International Business Degrees Could Help Grads Meet Global Demands

A university in Texas this year plans to add three newbusiness degree. China has for some time been a
business degrees intended to help graduates fillpopular subject of study, as well as a site where
anticipated job openings for the future. The institution'scolleges and universities have expanded their
new degree programs include marketing, with anpresences. Now, some institutions of higher education
emphasis on data and analysis, and informationare looking at India, Inside Higher Education has noted.
systems, where students can learn how businessesGeorgia's business schools offer joint two-year
can use computers to improve their work. The Texasmaster's degree programs with a management school
University is also adding a global business degree thatin Channai, according to a recent report in Inside Higher
is to include foreign language and cultural studies, asEducation. Students at a Texas university, on the other
well as study abroad programs.hand, have opportunities to travel to India as part of a
This institution isn't alone. In Indiana, a university isStudy Abroad program with a business focus. India is
introducing an international studies minor wherethe second fastest growing market in Asia, presenting
students can learn about foreign cultures. The programlucrative and diverse opportunities for United States
is to focus on foreign languages, with a choice ofexports with the right products, services and
Chinese, French or Spanish, as well as world andcommitment, the U.S. Department of Commerce
human geography, an Inside INdiana Business newsreports.
item noted.The concept of incorporating foreign language and
Today's global challenges demand internationalculture studies into business degree programs isn't
competence, according to the NAFSA: Association ofnecessarily new. A university in Michigan in 1979
International Educators website. Americans who studylaunched one of the first programs in the United States
abroad for credit, engage in service and experientialto combine requirements in foreign language
learning, internships or research, or who study foreignproficiency with area studies, international business,
languages, are far better prepared for the demands ofeconomics and practical training that became a model
the 21st century, the association's web site notes.for developing similar programs elsewhere, an ERIC
NAFSA (originally named National Association ofClearinghouse article reported. Yet a Bloomberg
Foreign Student Advisers) is a member organizationBusinessWeek reporter addressing the expansion of a
that works in part to promote international education.New York City art and design school's design and
Growing economies outside of the United States canmanagement program earlier this year suggested that
influence business transactions and increase the valuea need still exists for undergraduate business
of an international business degree, according to aprograms to provide students with an understanding of
university in Tampa that also offers an internationaland empathy for different cultures.