Roger Williams University

What you'll study

The International Business Bachelor programme gives a grounding in core business functions — accounting, finance, marketing and management — while adding focused international topics. The curriculum typically includes a mix of required core courses, international specialisms and elective options, delivered over a four‑year degree path with opportunities for experiential learning.

• Core business foundation: introductory and intermediate courses in financial and managerial accounting, corporate finance, organisational behaviour, marketing principles and business statistics.
• International business specialisms: courses in international trade and finance, global marketing, international business law and ethics, comparative management, and cross‑cultural negotiation.
• Operations and supply chain: global supply chain management, logistics, import/export practices and procurement in international contexts.
• Analytical and elective options: electives in data analytics, international entrepreneurship, sustainable business practices, and regional studies (e.g. Asia, Europe, Latin America).
• Language and culture: opportunities to study a modern foreign language and courses that develop cultural fluency for doing business across borders.
• Capstone and experiential learning: a senior capstone or integrative project, internship placements with international or export‑oriented companies, consulting projects with community partners, and options for study abroad or exchange.

Programme structure

Students follow a core business sequence in the first two years, then move into specialised international courses and electives in the later years. Advising helps tailor electives and experiential components — for example prioritising a semester abroad, industry internship or an applied research project — to individual career goals.

Entry requirements

• Undergraduate applicants: a completed secondary school qualification with a competitive academic record. Coursework in mathematics, economics or business is beneficial.
• Standardised tests: Roger Williams University has test‑optional admissions policies; applicants should check the university’s current guidance about submitting SAT or ACT scores.
• International applicants: proof of secondary completion equivalent to U.S. high school graduation and evidence of English proficiency if the applicant’s first language is not English (common tests accepted include TOEFL or IELTS or institutional equivalencies).
• Transfer students: official college transcripts showing college‑level coursework; transfer credit for business courses may be awarded after evaluation.
• Additional materials: personal statement, recommendation letters and any résumé of work or volunteer experience strengthen an application. Specific academic departments may have advising interviews or additional requirements for experiential placements.

Career prospects

Graduates of an International Business degree go into a wide range of roles that require commercial knowledge and global awareness. Career paths commonly include:

• International marketing and brand management for multinational corporations and export businesses
• Global supply chain and logistics coordinator or analyst
• Trade compliance, customs brokerage and import/export operations
• Business development and international sales
• Management consulting with a focus on market entry, cross‑border strategy or operations
• Roles in financial services with an international focus, such as treasury, trade finance or international banking
• Work with non‑profits, government trade agencies or international organisations that require economic and cross‑cultural skills
• Entrepreneurship and launching ventures that operate across national markets

Roger Williams alumni in business often combine the degree with internships, language skills and study abroad experience to enter global roles more quickly; many also progress to graduate study in business, international affairs or law.

Why study at Roger Williams University

• Practical, experiential focus: the university emphasises internships, practicum projects and close faculty mentoring so students can apply classroom learning to real business challenges.
• Small classes and personal attention: smaller cohort sizes allow more interaction with faculty and personalised academic and career advising.
• Coastal New England location: the Bristol, Rhode Island setting provides proximity to regional businesses, maritime and logistics firms, and cultural links for study and internship opportunities in nearby cities.
• Global opportunities: study abroad programmes and partnerships enable students to gain language skills and international experience that are directly relevant to careers in trade and multinational firms.
• Career support: on‑campus career services and employer networks help students secure internships and entry‑level roles, with support for résumé building, interview preparation and employer outreach.