Bachelor of Arts in Management

A minimum of 120 U.S. credit hours consisting of the following: a minimum of 79-91 required U.S. credit hours of major coursework (see below); a minimum of 30 U.S. credit hours from the Global Citizenship Program; and up to 11 U.S. credit hours of electives.

Purpose and Scope

This Study Plan and Regulations lays out the specifications of the program Bachelor of Arts in Management (BA) with an Emphasis in International Business, including the profile and learning outcomes, the structure of the curricula, program development and the criteria for admission and conferment of a degree.

This study plan and regulations is applicable to all students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business starting on or after Sept. 1, 2021. It pertains to the degree (BA) offered by WVPU which is accredited by the Agency for quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria in accordance with the Private Universities Act §2 and §3(1). The requirements for U.S.-accredited degrees conferred by Webster University based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA may vary slightly. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor for details.

Overview Table

Profile and Learning Outcomes

WVPU’s Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business program comprehensively examines aspects of managerial work and decision-making providing students with the necessary skills and competencies to effectively manage people, analyze management problems, develop sound and ethical business practices, and communicate effectively within the context of operating on an international or global scale. The program’s Emphasis in international business means that students learn about the dynamics of globalization, the organization and strategic planning of multinational and transnational organizations, foreign subsidiary coordination and control, marketing for foreign markets, and special human resource issues such as cross-cultural management and expatriate employees. As a result, they gain key insights into the economic forces that drive international markets and the complexities of trade barriers, standardization/adaptation, and foreign exchange markets.

As part of the program’s foundation in management, students undergo a rigorous program of scholarly and practical training in communication theories, organizational behavior dynamics, and critical thinking strategies that prepares them to assume management positions in international companies, undertake requisite levels of research, and proceed into more advanced studies. By learning how to seamlessly integrate theory into practice in order to manage people, processes and resources, students develop the skills to conceptualize, organize and defend innovative solutions to complex managerial challenges. Through exposure to and participation in faculty research, as well as interaction with an array of experts and prominent external lecturers, students gain valuable insight and practice into researching and analyzing the internal dynamics of an organization, its leadership, and its employees developing essential competencies as business professionals and scholar practitioners. They learn to work independently, collaborate with others and lead organizations in a sound, ethical and responsible manner befitting WVPU’s profile and objectives.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business program possess an in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of management and can therefore perform tasks at a very high professional level. They are critical, independent thinkers capable of collaboration and leadership, able to measure, analyze and drive growth and innovation within changing and diverse legal, social, economic, and global conditions. The program’s strong focus on research and analysis combined with consistent exposure to real- world cases ensures that its graduates can develop innovative approaches to solve known and unforeseen problems. They are thus fully qualified for the degree they earned, professionally ready to begin their careers and make a difference, and they possess the scholarly foundation necessary to pursue an advanced degree. As a result, many of the program’s graduates go on to successful careers in a wide range of international organizations, corporations, and sectors.

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this program will be able to:

1. Analyze, understand and evaluate how legal, social, economic and global issues affect business.
2. Integrate key theories to manage people, processes and resources in a diverse organization;
3. Use appropriate tools and technology to critically analyze and interpret key business information;
4. Apply concepts regarding ethics and corporate responsibility and how they impact managerial decisions
5. Build upon ambiguous and incomplete information to draft, support and defend innovative solutions to complex managerial challenges.
6. Explain the important terminology, facts, concepts, principles, analytic techniques and theories used in international business.
7. Identify and apply appropriate terminology, facts, concepts, principles, analytic techniques and theories used in international business when analyzing moderately complex situations.
8. Synthesize and integrate important concepts, principles and theories used in international business into solutions to moderately complex management problems.

The Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business program learning outcomes align closely with those of NQF Level VI in all areas of knowledge, skills and competence.

Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business Learning Outcomes

Curriculum Overview and Workload

The Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business curriculum is organized into five modules and a thesis (In order to earn the US Webster degree, students must satisfy a language requirement. The language requirement can be satisfied through coursework, by passing an intermediate level language competency exam or with the approval of the department head). The five modules include the Common Core Module (72 ECTS), two major-specific Foundation Modules (90 ECTS), a Discipline Enrichment Module (36 ECTS), and an Electives Module (34 ECTS). The program is concluded with the successful completion of a thesis (8 ECTS).

Full time students working toward the Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business will usually carry a course load of five courses per semester (30 ECTS). For most courses in the Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business program, a notable exception being the thesis and the career development components of the Discipline Enrichment Module, students attend 36 hours of courses and respectively conduct an additional 114 hours of self-learning.

