Home > Undergraduate > Academics > Majors > Global Management
Global Management Major
The global management major enables students to develop expertise in the management of people, processes, and policies in a global context --
- People - Enhancing and developing competencies to manage people across national and cultural boundaries;
- Processes - Integrating knowledge development, product procurement, manufacturing and distribution for a global supply chain;
- Policies - Managing internal and external environments, such as globally-dispersed stakeholders, corporate governance and cross-border regulations.
A deep understanding of these three interrelated areas, complemented by a concentration in a business function and a focused choice of arts and sciences courses, is critical for those who seek to add value to the firms of tomorrow. Starting with the core material of traditional management theory and practice, we add knowledge of global policy, economics, regulations, and operations. The integrated, forward-looking "people, process, policy model" provides students with an advantage in competing for attractive internships and full-time positions in multinational firms.
To further enhance students' preparedness for a global environment, the global management major requires students to acquire knowledge of a second (non-native) language at the conversational level and to complete a study abroad experience. Global management majors are encouraged to satisfy arts and sciences foundation requirements by choosing courses that complement the language training. For example, if the student's foreign language is Japanese, he or she should consider satisfying the social science, literature, and music/art requirements with any of several courses that focus on Japan.
Although not a formal requirement, global management majors should complement their program of study with a three-course (9 credit) functional concentration (currently available concentrations are accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, management information systems, organizational behavior, and supply chain management).
To earn the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree, global management majors must earn a minimum of 120 credits. Global management majors fulfill all arts and sciences foundation requirements as well as all BSBA core curriculum requirements. The major requires 18 credits in global management course work, the additional foreign language requirement, and study abroad.
Prerequisites
Earn a minimum grade of C (2.00) in each of the following prerequisite courses:
| Course ID | Name |
|---|---|
| ECON 0100 | Introduction to Microeconomic Theory |
| ECON 0110 | Introduction to Macroeconomic Theory |
| BUSORG 1020 | Organizational Behavior |
| BUSHRM 1050 | Human Resources Management |
| BUSQOM 1070 | Operations Management |
| BUSSPP 1080 | Strategic Management |
Required Global Management Major Courses
A cumulative GPA of 2.25 (C+) is required in the following courses for the global management major. A C- or better must be earned in each course applied toward the global management major.
| Course ID | Name |
|---|---|
| BUSORG 1655 | International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior (offered spring and fall terms) |
| BUSECN 1508 | Key International Economic Issues for Managers (offered spring and fall terms) |
| BUSHRM 1670 | Global Workforce Management & Change (offered fall term only) |
| BUSSCM 1730 | Managing Global Supply Chains (offered spring and fall terms) |
| BUSSPP 1740 | Global Strategy and Competitive Advantage (offered spring term only) |
| BUSSPP 1745 | Projects in Global Management (offered spring term only) |
Foreign Language Requirement
Global management majors must complete foreign language study through the University of Pittsburgh Level 4 with a minimum grade of C+ in each course, along with an additional 3 credit course in the language, also to be completed with a minimum grade of C+. If, for a particular language, the University offers instruction only through Level 4, this requirement is fulfilled by 3 credits of a course specific to the region in which the language is widely spoken completed with a minimum grade of C+. For students already fluent in a second (or third) language, it is required that they will earn at least 8 credits in another language with a minimum grade of C+ in each course.
Study Abroad Requirement
Global management majors must complete a study abroad experience. The requirement may be satisfied in either of the following ways:
- An outside-of-the-US educational program of at least four weeks duration and at least three credits OR
- An outside-of-the-US professional work experience in a business-related discipline of at least six weeks duration with a minimum of twenty hours per week and at least one credit.
Either experience should be completed in a country which has as a primary language the student's language of study. For example, if the student's foreign language is German, he or she should satisfy the study abroad requirement in Germany. With approval, up to 6 credits of the major area courses may be taken abroad as part of a semester study outside of the U.S.
A student is not permitted to earn both a global management major and a Certificate in International Business.
Careful planning is required to complete the global management major in four years. This sample program of study serves as a template for completion of the global management major.
Enhance Your Curriculum with a Certificate
CBA students can enhance their curriculum with certificates in:
