Chatham University

What you'll study

The programme blends foundational business disciplines with international-focused courses and experiential components. Early years typically cover core business subjects — accounting, micro- and macroeconomics, statistics, organisational behaviour and principles of marketing — while later years introduce specialised international topics such as international finance, global marketing, international trade and tariff policy, cross-cultural management, and global supply chain management.

• Core business modules: financial accounting, managerial accounting, business law, business ethics, management information systems, and strategic management.
• International modules: international finance and currency markets, export/import practices, global marketing, international trade policy, and comparative international business environments.
• Skills and electives: intercultural communication, foreign language study, negotiation and persuasion, international business analytics, and sustainability in global business.
• Experiential learning: internship placements with multinational firms or NGOs, consulting projects with local companies, and a final-year capstone or practicum that integrates cross-border business problems.
• Study abroad and exchange: opportunities to spend a semester or shorter term at partner institutions, enabling immersion in a different commercial and cultural context.

Students benefit from an interdisciplinary liberal-arts curriculum, allowing electives from fields such as political science, environmental studies and languages to broaden understanding of global issues that affect business.

Entry requirements

Chatham University typically looks for applicants with a strong high-school academic record and preparation in quantitative and written subjects. Typical application components include:

• High-school diploma or equivalent with a competitive grade profile; completion of college-preparatory subjects, including mathematics and English.
• Official transcripts from secondary school; for transfer applicants, college transcripts are required.
• A personal statement or essay outlining interest in international business and relevant experiences.
• Letters of recommendation (usually one or two) from teachers or counsellors who can speak to academic potential.
• Standardised test scores if submitted — Chatham has historically used test-optional policies, so check current guidance when applying.
• For applicants whose first language is not English, proof of English proficiency via IELTS or TOEFL scores may be required.

Additional qualifications such as workplace experience, international travel or language skills can strengthen an application. Specific admissions criteria and exact thresholds are provided by the university and should be confirmed on Chatham's admissions pages.

Career prospects

Graduates of an international business degree from Chatham enter roles across private, public and third-sector organisations that operate internationally. Common career pathways include:

• International business analyst or market researcher, analysing market entry and competitive strategy.
• Global marketing manager or export manager, managing overseas product launches and distribution.
• Supply chain and logistics coordinator working with international suppliers and freight operations.
• Trade compliance specialist or customs brokerage roles ensuring adherence to international regulations.
• Management consulting with a focus on global strategy, mergers and acquisitions or cross-border operations.
• Roles in international development, NGOs, and public-sector agencies dealing with trade, economic development or sustainability projects.

Graduates also often pursue graduate study in business, international relations or specialised masters programmes to deepen technical knowledge or pivot into areas such as finance or law.

Why study at Chatham University

Chatham combines a small-campus, student-centred environment with an interdisciplinary liberal-arts approach that complements professional business training. Students benefit from close faculty mentorship, small class sizes and accessible advising that support real-world learning.

• Strong emphasis on experiential education: internships, community-engaged projects and a capstone that connects classroom learning to employer needs.
• Opportunities for study abroad and international exchanges to build language skills and cross-cultural competence.
• Location advantages: proximity to Pittsburgh’s business, nonprofit and technology sectors provides networking and internship opportunities with multinational and regional organisations.
• Dedicated career services and employer connections to help with placements, résumés and interview preparation for international roles.
• Interdisciplinary options that allow students to combine business training with sustainability, public policy or languages — useful for careers in global companies and mission-driven organisations.

Together, these elements prepare graduates to navigate the complexities of global markets with practical skills, ethical awareness and a broad cultural perspective.