International Business - Bachelor of Commerce
Overview
The International Business major prepares students to conduct business in an increasingly globalized environment. Students will learn how to apply concepts from functional areas, such as marketing and finance, within the global business setting and how international business practice differs from domestic business. Students will also learn how the language, culture and political economy influence business in different countries and regions.
The Bachelor of Commerce
School of Business
MacEwan.ca/BCom
The Bachelor of Commerce focuses on the development of basic business and managerial competencies combined with an understanding of globalization and its implications. The program is structured to provide comprehensive preparation for management positions with both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations as well as the public sector.
The degree provides students with knowledge and critical understanding of commerce and management, and the ability to gather, review, evaluate and interpret information relevant to business and management. Key professional skills are taught: ethical business practices and sustainability, business communication skills, teamwork, business analytics and technology, global and local mindsets, critical thinking and research, including the opportunity to engage in independent research and practice. These skills are integrated across all courses in the program.
The program consists of three types of courses: core, major/minor and elective. Core courses develop fundamental skills and abilities in business and management. Upon completion of core courses, the student will choose one of seven majors: Accounting, Human Resources Management, International Business, Legal Studies in Business, Management, Marketing or Supply Chain Management. The courses in the majors deepen knowledge of business within a focal area and the elective courses broaden education beyond business and tailor the degree to the student’s interests. Co-operative Education streams are also available. Students may explore their options in completing a second major, one or two minors, or a double major with a non-business minor. The program will prepare students for graduate studies in related fields.
Commerce Disciplines
| Discipline | Major | Minor | Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | ⦿ | ⦿ | ⦿ |
| Human Resources Management | ⦿ | ⦿ | ⦿ |
| International Business | ⦿ | ⦿ | ⦿ |
| Legal Studies in Business | ⦿ | ⦿ | - |
| Management | ⦿ | ⦿ | ⦿ |
| Marketing | ⦿ | ⦿ | ⦿ |
| Supply Chain Management | ⦿ | ⦿ | - |
| Business Intelligence | - | ⦿ | - |
| Finance | - | ⦿ | - |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | - | ⦿ | - |
| Property Management | - | ⦿ | - |
Out of School Minors
| Discipline | Minor |
|---|---|
| Anthropology | ⦿ |
| Digital Experience Design | ⦿ |
| Economics | ⦿ |
| French | ⦿ |
| History | ⦿ |
| Journalism | ⦿ |
| Political Science | ⦿ |
| Psychology | ⦿ |
| Sociology | ⦿ |
| Spanish | ⦿ |
| Statistics | ⦿ |
Career Potential
Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce program have a wide variety of options: they could choose to work in corporations, governments, not-for-profit organizations or perhaps start their own businesses. Careers in disciplines such as finance, marketing, accounting, banking, business consulting, management information systems, human resources management, team and organizational development, small business management, international business, operations management, purchasing or logistics are available. Another option is to continue their education by completing a graduate degree, such as an MBA or PhD, which could lead to an academic or research career.
Contact Information
T: 780-497-5162
E: bcom@macewan.ca
Bachelor of Commerce Requirements
| Program Element | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Business | 39 |
| Core | Non-Business | 18 |
| Total Core Requirement Credits | 57 | |
| Primary Major | Majors range from 21 to 33 credits with a minimum of 21 credits at the senior level and 12 of those credits at the 300 or 400-level. Majors are comprised of both required courses and a selection of options. | 21-33 |
| Non-Business Electives | Students must complete 15-21 credits of Non-Business electives and may use these credits to fulfill the requirements of a minor(s) or second major. | 15-21 |
| Open Electives | Students must complete 9-15 credits of Open electives and may use these credits to fulfill the requirements of a minor(s) or second major. | 9-15 |
| Business Electives | Students must complete 6 credits of Business electives and can use these credits to fulfill the requirements of a minor(s) or second major. | 6 |
| Total Required Minimum Core, Major and elective credits for the degree | 120 | |
| Minor(s) or second major | Students have the option of completing one or two minors, or a second major from the Bachelor of Commerce, provided they can satisfy their requirements for Business, Non-Business and Open Electives with that same coursework. Minors are comprised of 15 credits of senior-level coursework. Students are limited to one minor from outside the School of Business. | 15-30 |
The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study.
