to go global, hiring a management consultant is typical to ensure a successful expansion campaign. These analysts work on a contractual basis to help senior executives find strategic means to boost overall efficiency. They strive to boost the bottom line by cutting nonessential jobs, implementing new tech systems, and streamlining procedures. International business graduates could be the ideal fit for presenting innovative ideas to company heads. Demand for management consultants is rapidly growing by 14 percent. The 103,400 new positions opened by 2024 will offer an average salary of $91,770 yearly or $44.12 hourly.

These are great options, but we’ve yet to unveil the ultimate highest paying job in international business. Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) hold that distinction within the C-Suite. CEOs have supreme decision-making authority over determining overall corporate direction. Public, private, and nonprofit sector organizations globally rely on CEOs to supervise all operational activities. Chief Executive Officers are often widely recognized figures like Mark Zucerkberg, Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates. The BLS reports an average yearly salary of $185,850, but CEOs of large international organizations can claim millions.

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The Highest Paying Jobs In International Business

Gaining a global edge over other B-school graduates is possible with the international business major. International business is a popular path into today’s increasingly global economy because it provides unique perspective on cross-border operations. Top international business schools primarily offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees to equip graduates for unique cultural and ethical challenges when organizations expand abroad. Many programs are based in the United States, but others are offered in conjunction with universities in China, Japan, England, and other large economies. Students declaring the major will better understand the international business strategies used to connect multi-national ventures. If you’re on the fence, the following is an overview of what studying international business is really like.

International Business Courses

Although courses vary by school, the curriculum generally takes the same shape of exposing students to broad business disciplines with a global twist. Bachelor’s degrees in international business will take at least four years to cover general education like liberal arts and business core. Master’s degrees in international business, including MBAs, require one to three years for advanced, specialized management courses. Typically, majors will enroll in courses for international marketing, corporate finance, global economics, business law, international trade, foreign affairs, and supply chain management. Most B-schools will require foreign language courses. Choosing widely spoken languages like Chinese and Spanish is encouraged.

Study Abroad Component

Studying international business doesn’t only happen in the classroom. Accredited international business curricula usually includes at least one study abroad trip. Business schools will arrange travel for students to spend a few weeks or entire semester overseas at a host college. This is an invaluable opportunity for majors to see the world, hone language skills, and develop cultural awareness. Among the top destinations for globetrotting U.S. students are China, Australia, Costa Rica, Spain, and the United Kingdom. International business majors open up their horizons and form lasting connections that could spark job offers.

Domestic or Overseas Internship

On-campus and online international business programs often require completing a hands-on internship too. Internships will immerse you in a professional, multi-national business environment that’s domestic or overseas. You’ll put your academic learning to practice by working at least 10 to 20 hours per week with the organization. Internships may be paid or unpaid and last anywhere from one month to 12. International business students often intern with global Fortune 500 companies like Exxon Mobil, Toyota, Google, Marriott, and FedEx. B-schools help students land placements via their Career Services department. Interns are at the ladder’s lowest rung, but they learn vital real-world industry skills.

International business degrees place students in highly diverse classrooms to foster in-depth understanding on the global marketplace. Your studies could unlock careers like trade development officer, currency trader, regional operations manager, foreign officer, international purchasing agent, diplomat, and even CEO. According to the World Economic Forum, 2016’s most in-demand jobs include sales manager and financial manager. Consider searching for accredited international business schools to find your cross-cultural management niche.

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Prospective graduate students may want to earn an MBA in International Business to gain an upper hand in today’s global market. If that’s you, you’re in luck because many business schools now offer this specialization for Master of Business Administration programs. An MBA in International Business is a two to three year graduate degree that provides business leadership training from a global perspective. The International MBA is becoming quite popular due to rapid economic growth in certain foreign nations. International business graduates are being hired abroad in droves for their multicultural and multilingual skills. Earning an MBA in International Business is an excellent option for beating out competition and building a career across borders.

Typical MBA in International Business Curriculum

MBA in International Business programs are available on-campus or online to lay the traditional business foundation with a global twist. The curriculum usually begins with a general MBA core covering diverse business disciplines, such as finance, marketing, logistics, and management. Then, the cohort progresses into specialized electives rooted in international business. Here MBA students study topics like corporate finance, global entrepreneurship, international relations, macroeconomics, international trade, and conflict negotiations. The MBA in International Business program may require taking a foreign language like Spanish or Chinese for better cultural awareness. Coursework is threaded together to give students the worldview to make wise global leadership decisions for multinational companies.

Classroom instruction is only one slice of the MBA in International Business degree. The 36 to 60 credit program will incorporate short or long-term learning experiences abroad. Top-tier business schools are affiliated with universities overseas for exchange programs. MBA students will immerse themselves in different cultures while attending foreign seminars. The destinations vary greatly for MBA in International Business programs, anywhere from Russia to Spain and Brazil. Some curricula will include corporate internships abroad for resume-building business experience. Like other MBA concentrations, International Business programs normally substitute a capstone consulting project for a master’s thesis. This will expand your portfolio while creating real-world solutions to international problems.

Career Opportunities with an MBA in International Business

Obtaining an MBA in International Business means your job search won’t be confined to America’s 50 states. Graduates can expand their employment prospects into emerging markets like Malaysia, Morocco, and Egypt. The world’s economy showed GDP growth by 3.4 percent to $77.6 trillion in 2014. That means international business majors have plentiful career options based on their interests. One of the most popular jobs for MBA in International Business grads is management consultant. This upper-level title involves presenting recommendations to multinational corporations on ways to boost efficiency. Management consultants earn a lucrative mean yearly salary of $91,770 by keeping their clients competitive.

Job opportunities don’t stop there. If you’re interested in balancing dollar signs, you could become an international accountant, financial analyst, or tax manager. Those gifted with foreign tongues could become interpreters or translators for global companies. MBA in International Business graduates who enjoy logistics could become international traders, buyers, supply chain managers, or operations managers. Attending law school after graduation could equip you for international attorney positions. Other hot international business jobs include PR manager, technology director, banker, economist, import/export specialist, and sales manager. Highly motivated professionals could even use their MBA in International Business to climb the corporate ladder to Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Finding a Quality MBA in International Business Program

Earning an MBA in International Business is a costly investment, especially at high-profile schools like Stanford or Northeastern. Therefore, choosing the right MBA is a monumental decision to weigh carefully. One of the most important factors to look for is accreditation. Colleges offering the best business education are generally accredited by the prestigious AACSB International. These programs are the most competitive, so you may also need to consider degrees at ACBSP or IACBE accredited schools. The U.S. News and World Report survey publishes a ranking of the best MBA in International Business programs. Consult with this list to learn about who’s the cream of the crop.

