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International Business

Develop your international and digital business skills and hit the ground running when you graduate.

A businessman pulls a carry-on suitcase through an airport terminal.
Start Date:
September
Typical Length:
2 Years
Credential:
Advanced Diploma

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Overview

Whether you operate a small business or work for a large multi-national corporation, globalization is bound to impact you in some way. Many of the products we buy are manufactured overseas and now, more than ever, it's likely you'll meet and work with individuals from various countries and cultures as customers, suppliers, colleagues, employees or employers. All indications are that this trend will continue. Focused research, including the One Nova Scotia report (PDF 27.2MB) (released in 2014) suggests that the province needs highly skilled international business professionals to step into leadership and operational roles.

In this program, you receive:

  • Specialized international business training that employers involved in international markets demand
  • Valuable international, ecommerce/digital business skills with an international perspective
  • Industry-recognized professional credentials in areas such as international trade (FITT) and professional selling (CPSA)

In the first two semesters, you learn key concepts and workplace-related skills needed to build a successful business career. In the second year, you focus on specific international business topics and complete a highly sought after domestic or international internship (normally paid by the employer) to give you hands-on work experience that will help you successfully transition to the workplace. Most students receive jobs quickly after graduation and those who decide to pursue further studies do so with more confidence in their strengths and career interests.

Co-operative education

  • This program is eligible for an optional cooperative education credit course between year one and two.
  • Co-op provides an opportunity for paid employment – in a field related to your program.
  • Opportunities are full-time work placements that last 12 to 16 weeks.
  • Our co-op program follows Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) guidelines.
  • For more information visit Work Experience Opportunities.

Internship

  • You participate in a domestic or international internship, giving you hands-on experience.
    • Opportunities are paid work placements taking place during the final term of the program and last approximately 14 weeks.

Choose NSCC

  • The NSCC Advanced Diploma in International Business has a reputation for being one of the most innovative and useful post-secondary business programs in Nova Scotia and was acknowledged as such by the Nova Scotia Business Journal.
  • You earn a selling skills certificate from the Canadian Professional Sales Association (a program bonus that will give you a wider range of career options). You're ready to pursue the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation after graduation.
  • You learn from experienced, industry-connected instructors.
  • Courses are highly practical in nature, with industry guest speakers, company visits, applied project work, internet business training and networking opportunities in industries of interest.

Availability

Seats are available for domestic applicants only. International applicants will be waitlisted.

September 2023

Campus Full time/part time Delivery Availability
Truro Campus
Truro
Full time In person
Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.
Seats available

Admission requirements

  • Successful completion of Business Administration – Year 1 or equivalent study at a post-secondary level or High School Graduation Diploma plus related work experience in economics, marketing and accounting or advanced standing.

Program requirements

  • Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2023-24 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition (Domestic):
$3,620
Tuition (International):
$11,690

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for college services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

Career options

  • Many graduates have jobs by graduation. Employers appreciate how graduates are ready to go to work with very little ramp-up time and students are often hired from their internships.
  • Graduates are working in a variety of sectors in a range of positions, such as marketing and sales, international sales, operations and logistics and ecommerce.

Future study options

  • You're ready to pursue the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation after graduation (additional fees apply for this certification)
  • Continue your studies at university – This program includes courses that count towards a university degree. Find out more

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

COMM 2215 - Communications - Workplace Applications
This course explores the detailed and specialized messages that are part of the current workplace. The course will give students the opportunity to research, format, and write targeted messages such as reports and letters. The course also prepares students for the job search.

ENTR 4000 - Applied Entrepreneurship
This course is designed so students can apply the basic principles of accounting, management, marketing and finance to the establishment and development of a small business. Emphasis is on planning and future management of the small business, including topics such as starting new firms, purchasing existing firms, franchising, entrepreneurship, personnel, and marketing. Students will use various methods including research, case analysis, and interviews to acquire the necessary skills and techniques to develop a business plan.

FITT 4102 - International Marketing
The International Marketing course guides the student through the steps needed to prepare for selling products and services to the international customer. A review of the principles of marketing, market research, as well as political, legal, regulatory and cultural considerations relating to international marketing is included. Pricing, promotional and e-marketing strategies as they relate to the international market are also discussed. One of the most important tools for achieving international success is a well-researched and evolving international marketing plan. This course will assist the student to prepare an effective international marketing plan for a customer or organization.

FITT 4103 - International Trade Finance
Through the study of International Trade Finance, the student will develop the practical skills needed by world-class trade professionals to handle the financing aspects of international trade transactions.

FITT 4104 - Global Supply Chain Management
This course focuses on the essential basics of global supply chain management. The student will understand the importance of supply chain management in the success of all international trade ventures, including the exporting and importing of raw materials and finished products. Standard trade documentation and Incoterms are also covered. As well as the principles for managing production, inventory, delivery and returns efficiently and cost effectively. Methods to reduce supply chain risk and enhance performance are also included.

FITT 4105 - International Market Entry and Distribution
This course focuses on how to evaluate market entry strategies and how to select a strategy that is appropriate to the proposed venture(s). While examining possible entry strategies, students will develop a better understanding of the roles that investment and partnering play in facilitating international trade activities.