Core Business Courses
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 311 | Introductory Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 322 | Managerial Information and Control Systems | 3 |
| BUSN 201 | Introduction to Sustainable Business | 3 |
| BUSN 450 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| FNCE 301 | Introductory Finance | 3 |
| LEGL 210 | Business Law I | 3 |
| MARK 301 | Fundamentals of Marketing | 3 |
| MSYS 200 | Introduction to Management Information Systems | 3 |
| MGTS 103 | Probability and Statistics I | 3 |
| MGTS 312 | Probability and Statistics II | 3 |
| MGTS 352 | Operations Management | 3 |
| ORGA 201 | Introduction to Management | 3 |
| ORGA 316 | Contemporary Organizational Behaviour and Theory | 3 |
Core Non-Business Courses
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 101 | Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 102 | Introduction to Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Analysis and Argument | 3 |
| Select 3 credits of university ENGL 1 | 3 | |
| PROW 210 | Advanced Business Writing | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Quantitative Decision-Making | ||
| Elementary Calculus I | ||
| Basic Linear Algebra I | ||
| 1 |
Bachelor of Commerce Honours Requirements
Bachelor of Commerce Honours students complete their program in 120 credits as do all Bachelor of Commerce students. They fulfill the requirements of the Honours Designation by taking 15 credits of Honours programming for their elective courses.
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BUSN 396 | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods for Business | 3 |
| BUSN 397 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods for Management | 3 |
| BUSN 496 | Senior Honours Seminar | 3 |
| Choose one of: | 3 | |
| Honours Thesis - Accounting | ||
| Honours Thesis - Human Resources Management | ||
| Honours Thesis - International Business | ||
| Honours Thesis - Marketing | ||
| Honours Thesis - Management | ||
| Choose a Senior 400 level course as determined and approved by the Faculty Advisor | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Course Substitutions
| Credit Earned in: | May Be Substituted for Credit in Program Course: |
|---|---|
| ACCT 111 & ACCT 161 | ACCT 311 |
| ACCT 218 & ACCT 268 | ACCT 322 |
Program Requirements
International Business Honours
Bachelor of Commerce - International Business Major
Major Requirements - Choose 33 senior-level credits from this list. Students must also choose a Regional Specialization that includes a language other than English.
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTB 300 | Introduction to International Business | 3 |
| INTB 311 | Diversity and Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| INTB 412 | Managing in an International Environment | 3 |
| MARK 403 | International Marketing | 3 |
| FNCE 404 | International Finance | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Doing Business Internationally - Study Tour | ||
| Global Business and Sustainability | ||
| International Entrepreneurship | ||
| Special Topics in International Business | ||
| Independent Studies in International Business | ||
| International Business Transactions | ||
| Consumer Behaviour | ||
| Business Logistics Management | ||
| Global Sourcing and Logistics | ||
| Regional Specialization - Choose one 15-credit Regional Specialization from this list. | 15 | |
| Asia | ||
Any senior-level HIST course | ||
| Asia Pacific Political Systems | ||
| Conducting Business in Asia | ||
Language: Chinese or Japanese (6 credits) | ||
| Europe | ||
Any senior-level HIST course | ||
| Introduction to Global Politics I | ||
| Business in Regional World Markets | ||
Language: French, German, or Spanish (6 credits) | ||
| Latin America | ||
Any senior-level HIST course | ||
| Introduction to Global Politics I | ||
| Business in Regional World Markets | ||
Language: Spanish (6 credits) | ||
| Elective Requirement | ||
| Business Electives | 6 | |
| Non-Business Electives | 15 | |
| Open Electives | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 63 | |
Bachelor of Commerce - International Business Honours
Overall Honours Requirement – 33 senior-level courses from this list. Students must also choose a Regional Specialization that includes a language other than English.