Don’t only settle for what rankings tell you though. Conduct your own research into each prospective MBA in International Business program. Peruse through the curriculum to see if your desired interests and core disciplines are covered. Inquire about the university’s professors to ensure you’ll be learning from esteemed, experienced practitioners. Cohorts with smaller class sizes are often preferred for greater peer interaction. Call the school’s study abroad office to ask about available learning opportunities in your targeted countries. If you’re earning your MBA online, double check that the virtual classroom is high-tech with user-friendly, interactive interfaces. Doing your homework beforehand can help you select the right MBA in International Business for making your career soar.

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In today’s global business world, an increasing number of U.S. companies are sending their employees abroad to expand into new markets. Hopping on lengthy international flights is now in the job description for many professionals. The International Trade Administration reports that over 32.7 million U.S. citizens traveled overseas in 2015. Planning for trips abroad takes considerably more effort than domestic ones. That’s especially true with rising terror threat levels worldwide. Whether you’re venturing to Europe, the Caribbean, or the Middle East, here are six essential tips you should follow for safe international business travel.

1. Prepare Your Documentation

One of the biggest mistakes international business travelers make is being unprepared. Make certain that your passport is current. If not, allow at least four to six weeks for one to be processed. Some countries will require travelers to apply for a foreign visa. Check with the Bureau of Consular Affairs about your destination’s requirements. Always keep your passport, visa, credit cards, and airline tickets safely tucked in your carry-on. Print out hotel confirmation pages to ensure your lodging is secure. If you plan to drive, also sign up for an International Driving Permit (IDP) because your driver’s license may not be recognized.

2. Research the Country’s Culture

When jet setting across the globe, it’s important to do your homework first. Travelers who stick out as tourists often attract threats, especially from thieves. Pack clothing that’s viewed as appropriate in the host country. Read books about the nation’s culture to learn proper business etiquette. For instance, giving someone the “okay” sign is common in the United States but considered vulgar in Brazil. You can become more aware of these caveats by working with a travel planner or speaking with a local. Consider downloading foreign language lessons to speak with business associates in their native tongue.

3. Listen to Travel Warnings

Protecting yourself by avoiding nations with political unrest or terrorist activity is imperative. Heed the travel alerts published by the State Department. Check to see if warnings apply to any regions you’ll be visiting. International business travelers should stay safe by registering their itinerary with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Doing so will keep you connected to the U.S. embassy in the overseas nation. In an emergency, they’ll launch efforts to assist you and transport you to a safe zone. Make sure you map out the closest U.S. Consulate and record the contact information just in case.

4. Invest in Good Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is purchased on a yearly basis that’s perfect for frequent flyers. What’s even better is some companies will cover the costs for you. Sign up for a comprehensive travel insurance plan backed by 24/7 emergency assistance. Having travel insurance will financially protect you when trip cancellations, baggage delays, and accidents unexpectedly occur. Good coverage will also foot the bill for medical evacuation to the nearest adequate facility. While we’re discussing finances, also remember to tell your credit card providers about your travels. International business travelers may have funds denied if fraud is suspected.

5. Choose Lodging Carefully

Selecting a hotel from overseas can be tricky. International business travelers may make the mistake of choosing lodging in a seedy neighborhood without knowing the geography. Do ample research to find three to five acceptable hotel options. Look for hotels with secure parking in well-lit, populated areas. Pay attention to real-life reviews left on hotel booking engines for insider knowledge. Rooms that are above ground level and away from the front entrance are typically the safest. Forgoing a balcony can also boost security by minimizing entry points. Speak with the concierge beforehand to review the lodge’s safety protocol and evacuation plan.

6. Stay Connected with International Calling

Traveling miles from home shouldn’t mean you’re all alone. It’s critical that international business travelers stay connected by enabling international calling. Talk to your phone carrier about adding an international data plan. Pick a big enough package to avoid costing an arm and leg in overages. Stock your smartphone full of phone numbers to your hotel, airline, host company, and the local U.S. Embassy. Remember to bring an adaptable charger because outlets abroad take many shapes. Learn how to make an international call since dialing country and city codes is required. Downloading mobile apps for real-time GPS location tracking can keep you safe too.

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Disappearing economic boundaries mean that business in the United States is now crossing borders to foreign nations. Having a degree in international business can give graduates a competitive edge in today’s globalized market. Majors in international business are available at the bachelor’s or master’s level to prepare for an increasingly diverse workplace. International business degrees unlock jobs in accounting, economics, banking, import/export trade, customs, government, technology, and much more. Multinational companies have a particularly high demand for management analysts to improve global efficiency. Some international business degree holders even reach chief executive positions for a mean yearly salary of $185,850!

Featured Programs

Online programs can help you climb the corporate ladder by studying from anywhere in the world. Below we’ve highlighted the 15 Best Online International Business Degree Programs of 2016. To form our ranking, we surveyed America’s accredited business schools. We focused on universities with AACSB, ACBSP, or IACBE accreditation. Then we narrowed down colleges based on their online degree offerings in international business. Programs had to be primarily online with limited campus trips. For judging quality, we researched U.S. News and World Report rankings. Only schools with top-tier national or regional rankings were chosen. Next, we used the NCES College Navigator to note average annual tuition prices. Programs over $23,000 were automatically eliminated. Other evaluated factors were study abroad trips, foreign language study, class size, and flexibility.

McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) predicts that the global labor force will surpass 3.5 billion in 2030. From China and the United Kingdom to Germany and Brazil, opportunities exist for professionals trained in international business. Global organizations rely on international business graduates to expand their operations into new, diverse markets. Demand is high, so make the world your oyster by pursuing one of these 15 online international business programs.

Here are the 15 Best Online International Business Degrees of 2016:

1. Northeastern University

Northeastern University is a prestigious private research institution in Boston, Massachusetts, that’s ranked 47th nationally by the U.S. News. The AACSB-accredited D’Amore-McKim School of Business is recognized for the country’s second best MBA in Financial Times magazine. Students pursuing the 50-credit Online MBA can select from eight concentrations, including International Management. Second-year students can participate in an optional international field study residency. Northeastern partners with host universities in China, Peru, and Chile.

Tuition: $21,801

For more about Northeastern University’s Online International Business Degree Programs, go here.

2. Arizona State University

Located in Tempe, Arizona State University is a high-tech university serving over 83,000 students as the country’s 62nd top public school. Featuring AACSB approval, the W.P. Carey School of Business awards an Online MBA with an International Business Concentration. After a mandatory face-to-face orientation, 100 percent of the 21-month curriculum is online. Overseas electives are available in Asia, Europe, and South America. Five years of work experience is required for admission.

Tuition: $10,610 (in-state) or $22,580 (out-of-state)

For more about Arizona University’s Online International Business Degree Programs, go here.

3. Colorado State University

Established in 1870, Colorado State University is a premier, land-grant college headquartered in the Rocky Mountains with America’s 61st top public education. The CSU Global Campus offers an Online Master of International Management program with ACBSP accreditation. Online students complete a 36-credit curriculum to learn the best business practices for multinational enterprises. Specializations range from Finance and Project Management to Strategic Innovation and Human Resource Performance.