FITT 4106 - International Trade Research
This course describes the essential basics of international trade research. It explains the importance of research in the success of all international trade ventures, including exporting, importing and foreign direct investments. The use of research to develop intelligence about international markets and competing organizations is also covered. The various stages of a professional research process are discussed in some depth, including: defining research objectives; creating a research brief; selecting research design and data sources; collecting the information; analyzing and organizing the information to address the research objectives and effectively communicating the results.

FITT 4107 - Legal Aspects of International Trade
This course reviews the basic legal principles applicable to any businessperson or corporation carrying on the many differing activities that comprise a Canadian business venture. Included is an overview of the Canadian legal system, Canadian laws of contract, intellectual property, product liability, and sale of goods. It also addresses business transactions in an international setting including the resolution of international disputes, legal aspects of carriage of goods, payment, finance, and export controls.

INTB 3010 - World Geography for Business
This course provides an introduction to physical and human geography in the context of the global business market. The evolving political, economic and social landscape of various regions and countries affect our everyday life today, more than ever before. Driven by transportation advances, fast and easy access to information and technology advances such as e-commerce, competition comes from new areas of our world and is predicted to continue to intensify. Consumer trends circle the globe at lightning speed, and many customers possess impressive world knowledge via overseas travel and online learning options. Global alliances are also becoming more commonplace and are affecting the way businesses operate all over the world. In this course, the learner is required to research countries and regions to better understand the issues that shape their identity and that influence their geographic, political, economic and social relationships. Further study investigates regional and national strengths, sociocultural uniqueness and contemporary issues of significance to the global business professional.

INTB 3050 - International Business: Professionalism and Project Management
Students in this course will learn about various career options in international business while they apply, enhance and refine team skills and take part in a large project. The semester long project will involve trips to exporting businesses, visits from guest speakers, networking with program alumni and other related activities. Mainly this course focuses on exposing learners to various types of international business and various roles within those businesses while also give participants an opportunity to be exposed to fundamental project planning skills.

INTB 3101 - Introduction to International Business
This course provides a comprehensive overview of key aspects of global business in the 21st century. It allows the student to understand the key forces driving the international economy and it also provides a basic introduction to the skills required of successful international trade practitioners in today’s global business environment.

INTB 3205 - International Business Culture
This course provides learners with an introduction to the cultural diversity of the global marketplace. The course will emphasize the geographical perspective in the investigation and analysis of the major culture realms with the aim of providing learners with key concepts and analytic processes so that they will be able to research potential markets in a cultural context.

INTB 4206 - Exporter Support and Online Operations
This course provides learners with a solid introduction to the resources available to help exporters access foreign markets. Learners will also become familiar with new technologies that enable international business website operations and key concepts that support international online financial transactions and e-business.

INTB 5450 - Independent Applied Research Lab
This course provides the learner with the opportunity to expand his/her skills and knowledge in an area of international business that is of personal interest. The subject matter to be learned is chosen by the learner and agreed upon by the instructor based on the needs of the individual learner.

INTB 5997 - Internship
For the learner your Internship experience is an opportunity to put your knowledge and skills to the test and to prove to yourself and your employer(s) that you are a capable and motivated employee. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, initiative, attitude, and you willingness to seek out and take advantage of opportunities to learn from your co-workers and supervisors. You are also an ambassador for Nova Scotia Community College and for other students who follow you. The best advertising for the Internship program is a satisfied employer who wants another good Intern just like the last one.

MGMT 3020 - Applied Ethical Decision Making
This course introduces the student to the ethical dimensions of decision making. While concentrating on workplace decisions, consideration for personal values and ethics will form a foundation for this course. Four areas of study are: personal values and ethics, business ethics, ethical issues related to the professional area of study, and creating ethical workplace relationships with various stakeholders. There will be an emphasis on the application of theories, concepts and principles to contemporary business issues. Students who successfully complete MGMT 3020, LEGL 2000, and BUSI 3000 may choose to be exempt from BUSI 3005.

PSAL 2015 - Professional Selling
The main focus of this course is selling skills which are advantageous in the work force. Many of these skills are introduced through theory and practice. Learners will use these skills in virtually any profession they enter. This course introduces consultative selling techniques to develop strategies and tactics that “get, keep and grow” customers. Learners can receive a certificate from the Canadian Professional Association (CPSA) for successfully completing the “Professional Selling” course, and other specific courses in the Business Administration program.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.

SCMA 2000 - Procurement and Supply Management
This course focuses on matters and issues of strategic and tactical importance in procurement. The course explores key business processes that support organizations procurement objectives at both the strategic and tactical level. The course will examine key procurement processes and activities including make-buy decisions, supplier evaluation and selection, price & cost analysis, and eProcurement on the basis of theories, models, and industry practice. The course is designed to expose learners to various fundamental theories, models and ideas and to promote a better understanding of how these theories, models and ideas are applied in actual business situations.

In addition to their required courses, as a requirement of graduation for the International Business Advanced Diploma, learners must complete one (1) unit from a prescribed list of courses.

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