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTB 300 | Introduction to International Business | 3 |
| INTB 311 | Diversity and Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| INTB 412 | Managing in an International Environment | 3 |
| MARK 403 | International Marketing | 3 |
| FNCE 404 | International Finance | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Doing Business Internationally - Study Tour | ||
| Global Business and Sustainability | ||
| International Entrepreneurship | ||
| Special Topics in International Business | ||
| Independent Studies in International Business | ||
| International Business Transactions | ||
| Consumer Behaviour | ||
| Business Logistics Management | ||
| Global Sourcing and Logistics | ||
| Regional Specialization - Choose one 15-credit Regional Specialization from this list: | 15 | |
| Asia | ||
Any senior-level HIST course | ||
| Asia Pacific Political Systems | ||
| Conducting Business in Asia | ||
Language: Chinese or Japanese (6 credits) | ||
| Europe | ||
Any senior-level HIST course | ||
| Introduction to Global Politics I | ||
| Business in Regional World Markets | ||
Language: French, German, or Spanish (6 credits) | ||
| Latin America | ||
Any senior-level HIST course | ||
| Introduction to Global Politics I | ||
| Business in Regional World Markets | ||
Language: Spanish (6 credits) | ||
| Specific Honours Designation Requirement | ||
| BUSN 396 | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods for Business | 3 |
| BUSN 397 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods for Management | 3 |
| BUSN 496 | Senior Honours Seminar | 3 |
| INTB 499 | Honours Thesis - International Business | 3 |
| Select a senior 400-level course as approved by faculty advisor | 3 | |
| Elective Requirement | ||
| Non-Business Electives | 12 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 63 | |
Bacheleor of Commerce - International Business Minor
Minor Requirement - Complete 15 credits from this list:
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTB 300 | Introduction to International Business | 3 |
| INTB 412 | Managing in an International Environment | 3 |
| Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| International Finance | ||
| Doing Business Internationally - Study Tour | ||
| Global Business and Sustainability | ||
| Diversity and Intercultural Communication | ||
| Conducting Business in Asia | ||
| Business in Regional World Markets | ||
| International Entrepreneurship | ||
| Special Topics in International Business | ||
| International Business Transactions | ||
| International Marketing | ||
| Global Sourcing and Logistics | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Degree Regulations
Students are strongly encouraged to seek advice from the academic advisors about program planning, whether for completing degree requirements at MacEwan University or for transfer to another post-secondary institution.
Academic Residency - Credit Requirements
Further to the Academic Residency regulation requirement, Policy C2100, the Bachelor of Commerce program requires that the 60 credits must include a minimum of 12 credits in a major with six of those completed at the 400 level.
Core and Major Requirements
The Bachelor of Commerce program consists of 120 non-duplicative credits. The core program requirements include 57 credits, comprised of 39 business credits and 18 non-business credits. Each major includes 21-33 credits of specific coursework requirements. Refer to the Program of Study for each major for specific requirements. The International Management Major requires students to complete the Language Requirement focusing on one language.
Declaration of Major and Minor
Students are required to declare a major upon the completion of 60 credits and by published deadlines. As completion of one major is a graduation requirement, students are strongly encouraged to consult with a program advisor prior to declaration of their major. If students change their major following their declaration, additional coursework may be necessary to fulfill the requirements of the new major.
Students have the option of completing a second major from existing majors in Commerce, or one or two minors, provided they can satisfy their requirements for Business, Non-Business, and Open electives with that same coursework. Minors are comprised of 15 senior-level credits and are not a graduation requirement. Only one minor from outside the School of Business is permitted.
Depending on the courses or specializations in which a student chooses to enrol, meeting the requirements of a double major may require the completion of more than 120 credits. Further, students admitted into the Bachelor of Commerce via Block Transfer cannot complete a minor.
Electives and Options
The Bachelor of Commerce has specific requirements for elective and option credits.
The four categories are:
- Options – a choice of courses from a list specified in the requirements for some majors
- Business Electives – a choice of any baccalaureate level course from the School of Business which is not a required core or major course in the student’s primary major. Students may use Business Electives to meet minor or second major requirements.
- Non-Business Electives – a choice of any baccalaureate level course outside the School of Business which is not a required core or major course in the student’s chosen major. Students may use Non-Business Electives to meet minor requirements inside and outside the School of Business.
