International Studies or International Business? How to Choose the Right Major For YOU

By Dr. Keith M. Gehring
Teaching Associate Professor

If you're passionate about global issues and want an internationally focused career, you've likely come across two degree options at DU: International Studies at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs (Korbel) and International Business at the Daniels College of Business. While both prepare you for success in our interconnected world, they take distinctly different approaches.

In A Nutshell

What Is International Studies?
International Studies (INTS) is a 44-credit Bachelor of Arts within Korbel that examines the political, economic, and social forces shaping global affairs. Students develop expertise in areas like international security, global health, human rights, environmental policy, or the politics of the global economy. The program emphasizes critical analysis, research skills, and real-world application through a required study abroad experience.

What Is International Business?
International Business (BSBA) is a 40-credit major within the Daniels College of Business that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. This program combines International Studies coursework with business courses in multinational finance, international marketing, global management, and international business law. Students complete the full business core curriculum alongside their international focus.

What's the difference between International Studies and International Business?
While on the surface they may seem similar, these are fundamentally different degrees. The BA in International Studies provides a liberal arts foundation with depth in global affairs, while the BSBA is a professional business degree with an international application.

The core distinction comes down to perspective and scope. International Business focuses on applying business principles in international contexts, with coursework in areas like multinational finance, international marketing, and global management. International Studies encompasses economic dimensions through the Politics of the Global Economy specialization, but also extends into domains outside the business curriculum: security and conflict, human rights and governance, global health and development, environmental sustainability, and emerging technology policy.

International Studies students choose from six specializations: Global Health and Development, Global Governance and Human Rights, Global Environmental Sustainability, Global Peace and Security, Politics of the Global Economy, and Technology and Global Affairs. This flexibility allows students to pursue focused expertise while building a foundation in international politics and economics through courses like the Global Issues Research Practicum.

International Business students complete a structured curriculum combining INTS coursework with core business classes in multinational finance, international marketing, global management, and international business law.

International Studies vs. International Business: Career Paths Compared
Career paths diverge accordingly. International Studies graduates pursue careers in diplomacy, international development, policy analysis, intelligence, NGOs, and global governance. As such, they find opportunities with government agencies, not-for-profits, as well as multinational firms. Many continue to graduate programs in international affairs, law, or public policy. Conversely, International Business graduates typically pursue careers that apply business training in international settings, primarily for multinational firms but potentially other entities as well.

Here's something worth noting: The International Business major requires 20 credits of International Studies coursework, including core courses INTS 1500 and INTS 1700. Even business students focused on global commerce need the foundation that Korbel provides in understanding international politics and the global economy. This speaks to how essential the International Studies perspective is for anyone working across borders.

DU It All: At DU

Both programs leverage DU's global resources, but International Studies students benefit from Korbel’s distinctive advantages. Named for the father of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Korbel is consistently ranked in the top 20 schools of international affairs. Undergraduate INTS students study alongside graduate students pursuing careers in diplomacy and international policy, gaining access to world-class faculty and programming. Further, the INTS degree requires a second major or minor, generally within the wider BA degree. Potential options follow:

Complementary Majors and Minors for International Studies

Key Takeaways

Choose International Studies if you want to:

• Understand the forces driving global politics, conflict, and cooperation
• Work in diplomacy, development, policy, or international organizations
• Study abroad and develop cross-cultural understanding
• Specialize in areas like security, human rights, global health, or climate policy
• Access graduate-level resources at a top-ranked school of international affairs
• Build lifelong friendships with peers and faculty

Choose International Business if you want to:

• Combine a business education with an international focus
• Earn a BSBA with coursework in global management, finance, and marketing
• Complete the Daniels business core curriculum
• Apply business principles in international contexts

Why International Studies at Korbel?
International Studies at Korbel offers something unique: the opportunity to study global affairs at an undergraduate level while immersed in a graduate-level environment. Our students don't just learn about international relations in a classroom. They engage with visiting diplomats, attend policy briefings, participate in simulations, and study abroad to experience global challenges firsthand.

The Korbel School's faculty includes former ambassadors, policy practitioners, and leading scholars who bring real-world expertise to every course. Small class sizes ensure meaningful mentorship and professional relationships that extend beyond graduation.

In a world facing complex transnational challenges, from climate change to cybersecurity to migration, leaders need more than business acumen. They need to understand how political systems, international institutions, and global forces shape the context in which all organizations operate. International Studies provides that critical foundation.

If you're ready to prepare for a career shaping our interconnected world, we'd love to talk with you about International Studies at Korbel.

Contact the Korbel Undergraduate Team:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (303) 871-6451