BS in International Business
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Program Overview
Getting connected
Kathy McAfee gives introduction tips to Quinnipiac University graduate student Latisha Wilson during a speed networking session Friday, April 15, 2016, at the Connecting Women Breakfast Forum at Burt Kahn Court on Quinnipiac's Mount Carmel Campus.
International business is a vast field with numerous opportunities. As a graduate of our program, you may find yourself the international sales manager at a U.S. technology company, or managing the global supply chain for a major defense contractor. Your background could just as easily land you at a foreign embassy in Washington D.C., where you may work with companies interested in increasing their international trade. Wherever you envision yourself, a degree in international business puts you on the path to an exciting and rewarding career.
Corporations, nonprofits and government agencies both in the U.S. and abroad need talented professionals with a knowledge of global markets and business trends, as well as the cultural sensitivity to work in diverse business environments. Our program teaches you how to effectively work with diverse populations, while building a strong foundation in international finance and marketing, global supply chains, international management strategy and international data sources.
Graduates of the program move on to careers in a range of specialties including, but not limited to: global supply chain management, marketing research, business development, financial analysis and business consulting.
As an IB major, you will have the opportunity to complete full semester (fall, spring, summer) and/or short-term (1-3 weeks) study abroad programs. This experience will help you to develop cultural sensitivity and better understand the history, politics, business practices and culture of a specific region. Many students complete an internship while studying abroad in such countries as Italy, Argentina, China and Japan. In addition, IB majors can also choose to complete a global supply chain certificate.
Collaboration with local businesses, as well as major firms in neighboring New York City, allows you to apply the knowledge you’ve gained in a real-world setting. Internships with companies such as Aetna, Johnson & Johnson, Deloitte, Sikorsky and Perrier provide you with further experience and opportunities to network.
Student Research Conference
Research that crosses borders
The 7th annual Sigma Xi Student Research Conference, held on April 26, 2018, gave four students at Quinnipiac the opportunity to develop cross-cultural research projects in areas that piqued their academic and professional interest. After their submissions underwent a lengthy review and selection process, students defended their work to an audience of faculty judges from a range of scientific disciplines.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Ryann Glushek ’20. Glushek’s goal is to earn her JD and MBA en route to a career as a legal consultant for multinational corporations.
Head of the class
Ryann Glushek ‘20, international business major, presented her research poster at the Sigma Xi conference.
Other research study presentations included “Antecedents of Political Terrorism: A Multinational Study” authored by Pavel Aragon ‘18; “Cultural Influences on Contract Enforcement: A Multinational Study” authored by Ryann Glushek ‘20; “A Multinational Study of Culture’s Impact on Gender Equality and Women’s Entrepreneurial Activity” authored by Cristiana Kamais ‘19; and “Environmental and Cultural Values Impact on Country Happiness; A Multinational Study” authored by Megan Winagle ‘18.
Sigma Xi, the international honor society of science and engineering, is one of the world’s oldest and largest scientific organizations. In its 125-year history, more than 200 Nobel Prize winners have called themselves members. The Sigma Xi Student Research Conference enables students to cultivate a multinational perspective, significantly increase their research capabilities and enhance their public speaking skills, among many other benefits.
“The presentation was good practice for public speaking and defending my argument,” Glushek said. “I was asked plenty of questions that had me defend my findings, the same way I would have to defend myself in a courtroom.”Ryann Glushek ’20International Business student
Student Spotlight
One student’s passport to the world of business
For Jenna Braca ’17, MBA ’18, gaining global perspective was central to both her undergraduate and graduate academic experiences. In 2015, the accelerated dual-degree (3+1) student completed a marketing internship at Tasly Pharmaceuticals in Tiajin, followed by an internship as a credit analyst at TD Bank in New York in Summer 2016. She also studied abroad in Florence, Italy, and traveled to 13 other countries in Spring 2016.
”I had the opportunity to travel to four continents,” Braca said. ”I've managed to learn so much about the world and myself.”
Intercontinental traveler
Jenna Braca '17, MBA '18, had the opportunity to travel to 13 countries on four continents through internships and Quinnipiac's Study Abroad Program.
An internship at Quinnipiac’s Central European Institute in Fall 2017 enabled Braca to continue working in cross-cultural environments while she earned her MBA. There, she utilized her creative problem-solving skills to help Hungarian companies enter the U.S. market.
”I really enjoyed my time with the CEI, and I’m excited to continue my work with the program,” she said.
As she finishes her accelerated dual-degree (3+1) program, Braca is confident that all of her professional growth and exposure will unlock career opportunities, both at home and abroad.
”I know that I will be able to use my experiences working with international companies in my future career.”
Alumni Spotlight
The man behind the leaf
After earning his BA in international business, Nicholas Melillo ’00 set out on a journey that would take him from managing a small tobacco shop to running the largest cigar factory in Nicaragua and eventually to launching his own company in 2015.
Melillo’s company, Foundation Cigars, has experienced tremendous success in a short amount of time. It made Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 list in its first year, and its premium, hand-rolled cigars can be found in smoke shops all over the world. For Melillo, this is just the beginning.
