Online Degrees in International Business

Degree programs in international business are available at all levels, from certificate programs and associate degrees to advanced master's and doctoral degrees. Lower-level degrees typically prepare students for entry-level careers or further education, while advanced degrees help professionals move into management or leadership positions.

International business degrees combine a broad business education with training targeted towards the specific needs of global business; issues of culture, language, foreign laws and customs all come into play. For example, international business professionals may need to know tax laws of the countries in which they have manufacturing plants, immigration laws for individuals working abroad, and nuances of business etiquette when meeting with foreign partners.

International business coursework might include a mix of the following subjects:

• Principles of imports/exports
• Supply chain management
• Intercultural management
• Business communication

Students enrolling in international business degree programs might already have some experience in business, language or other cultures, or they might be completely new to the field. Most importantly, students have a willingness to broaden their own horizons through international business study. International business careers may require a significant amount of travel, so flexibility and commitment are a must.

In addition to the convenience of earning an education online, students pursuing online international business degrees enjoy the added benefit of interacting with other students across the country and around the world. This global perspective contributes to the unique dynamics of online study, which often include group work, discussion and collaborative projects.

Many business degree programs include an internship component. Internships, particularly at companies with a global focus, are a great complement to online international business degrees, as they allow students to gain experience and network within their chosen industry.

The international business field is broad, and students may go on to a range of careers. Take a look at a few popular careers for international business graduates, plus mean annual wages from 2010 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Public relations specialists: $59,150
• Marketing specialists: $66,850
• Management analysts: $87,260
• Business operations specialists: $67,710
• Wholesale and retail buyers: $56,300

Any of these careers can have a global focus, depending on the specific company or position. The careers above typically require a bachelor's degree, though some management analyst positions could require an MBA.

• Common careers: Public relations, marketing communication, community relations, media relations, public affairs, government relations, investor relations
• Common industries: Management, scientific, and technical consulting services, federal executive branch, computer systems design, insurance carriers, management of companies and enterprises
• Preferred skills: Additional languages, communication, facility with different cultures, leadership, problem solving