Alumni who graduated with an IB are employed across industries and professions.  Many choose to go into strategic consulting, marketing, management, and finance.  Others pursue a career in the legal or hospitality professions.  International business majors go wherever international business is taking place – and that’s just about everywhere.

More Info on IB Careers

Although the majority of McCombs majors (and IB majors) share the same coursework, the two IB tracks bring very different levels of flexibility and regional focus, and students should note that, unless they are completing a double-major with an area studies department, they are strongly encouraged to pursue the Global Skills Track of the IB Major. 

Both IB Major Tracks require the following:

• UT Core Curriculum
• McCombs Core (including BA 353)
• International Trade (IB 350)
• International Business Operations (IB 378).

Beyond those classes, although specific requirements vary by catalog, in general the differences between the two tracks are as follows:

Global Skills Track:  Maximum ability to customize coursework, with room to add a minor or second major.

• 9-12 hours of IB Elective Coursework
• 6 Upper Division Non-Business Hours
• 15 "Free Elective" Hours for use in customizing
• International Experience can be any UT study abroad program, including all May Term programs

Language Skills Track: Deep focus on single regional focus (usually a single country).  Details available here.

• 6 Hours of IB Elective Coursework
• 18-24 hours of foreign language required (must be predominate language in regional focus)
• 9 hours of area studies coursework specifically related to the geographic focus
• International Experience must be aligned with regional focus.  Only select May Term programs are approved.
• Note that the selection of a "geographic focus" may be restricted due to language requirements and limited course availability.

Students are strongly encouraged to discuss track selection with their advisor if they have any questions .

Students d not need to study a foreign language to complete an IB major, although they are encouraged to do so.

• Student in the Global Skills Track are not required to take a foreign language, although many choose to do so to varying levels of proficiency.
• Students in the Foreign Language Track are required to achieve intermediate proficiency and to complete 6 upper division hours of language coursework.  More About Intermediate Proficiency

Students pursuing the Foreign Language Track are required to focus their language studies, area studies courses work, and international experience on a single geographic region.  This is typically defined as a country, but in some instances may be broader.

Note that the limited availability of area studies coursework may preclude a particular geographic focus, so student are encouraged to work closely with their academic advisor to ensure they intended plan is feasible.

Complete information about how language, international experience, and area studies coursework aligns into a geographic focus is available here.

The Global Skills Track lends itself very well to a minor – or even a second outside (non-BBA) major – as there are 15 elective hours built into the degree plan.  Students in the Foreign Cultures Track may opt to add a few classes to secure a minor in their studied language, or may double-major in cultural studies associated with their regional focus.

The International Business major was first offered in 1962, and has remained a small but critical part of the student body at McCombs.  IB majors make up about 1% of undergraduates at McCombs, but are far greater than that in terms of impact.  And the small size means that IB majors get a high level of individualized support, including a dedicated adviser, career coaching, and mentoring by members of CGB's Board of Advisors.

Students interested in the International Business major can schedule a time to meet with the Global Readiness Advisor anytime!

Contact the Advisor | Schedule an Appointment