”I want to keep growing my company, but I want to do it the proper way,” he said. ”Quality and consistency will always be a crucial part of that.”
To ensure this level of quality, Melillo splits his time between Esteli, Nicaragua, where his home and factory are located, and his office and tobacco farm in Windsor, Connecticut. Whatever time zone he happens to be in, he is hard at work. Running an international company is incredibly challenging. Rising to the top of a craft industry presents an even greater challenge. Melillo couldn't imagine a better livelihood.
”Every day I get to combine my two great passions; cigars and business.”
Alumni Spotlight
Photo Gallery
Nicholas Melillo ’00 shows us around his tobacco farm for his cigar company, Foundation Cigars
With the burros
Air-curing tobacco typically takes place in a barn where it is allowed to dry for a period of 4-8 weeks.
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Photograph
Making an impact
Quinnipiac University alumnus Italo Alves is photographed outside 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan where he worked as a consultant in the Global Treasury Advisory Services practice at Deloitte. Alves, a 2015 international business graduate from Brazil, was selected for the Schwarzman Scholars program, a one-year master's degree program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Faculty Spotlight
Highly placed
Mohammad N. Elahee joined Quinnipiac in 1999. He has a PhD from the University of Texas Pan American, an MBA from the University of New Brunswick, Canada, and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Dhaka-Bangladesh.
Professor receives Fulbright Scholar Award
Mohammad N. Elahee of Hamden, professor of international business at Quinnipiac University, will teach and conduct research in Jordan next semester. His work will be funded with a Fulbright Scholar Award from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
In February, Elahee will travel to Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, where he will teach a graduate course and join a Jordanian colleague in conducting research on “Negotiating in a Globalized World: Views from Jordan.” They will examine the relationship among culture, emotional intelligence and ethical negotiation behavior.
Their study will look at the affects culture and emotional intelligence have on negotiation planning, negotiation posturing, information gathering and the use of pressure tactics to achieve desired goals in intra-cultural and cross-cultural negotiations. In addition, they will study related areas, including the importance of face-saving in the Arab culture, patterns of concession making, and the proclivity for renegotiation after signing an agreement. They also will examine the influence, if any, of demographic factors, including age, gender, level of education and income on the Jordanian negotiation style.
“This award will allow me to expose Jordanian graduate students to the best practices of the U.S. higher education system,” Elahee said. “At the same time, I also will get the opportunity to learn more about this region of the Middle East and North Africa and share that knowledge with my American students upon my return.”
“I am immensely happy to receive this prestigious award. Being able to represent the United States as one of its academic scholars and cultural ambassadors is a dream come true for me, especially given the fact that I am an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen only a few years ago.”Mohammad N. ElaheeProfessor, International Business
Career Development
Global career guidance
Working in an international landscape brings with it challenges that our Career Development team are here to help guide you through. Through a variety of internships, networking opportunities and access to recruiters from corporations on local and global scales, we help prepare you for a successful career.
Visit our Career Development page to learn more about the many opportunities we offer, here on campus and throughout the entire world.
Career Development
Career advice
Senior Qaisha Closeil gets advice on her resume during the career boot camp in Burt Kahn Court.
Curriculum and Requirements
BS in International Business Curriculum
The BS in International Business requires the completion of 122 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business Core Curriculum | ||
| Complete the Business Core Curriculum | 43 | |
| University Curriculum | ||
| Complete the University Curriculum for School of Business | 34 | |
| International Business Core | ||
| IB 313 | International Marketing Research | 3 |
| IB 324 | Negotiating Internationally | 3 |
| IB 335 | International Finance | 3 |
| IB 352 | International Management | 3 |
| IB 345 | Global Supply Chain | 3 |
| IB 401 | International Strategy and Business Plan | 3 |
| International Business Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
IB 300 | Special Topics in International Business | |
IB 311 | International Marketing | |
IB 320 | Introduction to Global Entrepreneurship | |
IB 355 | Advanced Topics in International Financial Management | |
IB 362 | Cross-Cultural Business Research Part 1 | |
IB 363 | Cross-Cultural Business Research Part 2 | |
IB 488 | International Business Internship | |
SB 360 | International Business Immersion | |
MG 342 | Supply Chain Analytics | |
| Open Electives | ||
| Select 18 credits 1 | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
| 1 | Students can choose any course they want. However, it is recommended that students choose open courses that could be applied to their minor. Note: Students placed in MA 107 have 15 credits available under electives. |
Study Abroad Requirement
Students are required to study abroad, ideally for a semester but in special circumstances a shorter program is possible (e.g., J-term, Summer etc.). Please see the department chair if you have further questions. Foreign students are exempt from this requirement.
Additional course details
Explore descriptions, schedule and instructor information using the Course Finder tool.
Enrollment and Graduation Data
Enrollment and number of graduates
Number of international business program graduates:
- 2017-18: 25
- 2016–17: 16
- 2015–16: 20
- 2014–15: 27
- 2013–14: 26
Student enrollment in international business in 2017–18: 83
Retention and graduation rates
- School of Business freshman retention rate: 87%
- School of Business 6-year graduation rate: 75%
- School of Business graduate placement rate: 99%
Median starting salary
Median starting salary for international business program graduates: $48,500