- Open Electives – a choice of any baccalaureate level course which is not a required core or major course in the student’s primary major. Students may use Open Electives to meet minor or second major requirements.
Maximum 100 Level Courses
A maximum of 39 credits at the 100-level are permitted in completion of the Bachelor of Commerce degree. Additional credits at the 100 level will be declared extra to the degree. The required 100 level language credits for students in the International Business major are exempt from this limit.
Progression of Studies
Students are responsible for ensuring they meet the prerequisite and/or co-requisite requirements as noted on all courses that may fulfill Bachelor of Commerce program requirements.
Bachelor of Commerce Co-operative Education Programming
The co-operative education program component is competitive as there are limited co-op placements. Students interested in this program are encouraged to speak with an advisor and visit the website for up-to-date information: MacEwan.ca/bcom.
Co-operative Education Degree Regulations
All students who apply and are accepted into the Co-operative Education stream will be subject to MacEwan Policy C2065 Co-operative Education and the Bachelor of Commerce Co-operative Education Degree Regulations.
Applying to the Co-Operative Education Stream
Once students are admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce program and meet eligibility criteria for the Co-operative Education Stream they may apply. International students are eligible to apply but are responsible for obtaining any visas or work permits that are required.
Withdrawal from the Co-operative Education Stream
A student who fails to report to a work placement, or is dismissed from a work placement, may be assigned a failing grade for that work placement. Any student who leaves a work placement without university approval will receive a failing grade for the work placement and may be prohibited by the Chair or delegate from continuing in the Co-operative Education Stream. The university reserves the right, at any point during the work placement, to remove a student from situations in which students, clients, or other individuals are placed at risk, or when the student engages in behaviour that is contrary to the professional requirements of the work placement.
Additional Core Requirements
All co-op students must complete the following four courses in addition to the 120 credits required to graduate from the Bachelor of Commerce degree:
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COOP 290 | Co-op Pre-employment Seminar | 0 |
| COOP 295 | Co-operative Education: First Work Experience (480 hours) | 0 |
| COOP 395 | Co-Operative Education: Second Work Experience (480 hours) | 0 |
| COOP 495 | Co-Operative Education: Third Work Experience (480 hours) | 0 |
As part of these courses students will create learning objectives, complete a work placement report and be evaluated by their employer.
Prior to the start of a work placement students are required to sign a declaration stating that they have read and understood their responsibilities to both their employer and the university.
Work Placements and Timing
Each work placement will consist of a minimum of 480 hours of paid employment in a job that is relevant to the student’s program. The student must have no more than two academic terms remaining when the final work placement is completed; and the student’s last term in the program must be an academic term.
Students benefit from their work placement experience by being exposed to the work setting in more than one season of the year. They are strongly encouraged to choose work terms in more than one season, unless it can be demonstrated that their work is of a purely seasonal nature.
Course Load During Full-Time Co-Op Work Terms
Co-op work and study are designed to be engaged in full time. Students may not be enrolled in any other credit coursework concurrently when registered in a Co-op work term. This regulation applies to students registered in any one of COOP 295, COOP 395 or COOP 495.
Under certain circumstances, students may obtain consent to register in one, three-credit course for which credit can be recognized in the MacEwan University Bachelor of Commerce degree, while registered in one of the three COOP work experience courses. Students will submit a written request to the attention of the department chair (or delegate), care of BCom, student services, explaining compelling reasons to enrol while on Co-op work term. Submissions must be hand delivered, dated and signed by the student. Permissions may be granted based on individual circumstance. If students register in course(s) while being registered in one of COOP 295, COOP 395 or COOP 495 without obtaining written consent, they will be automatically removed from the Co-op placement.
Responsibility for Obtaining a Work Placement
The university will facilitate the assignment of students in work placements. However, students are ultimately responsible for finding their own work placements, and all work placements must be approved by the University. The University cannot guarantee students’ co-op employment, because labour market conditions are variable and beyond university control. A student’s failure to find a work placement may result in the student being required to withdraw from the Co-op stream.
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
The student must maintain good academic standing (a grade point average of at least 2.0) to enrol in co-op work placements. Failure to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 will result in the student being withdrawn from the Co-op stream.