Tuition: $9,348 (in-state) or $22,916 (out-of-state)

For more about Colorado State University’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

4. Florida Institute of Technology

Enrolling around 6,300 students, the Florida Institute of Technology is a private, selective STEM-based university in Melbourne that places 161st nationally. The IACBE-accredited Bisk College of Business delivers an Online MBA with a Specialization in International Business. In two years, global-minded students finish the 36-credit degree with no campus visits. Managerial economics, accounting, finance, and marketing coursework ends with a global business strategy capstone. Florida Tech utilizes an instructor-led, video-based online learning platform.

Tuition: $21,690

For more about the Florida Institute of Technology’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

5. University of North Dakota

Ranked 180th nationally by the U.S. News, the University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks to educate over 14,900 students in 200 fields. Fully accredited by the AACSB, the Online MBA program offers a Concentration in International Business. Live web classes are held one evening weekly to complete the 36-credit curriculum in two years. In-state tuition is charged regardless of residency. Students study abroad at the BI Norwegian Business School.

Tuition: $7,044

For more about the University of North Dakota’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

6. University of Scranton

Rooted in Jesuit values, the University of Scranton is a private, Catholic liberal arts college in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains and the North’s 15th top value school. The AACSB accredits the Kania School of Management for an Online MBA in International Business. Online learners focus their 36-credit curriculum on business operations abroad and across borders. Modules will delve into accounting, business law, economics, finance, marketing, and decision-making from an international context.

Tuition: $11,112

For more about the University of Scranton’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

7. Dallas Baptist University

As a private, Protestant liberal arts college in the DFW Metroplex, Dallas Baptist University is named the West’s 35th best school by the U.S. News. DBU has ACSBP accreditation to deliver a 100 percent Online MBA with an International Business Concentration. The 36-credit program builds a global perspective for management in today’s international economy. Online students must complete field service learning for the capstone project. There’s also a 150-credit BBA/MBA for International Business online.

Tuition: $14,814

For more about Dallas Baptist University’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

8. Liberty University

Since 1971, Liberty University has “Trained Champions for Christ” as the South’s 80th top regional college affiliated with Southern Baptists in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty offers an Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration for International Business. This 120-credit, four-year degree has ACBSP approval for teaching cultural protocols in the international market. Minors can be added in Accounting, Ethics, Information Systems, or Strategic Intelligence. Graduates may continue into the Online MBA – International Business program.

Tuition: $20,109

For more about Liberty University’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

9. Indiana Wesleyan University

Crowned the Midwest’s 12th best value, Indiana Wesleyan University is a private, evangelical Christian teaching institution in Marion with around 3,200 students. The accredited Virtual MBA program uses state-of-the-art V-Learning technology for a Specialization in International Business. Online students spend 25 months completing a 36-credit curriculum focused on values-based global business practices. Students become trainees in a virtual-reality company based on an actual manufacturing firm. Flexible start dates occur every other month.

Tuition: $9,265

For more about Indiana Wesleyan University’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

10. University of Minnesota – Crookston

The University of Minnesota- Crookston is a public, state baccalaureate college noted as the Midwest’s 48th best school with the 63rd best online bachelor’s programs nationally. With ACBSP accreditation, the Online B.S. in International Business is available. Students focus their 120-credit curriculum on cultivating a global mindset for trade, manufacturing, and finance. Two semesters of foreign language study and study abroad trips are included. UMC learners travel the globe from France to India.

Tuition: $11,646

For more about the University of Minnesota – Crookston’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

11. Tiffin University

Serving Northwest Ohio and beyond, Tiffin University is a private, co-educational institution with over 4,200 students as the Midwest’s 68th top regional school. Tiffin has ACBSP and European Council for Business Education (ECBE) accreditation for an Online MBA in International Business. In close partnership with the University of Bucharest, the 54-credit program features nine online sessions. Graduates qualify for Ohio Management MR/DD certifications. On average, Online MBA students have 10 years of work experience.

Tuition: $12,600

For more about Tiffin University’s Online Business Degree Programs go here.

12. Texas A&M International University

Based in Laredo, Texas A&M International University is a public, fast-growing institution with over 7,500 students. The U.S. News ranks TAMIU as the West’s 70th best college. Within the AACSB-accredited A.R. Sanchez Jr. School of Business, there’s an Online MBA in International Business. The 30-credit program is available to online learners with an undergraduate business degree. Coursework prepares globally competitive managers who utilize modern, multicultural business strategies.

Tuition: $5,598 (in-state) or $15,125 (out-of-state)

For more about Texas A&M International University’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

13. Southern New Hampshire University

Ranked 131st in the North, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-profit distance learning institution educating over 64,000 students from Manchester. SNHU is listed among Fast Company’s “50 Most Innovative Enterprises.” The ACBSP has accredited the Online B.S. in International Business since 1980. The 120-credit program allows students to graduate in three years with a strong, globalized business acumen. There’s also an Online International Business Graduate Certificate.

Tuition: $18,810

For more about Southern New Hampshire University’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

14. Florida International University

As South Florida’s largest university with 54,000 students, Florida International University is recognized by the U.S. News for the 100th best online bachelor’s programs in America. Backed by the AACSB, the Online BBA in International Business degree gives in-depth understanding on multinational corporations. Students get hands-on training designing 4P strategies for the international market. The 120-credit degree has start dates every Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Tuition: $6,556 (in-state) or $18,954 (out-of-state)

For more about Florida International University’s Online Business Degree Programs, go here.

International business is a dynamic, rapidly changing industry. Completing studies within an international business degree program enables individuals to learn more than just the standard business practices both at home and across the globe. Since many degree options exist within international business, the choice to participate within an international business related specialization is often worthy of consideration especially in economic times like these. Plus any additional knowledge and skills is essential to ensure success within all global business dealings. Each professional within this industry helps to ensure operations run smoothly worldwide. Plus selecting a specialization within international business will provide you with many advantages throughout the course of your career. Here is a quick list of specialization areas within international business to help you familiarize yourself with the different options available:

Entrepreneurship

Even small businesses today have the potential of a global audience rather than simply a local one as it was 50 years ago. Most entrepreneurs today realize this potential, however few understand the ways in which to capitalize on it. A degree in international business with an emphasis in entrepreneurship will provide individuals with the international business know-how required to conduct business at a global level alongside the skill set required to transform an idea into the reality of a properly operating business.

International Finance

Individuals looking to work within finance for an international company should pursue a specialization in international finance. Many people will pursue an MBA of international business with an emphasis on finance to be able to apply for top positions. These degrees allow people to function as qualified financial analysts after learning the ins and outs of international finance. Courses generally include careful study of foreign economies, international stock markets, varying accounting systems and more. Additionally, if you wish to pursue work for a global business, this specialization allows you to understand the ways in which global companies operate interdependently in order to do your job successfully.

