Ranked No. 1 in the nation for more than two decades, the International Business program
at the Moore School is unparalleled in providing students opportunities to develop
global competencies through rigorous international business training complemented
by foreign language acquisition, study abroad at elite partner schools and exposure
to leading-edge faculty.
Admission to the International Business major is highly selective. Students who are
admitted to the South Carolina Honors College may select the Classic IB track, which includes spending at least one semester abroad at one of our more than 60
partner universities. The small number of remaining openings are filled through a
highly competitive selection process.
Degree requirements: 128-140 hours
- In-depth capacity in a functional area of business.
- Strong understanding of the global dimensions of business.
- Excellent communication skills in more than one language.
- Appreciation of the impact of culture on the conduct of business.
- Exposure to living in a second culture.
All majors are required to take Carolina Core classes to develop problem-solving skills and explore world cultures, history, languages and art. Business students also complete the Business Core Curriculum, which covers the basics for success in advanced business courses. Courses common to all programs include business communications, statistics, international business, accounting, economics, computer applications and business law. Explore the curriculum.
The program also requires nine hours of course work with international content that may be used to fulfill other degree requirements. Three hours must be taken from an approved list of courses offered by the Darla Moore School of Business which contain international business or international economics content. Course options can also be used to satisfy the three credit hours of this requirement: approved course work containing international business or international economics content, taken at a semester abroad program; an approved Maymester or summer overseas course containing international business or international economics content; an approved internship course in international business wherein a student would obtain discipline-related work experience in a foreign country; or an approved service-learning component. Explore the curriculum.
Language skills not only improve the efficiency, insight and networking skills of
global professionals but such proficiency also allows individuals to gain deeper insight
into the culture, values and context of the people with whom they are working. In
order to enhance this cross-cultural capability, international business students must
complete several advanced-level courses in a foreign language (often resulting in a language minor). The languages available at USC include Arabic,
Chinese, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
While prior language study is highly recommended, it is not necessary to participate
in the program. Many students choose to begin studying a new language when they arrive
at USC and are able to complete the requirement of four 300-level courses for the
IB program by graduation.
Explore the World
The Moore School's strong international partnerships have allowed the business school to develop partnerships with over 60 of the best business schools around the world. Every spring, juniors majoring in international business will study at one of these schools through the international business exchange program. These partnerships allow students to build a network of global contacts with future business leaders around the world.
Placements are determined through an application process in which priority is based on academic records and answers to application questions. Students rank their top 10 destinations not only by location but also based on courses available, language immersion opportunities, professional goals and cultural curiosity. Most partner schools offer courses in English, and students are not required to speak the language of the country where they are studying abroad. Exceptions to the study abroad requirement will be granted in cases of hardship. Students in regional cohort tracks meet the overseas study requirement at the cohort partner institution.
Additional study abroad preparations, including additional application processes for the host university, visas, housing,and pre-departure modules,are required of students in the fall semester prior to studying abroad, providing students experiential learning opportunities as they prepare for careers in international business.
International Business Curriculum (15 hours)
The international business major must be taken in combination with a second major in business and requires 27-39 hours of major coursework. Explore the curriculum.
International Business Degree: Track Options
In addition to completing USC's Carolina Core general education courses, business core classes and the international business curriculum, students are required to double major in another business discipline and complete advanced foreign language courses. IB students are also required to complete at least one semester abroad through one of the Moore School's partner exchanges at more than 60 of the top business schools worldwide.
Students may apply for admission to the Global International Business (Classic) track as a current first-year student in the Darla Moore School of Business or to one of five International Cohort tracks during their senior year of high school prior to enrollment at USC.
Additional Information
Admission to the international business major is highly competitive, and enrollment is limited. Individual limits apply to language selections in the Cohort track.
The Sonoco Department of International Business has led the field of undergraduate education in creating progressive, thought-provoking, engaging courses that challenge students to think beyond their comfort zones. Each class exposes students to the vast complexities of our changing world and helps them develop the skills needed to make the best business decisions in environments of increasing globalization, great uncertainty and multiple points of view. To prepare them for courses in the international business major students are recommended to take a variety of internationally related arts and sciences courses from the Carolina Core.
In addition to receiving a strong international business education, students are also required to complete a second major at the Moore School. This additional concentration helps them develop specific functional skills that enhance their effectiveness as business professionals. Visit the Undergraduate Majors page to see a list of available majors.