Global Business

Global Business is offered as a second major program of study only.  This second major combines global business courses with language training and a study abroad experience to qualify students for management positions in the diverse, multicultural, and global environment they will encounter in the future.  A second major in Global Business serves as a competence and skill amplifier for business students, complimenting their primary business major (i.e., accounting, business administration, finance, management, marketing, and management information systems).  Students with this second major distinguish themselves in ways that they develop functional competencies from their primary business major and are prepared to lead and perform in multicultural and global business contexts through their second major.  The Global Business major enhances students’ ability to operate in global business environments, appreciation for different cultures, and business knowledge pertaining to international arenas.   

Background Information

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) accredits the undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Business at North Dakota State University.  Our College of Business is one of only two AACSB-accredited schools of business in North Dakota.

AACSB International is one of higher education’s most prestigious and rigorous accrediting bodies, emphasizing a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, engagement, and impact in business education.  Less than 10 percent of business programs worldwide have this accreditation, highlighting the academic excellence of our College of Business at NDSU.

The Program

Global Business is a second major, which may only be added to a primary major from the College of Business (i.e., accounting, business administration, finance, management, marketing, or management information systems). The curriculum of this major is designed to prepare students to survive and thrive in today’s global and multicultural work environment. This is achieved through global learning, both in the domestic classroom and through study abroad opportunities around the world. The focus is to help develop more globally minded students who can communicate effectively across cultures, who are more open to diversity, who become more inter-culturally proficient, and who are aware of business issues in the international arena. The global business second major requires students to have at least 3 credits of study abroad and 2^nd –year language proficiency in addition to a group of internationally oriented business electives. To complete the program requirements of Global Business as a second major, students need to complete the requirements of both the global business major and their primary business major.

Selective Admission

Students who wish to study global business at NDSU enroll as pre-professional students of their primary major in the College of Business for the first semester of their freshman year.  Students then apply for admission to the professional program after completing the pre-professional courses required for professional program admission, including ENGL 120, COMM 110, MATH 144, ECON201 or 202, and PSYC 111 or SOC 110, and declare Global Business as their second major.  Transfer students with appropriate course work also may apply. 

Admission to the professional program is based on the successful completion of the pre-professional course requirements and a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.

The Faculty

To provide a rigorous and relevant educational experience to our students, faculty in our program are highly qualified to teach in their respective areas of expertise. Our faculty have been recognized for their teaching excellence by their students and colleagues and for their outstanding research by their peers. They employ a wide variety of instructional techniques and embed both classical and cutting-edge knowledge into their classes.  They remain current in their fields by actively engaging in research and/or with firms and business professionals regarding their business practice, challenges, and issues. 

The Practicum

Students are encouraged to complete practicum experiences, ideally at the end of sophomore and junior years.  The practicum is designed to enable our students to connect business concepts learned in the classroom with live business situations and to broaden their horizons beyond the classroom setting.  The practicum also gives students a competitive edge in job placement.  

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a second major in global business in addition to their primary business major (i.e., accounting, business administration, finance, management, marketing, or management information systems) have career opportunities in business, industry, government service, and the non-profit sector, both regionally and globally.  Initial employment opportunities are likely tied to their primary business major with global business competencies serving as their distinctive career enhancer.

The College

In addition to global business major, the College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, business administration, finance, management, marketing, and management information systems.  The College of Business also offers five graduate programs including Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy, Master of Managerial Logistics, Master of Transportation and Urban Systems, and Doctorate in Transportation and Logistics.

High School Preparation

It is recommended that high school students interested in studying global business at the university level take mathematics courses at least through pre-calculus.  High school electives in the social sciences, communication, and English also would be of benefit.  Students who have satisfactorily completed Advanced Placement courses in Calculus, Economics, English, Communication, and Psychology or Sociology may directly apply for admission to the professional program.  Please speak with a professional advisor for more information.