International Trade

International trade has become an integral aspect of international business over the past several decades. The world’s leading companies are finally realizing the importance of spending money on streamlining and properly maintaining their importing and exporting processes and procedures. Trends have also leaned toward the necessity to invest in business development beyond a company’s “home” country. Courses such as strategic management, logistics, and global business development are just a few of the areas within international trade that will guide you into a successful career in international business within this specialty.

Interpreter

As businesses expand into new markets, an interpreter is often required. These jobs have expanded greatly over the years. In the past, an interpreter was simply required to speak the language. Today, businesses seek talent who also has a degree in international business. Being an effective interpreter is more than being able to express the words of another. Many times, a word may not exist in one culture to the next; therefore, it is essential to be able to understand the fundamentals of the subject matter to be able to interpret properly.

Global Management

If you are looking to become a top-performing manager in international business, it is essential that you specialize in global management. You will learn all of the necessary skills required to be an effective leader on a global level. You will learn the various ways in which people interact in various cultures, effective management techniques, the fundamentals of all areas of international business and more.

Marketing and Market Research

Successful global business does not occur by chance. People spend countless hours researching new markets and analyzing target demographics. Companies invest millions to determine the optimal strategic locations for product and service expansion. At the same time, people will analyze cultures, effective marketing campaigns, the competition and more to be able to attract the desired target audience. A person holding a PhD in international business and marketing is the most in-demand candidate for such positions as they will have far greater experience in consumer psychology and human behavior.

Marketing/Sales

Becoming a successful salesperson begins with a proper understanding of the business and all business environments in which your company operates. An international business degree with a concentration in marketing will prepare you for the many challenges that arise within the dynamic world of global business dealings. It is important to note that sales is now often paired with marketing as the two have many overlapping characteristics and both yield fantastic possibilities for career success.

A career in international business will provide you with unlimited opportunities. While you pursue your undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degree in international business, consider which specialty you would most like to pursue. Often your ability to specialize your studies and concentrate upon your genuine interests in the field that can distinguish you from the competition.

International business is a typically underestimated degree among business majors in colleges and universities. This is especially tragic for Americans, since they have to learn more and study more diligently than their European colleagues and other international rivals. Europeans are born into the European Union, and among the many benefits this association entails (besides vastly superior health care and healthier, better food) are a natural training and inborn knack at working across numerous borders, in various languages, and with differing customs and cultures. Because of this, where international business dealings are concerned, American firms are often at a severe disadvantage, as they are typically more insulated and one country oriented.

Since other countries and parts of the world do things differently than in the USA, a degree in international business could be just what the proverbial doctor ordered to be more competitive in an increasingly inter-connected and inter-competing world. Gaining the valuable perspective of different trade regulations, understanding other linguistic and cultural differences, and learning multicultural business etiquette will all aide a person in becoming an effective and competitive business person for the twenty-first century globally connected business world. Below are the five most important benefits that your degree in international business can earn you beyond a steady and significant paycheck. We’re counting them down from 5 to answer the ultimate question: What Can A Degree in International Business Earn You Beyond A Salary?

Benefit Number 5 – The Perks of Expenses Paid International Travel

It used to be said, that to see the world, you should join the navy. It is certainly a different world today. You can still see the globe without money, but the smarter, and more lucrative way to do it is through an international business degree. For starters, you may be able to study abroad as part of your business school training. Once you secure a job in international business, you can expect to do a good deal of international traveling to places as exotic as Latin American and the Caribbean, Great Britain and Europe, and maybe even China, Japan, Australia, and the Orient.

When you do this on behalf of an American or Internationally based company, you have the enormous benefit of not having to pay for the trips. Especially in the increasingly expensive world we live in today, free hotels, airfare, rental cars, and restaurant meals are huge perks of international business trips. This is even more true when you consider popular business destinations such as Tokyo, London, Paris, Brussels, or Rome, where hotels alone can break the your personal bank.

Benefit Number 4 – Improved Knowledge of Global Trade Systems

When you do business in other countries, you will come to understand personally the way that trade and regulations work in those nations and regions. Global trade today is a fascinating, and potentially very lucrative, field to be involved in for yourself. If you learn well your lessons about the various global trade systems you encounter, then you may even find the means to strike out on your own one day in your own international business or global trade venture. At that point, the sky is literally the limit to your opportunities.

Benefit Number 3 – Meeting New People from Other Cultures/Countries

Once you embark on your career as an international business degreed person, you are going to enjoy an enormous benefit of the field— meeting new people from other countries and cultures. There are few better ways to begin an international friendship than through doing business with someone in another country. This also gives you friends to go back to visit in those countries again and again later in life.

You will never gain a better perspective on another culture and country than through getting to known a person born and raised there. If you are extremely fortunate, you may also meet love interests and even potential mates through your international business ventures. Talk about serious benefits of interacting with other cultures.

Benefit Number 2 – Scouting out a Future Home Land

You may have always wanted to live overseas, but you never understood if, and how, you could pull off this expatriating feat without tons of money. The truth is that before you relocate to a better paradise off shore, you need to understand at least something about the place that you are considering for your new home. It is true that you might be able to do this through books, videos, and the Internet, but there is nothing like understanding a foreign country through being there and doing business with its inhabitants to get a true feeling for the soul of a given place. Besides this, with a degree and job in international business, you may find doors open to you so that you can work in that dream country in which you have always wanted to live. This is the financially superior way for working class people to expatriate overseas.

Benefit Number 1 – Learn About New Technology and Materials

No matter how much you think you know, there are always new and exciting subjects about which you can learn more. Technology is always on the march, and the glory days in which the U.S. had a comfortable monopoly on new discoveries and advances are long gone. Through an international business degree and career, you can get to see the exciting breakthroughs in technology that the Japanese, British, Swiss, Brazilians, and European Union nations are pioneering with their scientific, technological, and business endeavors and expertise. What’s not to love about international business?

Conclusion

Interested in working in international business? You can get the skills you need by earning a international business degree. Check out our resources that rank the best traditional campus based International MBA programs or if you’re looking for an online option the best schools for international business degrees.

Students seeking an online Business Administration or International Business degree need a degree program that will give them the foundational business knowledge and skills they need to prepare them for careers in a wide range of business related fields. The ten schools on the following list do just that.

These ten schools have rigorous academic programs that not only teach students the textbook knowledge they need, but also get students out into the field to receive hands-on training and experience. The classes in these programs are taught by professors who have a great wealth of knowledge about business and current business practices. This means that the students who graduate from these business programs will not simply know a few textbook business facts; they will be knowledgeable industry leaders who are prepared to excel in a rapidly changing global marketplace.

These business programs are generally affordable with prices as low as $155 per credit hour, and some schools even work with students by offering them flexible payment plans, loans and scholarships. These schools have a reputation for excellence and have received top rankings by several reputable organizations, such as U.S. News & World Reports and TheBestSchools.org. Plus, the online nature of these programs offers students the convenience and flexibility to complete their business degree as their life allows. Each of the follow ten schools is an excellent choice for any student wanting a first-rate education in the global business industry.

