The International Business specialization is for learners who would like a thorough understanding of international business concepts, tools, and applications. This knowledge can be employed to advance in your current work, to prepare for international jobs and careers, and to generally understand the importance and role of international business practice on globalization and geopolitics. The specialization covers the global context of business, national cultures, human resources, marketing, supply chains logistics, foreign exchange, and modes of entry – all in the context of international business and commerce. Along the way are many lectures, examples, cases, readings, and tools that can be employed to better understand the practice of international business. The specialization emphasizes the differences between domestic versus international business practice with a particular focus on the risks and mistakes that are all too easy to make when working abroad. Upon completion of the specialization, learners will have a broad understanding of the breadth and scope of international business and a solid foundation upon which to advance their careers and interests.
International Business Specialization
Become a Global Business Manager. Master international business strategies and methods for global success.
Instructor: Stephen R. Lawrence
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What you'll learn
Comprehend and critique global business including trade theories, globalization, political and economic systems, ethics, and international trade law.
Apply models of national culture to international marketing and human resource management.
Understand methods of organizing international logistics and supply chains and explain foreign currency exchange and its risks.
Analyze and evaluate the many modes and methods that businesses can participate in international markets.
Overview
Skills you'll gain
- World History
- Supply Chain Planning
- Logistics Management
- Payment Systems
- Market Analysis
- Shipping and Receiving
- Corporate Sustainability
- Risk Management
- Transportation Operations
- Business Economics
- Cultural Diversity
- Supply Chain Management
- B2B Sales
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Market Opportunities
- Transportation, Supply Chain, and Logistics
- Business Development
- International Finance
- Management Training And Development
- Financial Trading
What’s included
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September 2025
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Specialization - 5 course series
What you'll learn
Interpret the history of human trade, theories of international trade, and the business of trade as antecedents of the current global economy.
Critique the pros and cons of recent economic globalization.
Evaluate the political, economic, and ethical systems in which international businesses operate.
Appraise the many international trade laws and agreements and evaluate national trade laws and regulations currently extant.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Interpret how a nation’s culture is formed from its history, language, and societal norms.
Evaluate the characteristics of a nation’s culture using Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions analysis.
Apply and adapt standard marketing perspectives to international business-to-customer (B2C) markets and consumers.
Comprehend and deploy techniques for successful business-to-business (B2B) marketing.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Comprehend the importance of global supply chains, sourcing, and operations management in the execution of global businesses.
Compare and select between logistics intermediaries available to assist with the movement of goods and services between nations and across borders.
Explain the need for foreign currency exchange and calculate foreign exchange transactions.
Evaluate foreign currency exchange risks in international transactions and identify means to mitigate those risks.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Analyze the impact of financial decisions on the financial performance of international businesses.
Explain the need for foreign currency exchange and calculate foreign exchange transactions.
Evaluate foreign currency exchange risks in international transactions and identify means to mitigate those risks.
Understand how international accounting standards differ from one another and apply that understanding to accounting operations.
Skills you'll gain
What you'll learn
Analyze the information needed to make going abroad decisions including timing, country selection, and mode of entry.
Critique the advantages and disadvantages of exporting and evaluate exporting compared to other country entry modes.
Critique the advantages/disadvantages of direct country entry and use this information to select the best entry mode for a given situation.
Anticipate the challenges of working and living abroad and apply known methods of mitigating those challenges.
Skills you'll gain
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Frequently asked questions
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
More questions
Financial aid available,