Here are the 10 Best Online Business Administration and International Business Programs:

1. Liberty University

A private Christian University, Liberty University has been equipping its students with faith-centered knowledge since 1971. Today, Liberty’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree is designed to prepare students with the business skills they will need in both the domestic and the international marketplace so they can go out in the world as Christian business leaders. Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and tuition rates for their online business administration degree vary from $340 to $385 per credit, depending on whether students are enrolled part or full-time.

For more about Liberty University’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, non-profit university that has spent the last 80 years making earning a higher education more affordable and accessible to everyone. The university’s Business Administration Online Degree program helps students develop the accounting, business law, marketing and leadership skills they will need to be successful in their various business fields. In addition to the base of general business knowledge students will receive, they will also select a particular concentration that is of particular interest to them so they can fully prepare for their individual career paths. Southern New Hampshire University has received regional accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and the tuition for their online business administration degree is $320 per credit hour or $960 per course.

For more about Southern New Hampshire University’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

3. Schiller University

Schiller University was founded as a private American University by Dr. Walter Leibrecht in 1964 after he was so impressed by the personalized instruction he saw in American colleges. Schiller University is part of a worldwide network of colleges, which allows the university’s International Business Bachelor Degree students to receive a truly international business education. Students can transfer between campuses to reap the benefits of meeting peers and interacting with various business systems worldwide. Schiller University has received accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, an organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Program tuition is $590 per credit hour.

For more about Schiller University’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

4. The University of California at Berkeley

A University that is distinguished and well-known worldwide, the University of California at Berkely was founded in the wake of the nation’s gold rush soon after California became the nation’s 31st state. Today, students earning their Bachelor of Science degree through the school’s highly competitive Haas School of Business Undergraduate Program learn the skills they need to succeed in their various business endeavors. Plus, the program coursework is closely tied to the University’s liberal arts curriculum, so graduates have knowledge of both arts and sciences as well as business.  Berkeley University is currently seeking accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Tuition is $12,864 for in-state students.

For more about the University of California at Berkeley’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

5. Florida International University

From its humble beginnings as a single building on an abandoned airfield, Florida International University has grown to become one of the country’s largest universities. Students enrolled in undergraduate International Business Major Online receive a broad overview of information technology and international business principles with an emphasis on disciplines that are essential for workplace leadership and success. The coursework is flexible and the knowledge provided is current, intensive and in-depth. Florida International University’s College of Business has received its accreditation from both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The tuition for Florida residents completing for their online business administration degree is $155.61 per credit hour plus fees, and tuition for non-Florida residents is $333 even.

For more about Florida International University’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

6. Ashworth College

Ashworth College makes it it’s missions to empower students to achieve their education goals, and the university does this through offering flexible, affordable, convenient and relevant degrees and coursework. The school’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program, for example, teaches business students how to integrate marketing, accounting, management and finance concepts while developing their organizational, analytical and leadership skills.  Ashworth College is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council. Tuition for this program varies based on several payment plans students can select, such as $990 per semester when paid in full or $1,290 when paid in monthly installments.

For more about Ashworth College’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

7. Strayer University

From its beginning as Strayer’s Business College in Baltimore in 1892 to today, Strayer University has worked hard to become a school with high-demand programs in fast-growing fields. Today, the Strayer University Bachelor of Business Administration program offers its business students a strong foundation in management theory with the real-world business practice that makes the student’s book work practical in any business, regardless of industry. Strayer University has received regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the tuition for this program is $1,420 per course plus the cost of textbooks, supplies and fees.

For more about Strayer University’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

8. Kaplan University

From its beginning in 1938 to now, Kaplan University has been helping people gain the education they need to unlock opportunities for themselves. In 1938, the university reached out to immigrant families. Today, the university prepares students of its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program with the knowledge and skills they need to be effective and efficient business managers. In addition to their coursework, students also complete a capstone course which allows them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a real-world business management situation. Kaplan University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The tuition for this program is $371 per credit, and discounts are available for military and international students.

For more about Kaplan University’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

9. Colorado Tech University

Colorado Tech places a strong focus on offering industry-relevant degree programs. The university’s business administration degree helps students learn to manage all parts of a business operation in today’s modern business environment. This commitment to education has not gone unnoticed. The Computerworld Honors program named CTU’s Virtual Campus was named “Best of the Best” and the university’s Online MBA program is ranked as one of the top ten Online MBA programs in the world. Colorado Tech University has received regional accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and tuition is $325 per credit hour.

For more about Colorado Tech University’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

10. California State University at Fullerton

Ranked seventh among top public regional universities by U.S. News & World Report, The California State University at Fullerton is an excellent choice for students seeking to obtain an online business degree. The university’s Bachelor of Art in Business Administration degree is a general business degree that helps students learn about the fundamental business principles they will need to be successful in the business world. The California State University at Fullerton has received regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the tuition for their online business administration degree is $500 per unit.

For more about California State University at Fullerton’s Online Bachelor Degree Program in Business Administration and International Business, go here.

Embezzlement is a type of fraudulent theft in which a trusted person wrongfully takes property or funds. The embezzler tricks or lies to the victim while the goods are being transferred, prompting the victim to transfer the goods to the wrongdoer. After taking possession of the goods, the embezzler uses it for his own goals. Examples of this include: a lawyer stealing money from a client’s account, a man or woman embezzling from a spouse, or a financial advisor taking money from investors. Cases of embezzlement range from minor to severe, largely depending on the type and value of the stolen goods.

Safeguards Against Embezzlement

Businesses and organizations implement safeguards to protect their property and money from employees or clients. The separation of duties is a defense that makes it harder for employees to steal because they have to collude to do so. For example, retail stores close with at least two employees: a manager and another worker. The manager counts the money from the registers, and the other worker double checks the count. This count is also matched with the registers’ totals.

Another safeguard is moving funds from an entrusted individual to another unexpectedly or on a regular basis. Some businesses hire accountants who are bonded by an insurance policy, which ensures that the company is covered if the accountant embezzles funds or makes a mistake. Implementing independent audits are worth the investment for companies to check their books to prevent and detect any wrongdoings.

Laws Regarding Embezzlement

Federal and state laws require four factors to be present for an embezzlement charge to be supported. The parties involved must have a fiduciary relationship, which means that one party has to place special reliance, trust and confidence in and is influenced by the other party, who has a fiduciary responsibility to act on the behalf of the party. The defendant has to obtain the goods through the relationship, must take ownership of the goods or transfer it to another party, and has to intend to do those actions.

Chapter 31 of Title 18 – Part I in the United States Code includes the general and permanent federal laws regarding embezzlement and theft, covering sections 641 to 670. Section 641 on public money, property or records says that anyone who intends to take another’s property or money and uses it for his own gain will be fined and/or imprisoned for up to 10 years. If the value of the property or money is less than $1,000, he is fined under his title and/or imprisoned for up to one year. According to Section 644, a banker who receives unauthorized deposits of public funds shares the same fate. In Section 656, a bank officer or employee who steals, embezzles or misuses bank property or money will be fined up to $1 million and/or imprisoned for up to 30 years. If the value of the goods is less than $1,000, he is fined under his title and/or imprisoned for up to one year.

Tax Consequences of Embezzlement

There are also tax implications for embezzlement. U.S. tax laws require that lawful and unlawful gains are included in gross income. The proceeds do not have to be included in gross income if the money is repaid in the same tax year. If the funds are returned to the victim the following tax year, the embezzler may reduce that amount from their taxable income. If these laws are not followed, the embezzler is charged with tax evasion, which involves fines and/or imprisonment as punishment.

High-profile Embezzlement Cases

There have been several high-profile cases involving embezzlement. In the 1920s, Italian businessman and con artist Charles Ponzi became well known as a swindler. Through his Ponzi scheme, he promised clients a profit by buying postal reply coupons at a discount in other countries and then redeeming them in the United States at face value. However, he was actually paying early investors with later investors’ money. This went on for more than one year and cost the investors $20 million. He ended up spending three years in jail between 1908-11, 3.5 years in prison between 1920-22 and nine years in jail between 1927-34 before he was deported.

In December 2008, the Madoff investment scandal was revealed. Bernard Madoff, the then-chairman of NASDAQ, confessed that the wealth management arm of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC was really a Ponzi scheme. His two sons, daughter and brother were employed at the firm. The size of the fraud is estimated at $64.8 billion. Three years after his arrest, he was sentenced to 150 years in prison and ordered to pay $17 billion in restitution.

As much progress as women have made in the workplace the sad reality is that, at least on the international stage, there are still jobs that they are not permitted to do. These barriers are due to a number of factors including: religious, cultural, ethnic, tribal, and others.

Most of the industrialized nations of the world have adopted anti-discrimination and equal opportunity measures in an attempt to close the pay gap between men and women. Laws of this type are carried by such countries as the United States, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Japan, Greece, Denmark, Sweden, Turkey, Finland and Belgium.

Bounds of Gender Equality

There are many reasons for implementing and enforcing barriers to gender equality in business. These are not always matters of direct discrimination due to sex, but are based on practical considerations that have been reinforced in the cultures. These include:

• Education. One of the most important factors in determining the ability of women to work on an equal level with men is education. Plainly put, an educated woman has more confidence, is harder to intimidate and bully. Men in many foreign countries consider this a grave offense. Closely aligned with education is illiteracy, which is as high as 2/3 of women in the developing world. Of course, as women become better educated, their prospects for jobs increases, but this does not necessarily make things easier in the jobs department.
• Separation of Sexes. The norm of separating the sexes is another important barrier to women who want to work in these countries, whether their origins are there or not. The truth is, separation of the sexes acts to reinforce and perpetuate gender stereotypes, which negatively affects women and their ability to do jobs. Unfortunately, even in cases where a woman has the training to accomplish a job, her gender will be a huge negative influence on her ability to earn a living. A good example of this would be a woman who is a physician in a Middle Eastern country. A female physician would only be allowed to work on women, effectively taking her out of contention for many medical specialties.
• Equal Work, Unequal Pay. Many jobs are gender attributed. As a result, job worth has less value. And this is not confined to women in the Middle East. In Europe, for example, despite the fact that many more women are entering the workplace in order to make up for the losses of jobs due to the economy, women are forced to take lower paying and less prestigious occupations. Women tend to work in unprotected industries such as out work and work at home jobs.
• Insufficient Child Care. In many countries of the world, whether developing or not, care of the home and children are seen as the primary responsibility of women. In these countries, it is only after these responsibilities are satisfied that women are considered to be able to work. And when women are entering the workplace despite these limitations, difficulties present themselves when there is the problem of a lack of child care.
• Sexual Harassment. When most people think of sexual harassment they think of sexually based advances, whether they are accepted or rejected. The truth is, sexual harassment is much broader, to include the creation of an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. In the United States these types of actions are illegal, but in other countries, actions that might be considered sexual harassment are culturally defined. For example, an action that might be considered sexual harassment in one country might not be considered so in another country. Another problem is when sexual harassment might be expected, such as is the case in Russia, where more than 71 percent of those who are unemployed are women, and if a woman wants a chance to advance in her job she needs to be under the age of 25, attractive, and willing to sleep with the boss.
• Accepting Assignments. According to a recent study completed by KPMG Peat Marwick, most multinational companies are sending their employees on international assignments in greater numbers than ever, but people who are willing to accept global assignments, especially among women, is not growing at the same pace.

As already demonstrated, there can be great differences in gender equality especially in the role women take, the value placed on women and the amount of respect shown to women. This, of course, has a serious adverse impact on women and their ability to do jobs in these foreign cultures. Research, however, has shown that women can work successfully in cultures where the status of women is considerably lower than in their own.

Related Links:

PRI

International Labour Organization

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is an association that was founded in 1916 by seventeen American schools, among them Columbia University and Dartmouth College, for the purpose of accrediting business schools, which it first did three years later. It states its current mission as being “ to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership, and value-added services.” Standards for accreditation were made somewhat more flexible in 1991 and in 1997 the AACSB accredited its first non-North American school (the École Supérieure des Sciences Économiques et Commerciales, in France). In 2009 it opened headquarters in Singapore, its first regional office ever.

Present Accreditation Standards

The AACSB has set forth a list of fifteen standards by which they operate when deciding to grant accreditation to a given institution, divided into four categories:

• Strategic management and innovation: Any business school that is worth its salt needs not only to have a clearly-stated mission, but also to act on that mission and translate it into the kinds of expected outcomes, for which, too, the business can develop the strategies necessary to reach them.
  The mission must be:
  (1) Appropriate for the constituents of the school
  (2) Able to provide the school with an overall direction to take when making decisions
  (3) In line with the institution’s strategies and approaches.
• Participants: This group covers the teachers, students and professional staff of the institution. Schools should focus on the work and participation of members of the first group since it is these people who help to advance the knowledge and dissemination of the field through the intellectual contributions that they make. It is the duty of the school to prove that the division of labor among the three groups results in the delivery of a favorable outcome in view of its teaching and learning modules.
• Learning and Teaching: For every degree program the school that offers them should both establish goals that are both relevant and appropriate for its content material and set forth criteria for assessing whether or not these goals have been met in a particular instance. It should be realized that areas of knowledge tend to be ever dynamic and changing whereas skills areas remain more or less constant throughout the years.
• Academic and Professional Engagement: A business school exists at the frontier between theory and practice and is in that sense a professional school. It must therefore be firmly grounded in both for the degree program and the scholarly output to be of optimum quality. There can be, moreover, no complete separation of class study from hands-on professional work.
• Within each of these fields there is a fixed set of standards, each of which is numbered, and the website for the AACSB gives, on the page for each standard, a basis for judgment, guidance for documentation and in some cases a definition. For example, the learning and teaching standards (numbers 8 thru 12) concern areas.The AACSB also focuses on Curricula Management and Assurance of Learning: includes definition of learning goals, curriculum, assurance of learning (how to demonstrate that a given student has learned what he or she is expected to learn) and curricula management (“the school’s processes and organization for development, design, and implementation of the structure, organization, content, assessment of outcomes, pedagogy, etc. of each degree program”); basis for judgment: the consistency of learning goals with the mission, goals and expected outcomes of the institution and the extent to which they reflect both “currency of knowledge” and the expectations of stakeholders, including policy makers and organizations at which current students and alumni are employed; guidance for documentation: descriptions of how goals may be determined and if necessary revised; list of the goals for each degree program; evidence of interactions of the faculty with each other and with the staff members; portfolio of evidence showing that a student has lived up to all of the learning goals for each degree program in which he is enrolled
• The AACSB also has a separate set of standards for the accreditation of accounting schools. There are nine of these, each designated A1 thru A9.
  

  How A School Become AACSB-Accredited

  A school must prove its eligibility for accreditation, after which the staff of AACSB work with them to develop a Standards Alignment Plan. A fresh review is made every five years based on each educational institutions evaluations in the following areas:

• Curriculum content
• Student-faculty interactions
• Degree program educational level
• Structure and equivalence
• Teaching effectiveness
• Accounting standards

Cyber crime is the criminal enterprise of our age. In the same way that the Cold War feared spying by enemy agents and the turn of the last century was terrified of anarchist bombings, cyber crime has come to define what it is that we are most afraid of. Perhaps most prominent of the varieties of these crimes is corporate cyber crime, which by some reports costs billions of dollars every year. But we are often very afraid of things we don’t understand, so why don’t we take a look at what corporate cyber crime actually is.

Corporate Cyber Crime Definition

Cyber crime is leveraging the power of the internet in order to defraud, spy on, or otherwise violate the private systems of other individuals. Corporate cyber crime is focused specifically on large companies and trying to gain access to their systems for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons include attempting to gain access to proprietary data like formulas for products, whether it be a new medication or simply how they make Coca-Cola, trying to access business plans and intended corporate strategies, attempting to gain personal information about employees of the company, or trying to maliciously alter data for one reason or another. Having access to a corporate database gives a hacker amazing amounts of power to do incredible damage with little more than erasing a file or changing a few numbers.

Methods of Cyber Criminals

While there are highly technical ways of gaining access to corporate systems, the most common ways are fairly low tech in their method, if not necessarily in their execution. Since the beginning of spying, those involved in espionage have relied primarily on their ability to convince people who have access to sensitive information to give the spies access as well. Modern cyber criminals do much the same thing, but they do it online and usually in exchange for passwords. There are three primary ways in which this is accomplished.

• Security Breaches – Hackers use their social skills and charm in order to convince an employee to simply give them the access they want. Sometimes this is just by trying to make a friend, sometimes it involves threats or blackmail, and sometimes it comes with the promise of rewards for the person inside. Regardless, this is merely them speaking to the right person in the right way.
• Spear Phishing – this method involves using other forms of access to gain greater access. A hacker who has already broken into somebody’s email can then send a message to somebody else, pretending to be the owner, and convince them to give up sensitive information.
• Social Media Fraud – This comes in a variety of different forms. It can be a method of one of the above two types, or it can also mean accessing a person’s social media account, doing research on them, and trying to determine what sorts of passwords or security keys they might employ.

There are also a number of security holes in any operating system or connection client. In a system that is designed to communicate to outside actors, it’s sometimes very difficult to make sure that all of the extra access methods that creates are closed. Techniques like packet sniffing can also be employed, where somebody can “watch” the data being transferred over a wireless network and pick out important information.

Methods of Preventing Corporate Cyber Crime

There are a number of methods that corporations use in order to try to avoid these types of breaches. First of all, they usually will use a Unix based system for most of their networking. While employing this form of operating system with every computer in the company would be even more secure, they are often difficult to use, so companies are forced to provide Windows or Mac machines instead. They also employ cyber security teams to keep an eye out for potential security holes.

Something that many companies have started doing is putting highly sensitive information on closed networks with no access to the outside world so that enterprising cyber criminals have to be physically present to access them.

More than that, though, companies are starting to require that their employees undergo training designed to help them recognize when a hacker is trying to manipulate them into sharing company secrets and what they should do if this happens. More than anything, humans are the easiest piece of any security plan to exploit, so arming them with knowledge can help to significantly reduce a hacker’s chance of getting what they want.

These types of attack don’t happen often, but it only takes one breach to be devastating. That’s why it’s so important that companies take cyber crime seriously.

The exciting world of international business beckons the brightest minds and sharpest business performers to excel in relationships, governance, and financial acuity in order to create a better future for all people. World changers need spaces in which to gather to share ideas, spur one another on, create relational opportunism, mingle with industry and governmental leaders, and dream of advanced systems to enhance our daily lives. Many such venues exist but it’s not always easy to know which ones with which to associate. This article discusses key places for the entrepreneur to consider.

A plethora of international business organizations exist to promote education and facilitate business transactions around the world. The following organizations are among the most active and well known. Whether you are a business person transacting international business or a student looking to learn and eventually get in on the action, these organizations will open the door to your forward-looking international worldview.

1. World Trade Organization

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the premier worldwide group geared toward the politics of international trade. Government officials meet together within the WTO context to negotiate trade agreements and negotiate the politics of international business. The WTO receives significant media attention while also proactively publishing data related to accessing international markets. Check out their annual World Trade Report for research, analysis, and featured member nation stories.

The WTO’s student-friendly approach contributes internships, a youth ambassador program, and essay awards for young economists in the hope of promoting business and friendship for young international professionals. The newly created Youth Ambassador Programme gives young leaders a voice at the international trade table to offer their unique opinions and perspectives. The internship program for post-graduate university students develops knowledge, understanding, and experience in global trade policy and compliance. Internships can last up to 24 weeks and take place exclusively in beautiful Geneva, Switzerland. Interns also receive a stipend.

2. International Chamber of Commerce

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) promotes world business by providing forums, leadership development, and advocacy for nations who desire for their citizens to enjoy a higher global standard of living while living in a world of peace. The ICC conducts training events, arbitration conferences, financial summits and numerous other programs to promote their agenda of building peace and prosperity on earth.

ICC online training modules expose students and business professionals to certification level expertise developed as ICC constituents intermingle on the world stage at G20 Summits and United Nations forums. The ICC maintains policy commissions in the areas of the digital economy, competition, the environment and energy policy, intellectual property, and taxation, among other topics. Dispute resolution, antitrust compliance, international sales contracts, arbitration provision and anti-crime initiatives are just a sampling of the services proffered by the International Chamber of Commerce.

Students can benefit specifically with the Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF). YAF is a place for young professionals to learn from seasoned international practitioners about issues related to arbitration and arbitration career development. Events are held regularly all around the world.

3. International Association of Business Communicators

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a networking association for communication professionals. The IABC promotes professional development and communication standards worldwide. They tout a membership of 15,000 professionals in over 80 countries.

4. International Business Organization

The International Business Organization (IBO) is a group that serves the international community who wants to do business in or immigrate to the United States of America with a special purview related to the state of Florida. The IBO can assist with real estate information, immigration services, health insurance, and unique networking contacts.

5. The Federation of International Trade Associations

The Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA) is an online clearinghouse of 8,000 international trade Web sites. FITA is comprised of 450 association members and 450,000 linked company members. FITA brings together trade agents, distributors, and service providers that contribute toward import and export activities. Their market research tools and leads increase the capacity of members to conduct international trade ethically and legally.

Check out their Web site tools of the trade including customs and tariffs, intellectual property rights, trade barriers, logistics, and more. This fully-orbed research driven site will help you to determine, among other things, how to import horses into China, how to franchise overseas, how to fight against fraudulent individuals in Nigeria, and how to invest in Afghanistan.

The IBO Web site provides country profiles for more than half of the nations of the world. Profiles contain demographics, country overview, currency and communications information, and basic economic data.

6. The World Technology Network

The World Technology Network (WTN) brings innovative individuals together from the science and technology communities to share ideas, discover synergies, and create momentum within the realm of emerging technologies. Add in financiers and futurists and the organization builds capacity for creating roadmaps into the rest of the 21st Century. The community also includes marketers, writers, entrepreneurs, government officials, and policy analysts – people who are bent on creating dynamic systems to enhance world productivity and efficiencies.

WTN’s headline event, The World Technology Summit & Awards ceremony, has taken place annually for twelve years. Awards are presented in the following categories: arts, biotechnology, communication technology, design, education, energy, entertainment, environment, ethics, finance, health and medicine, IT hardware, IT software, law, marketing communications, materials, media and journalism, policy, social entrepreneurship, and space. Awards are presented in these categories to both individuals and corporations who best represent WTN goals and ideologies.

7. International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education

The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) is a professional accrediting organization related to business education. They promote business educational standards and opportunities for students and the professional educational community. Members include colleges and universities who are committed to strengthening business educational capacities worldwide.

IACBE member services range from mentoring and consulting platforms to the Journal for Excellence in Business Education. The International Business Education Consortium enables members to share curriculum ideas, provide fresh experiences for business students, create international teaching opportunities for faculty, and establish new revenue tuition streams for member institutions.

8. International Executives Association

The International Executives Association is an elite type networking group for companies and their respective top level employees. Their focus on inspiration and camaraderie refreshes business executives enabling them to prosper as they share business leads and referrals with one another. Most local chapters are located in Canada and the United States.

9. Business Council for International Understanding

Started in 1955 as an initiative by President Dwight Eisenhower, the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) exists to foster dialogue among world business and political leaders. The BCIU organizes trade mission tours for cross-fertilization of business opportunities both internationally and domestically-hosted, roundtables for senior executives and politicians, and private meetings for high level officials of influence. A commercial training program geared toward embassy personnel and diplomats-in-training shows the diplomatic community how to promote business interests wherever they serve in the world by understanding the local business conditions and applying international standards for success. BCIU meets annually in New York for an awards gala.

BCIU provides fascinating internship opportunities for college juniors and seniors to obtain experience in both private sector and governmental contexts. Responsibilities include database management, research, writing, and communications. A key benefit is networking with interns from different cultural backgrounds.

10. Coalition of Services Industries

The Coalition of Services Industries (CSI) represents the needs for the service industries in the United States, industries such as banking, hospitality, logistics, telecommunications, and insurance. They also promote international policies that will benefit these industries seeking to develop business worldwide. Special working groups have developed around the themes of financial services, insurance, telecommunications, media, and information technology. In addition, groups focus on the emerging economies of China and India.

Take the time to explore these organizations and you’ll see a world that contains unlimited possibilities. Determine what it is that you are looking for and then narrow down your search based upon geography, association fees, personal and professional goals, membership opportunities and requirements, and the capacity for association members to influence you to influence your sphere of the world.

Choosing between an associate’s degree in international business and a bachelor’s degree in international business is a question that is best decided when a student knows the differences between the two degrees. While the major distinction has to do with the amount of time that a degree requires to earn, a bachelor’s degree also offers more education, and students can enjoy a well-rounded liberal arts program.

An associate’s degree in international business usually takes about two years to complete, but the total amount of studies depends on a number of factors. People who take part-time classes may need more than two years, and those who accelerate their education with a full schedule may have their associate’s degree in less than two years. In addition, any transferable credits that a student has earned will also affect the length of time that is required to earn a degree. Students can expect to learn the basics behind management in an international business environment and may take courses that focus on economics, business law, and accounting. To ensure that graduates have outstanding interpersonal communication skills, courses in an associate’s degree program usually cover the foundations with English, math and rhetoric classes.

Basically, an associate’s degree gives students a firm grasp on their field of study. While the degrees do not offer the same knowledge that is found in a bachelor’s or master’s degree, many students use their diploma and find a job as a purchasing agent, sales representative, or manager. In addition, once a person has earned their first degree, it takes less time to graduate with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

A bachelor’s degree in international business usually takes four years of studies at an undergraduate institution. Students can expect a chance to acquire the same knowledge that is offered with an associate’s degree in their first two years. After this, many international business students fine tune their education and choose electives that are ideally suited to a particular career track. Classes in accounting, finance and business law are made for graduates who want to enter the management field. Some schools even offer an internship during a student’s final year, and potential graduates can gain the hands-on experience that is crucial for real-world success.

Creating a business plan is another feature that usually sets a bachelor’s degree apart from an associate’s degree. The plans are essential in the international business world because they help companies create a vision that is designed to help them succeed and attract venture capital. International business plans need to include a company’s competitors, and graduates can use this information to find niche markets that offer profitable revenue streams.

Because a bachelor’s degree is needed before a student can earn their master’s degree, it is also a great stepping stone for professionals who are interested in boosting their earning power. While a number of positions are readily available for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in international business, many of the top-paying jobs are only given to those with an advanced degree, like a master’s of business administration or a master’s degree in international business. With a bachelor’s degree, students can expect to find jobs in the accounting, management and research fields while students who earn their master’s degree can work towards a position as an executive for a large multi-national corporation.

Simply put, a person should make sure that they choose the right international business program for their needs, timeline and budget. The best thing about earning an associate’s degree is that a student can use their credits and work towards obtaining their bachelor’s degree later on. Because so many companies offer paid training, many graduates find a job in the field and take part-time classes during their spare time to work towards a bachelor’s degree.