Each of the core Competency Courses (CC), Discipline Courses (DC) and Enrichment Courses (EC) are offered on a regular basis, usually at least once a year. Full course descriptions, individual learning outcomes, details about ECTS, weekly study schedules, and assessment criteria are available in each course syllabus, available via WVPU’s publicly accessible course schedule.

Common Core Module (Up to 72 ECTS)

Please refer to the Bachelor's Degree Programs overview page for detailed information about the CCM. 

Foundation Modules – Management/International Business (90 ECTS)

Students are required to complete all courses (90 ECTS) in Foundation Modules 1 and 2.

Foundation Module 1 (72 ECTS)

Foundation Module 2 (18 ECTS)

Discipline Enrichment Module — Management/International Business (36 ECTS)

Students must successfully pass five courses (30 ECTS) in the area of international business (30 ECTS):

Students must successfully pass all 3 courses (6 ECTS) in the area of career development (6 ECTS):

Electives Module 1 — Management / International Business (24 ECTS)

Students must complete a total of 24 ECTS, 6 ECTS each from the disciplines History, International Relations, and Political Science (HIST, INTL, POLT):

and one additional course with an international topic from the list below:

Electives Module 2 (10 ECTS)

Students must choose at least 10 ECTS among any of WVPU’s course offerings.

Thesis (8 ECTS)

Roadmaps and Course Sequencing

Students working toward the Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business can complete the program in a minimum of 8 semesters. Curriculum in this program develops as students’ progress through their studies. For that reason, adhering to prescribed course sequencing is an essential component to success. The course syllabus or WVPU’s publicly accessible course schedule both list course prerequisites, if any. Additionally, each program roadmap denotes courses with prerequisites with an asterisk (*).

Advisors are available to assist students with degree planning to help ensure proper course sequencing. Though most students will adhere to their respective program roadmap, advisors can help develop individualized degree plans when the situation warrants deviation from the roadmap. Advisors must approve all course registration requests before they are processed. Advisors also consult on issues related to academic and career goals, and university resources.

The Business and Management Department reserves the right to waive or adjust course prerequisites as necessary.

Program Development and Enhancement

The Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business program is subject to WVPU’s systematic Internal Quality Management System that incorporates continuous measures and involves the Executive Board, academic department heads, and the University Senate. This ensures that its learning outcomes and the content of its curriculum impart advanced knowledge in the discipline while delivering the skills and competencies requisite for a bachelor’s degree. WVPU’s quality management processes include a triannual program review and assessment of learning outcomes, course evaluations, an annual review of academic polices and processes, semi-annual performance reviews with units and employees and collected stakeholder feedback through semi-annual meetings and surveys supported by the university’s internal information systems.

At the course level, each syllabus (including criteria and methods of assessment) is reviewed and approved by the department at least one semester prior to being published on the university’s course offerings, ensuring that learning outcomes are clearly stated and appropriately paired to the course’s content and assessment criteria. All students have access to the syllabus before the course begins, and in addition, faculty are required to review the syllabus on the first day of class. During the running of any course students interact with both the faculty member and the department’s administration alerting them to any problems that might arise and triggering procedures based on academic policies and procedures, particularly with reference to disputes between students and faculty.

The base selection of course offerings for any academic year is determined two years in advance through regular planning sessions. The process includes consultation with representatives of student government and incorporates additional student feedback through face-to-face meetings, town halls, and anonymous course evaluations. Teaching assignments pairing faculty to courses are completed one year in advance. Prior to assigning a course to a faculty member, the department head verifies the individual’s qualifications and experience as an instructor. Students evaluate all first-time instructors in the third week of their course to provide feedback and allow for corrective measures if necessary.

Other continuous processes also play an important role in sustaining and enhancing the integrity of the program. The university solicits semiannual student feedback on degree programs through student focus groups involving 30-minute structured dialogues at the start of selected courses. Additionally, the head of the department takes part in monthly video conferences with global partners to evaluate Business and Management programs, adding and shaping curricula and course content to meet WVPU student needs and national regulations while also integrating partner experiences from around the world. Department representatives participate in on-going process evaluation measures providing suggestions on how to improve subject relevancy, program competitiveness, research components, and technology to align with those used in international business, management, and marketing sectors.

Admission to the Study Program

Note: This BA program will be offered to new students only until Fall 2024.

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business program follows the General Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Programs.

Supplementary Requirements for Conferment of the Degree

WVPU confers the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts in Management with an Emphasis in International Business following the successful completion of all modules as stated in the Curriculum Overview and Workload and in accordance with the following rules:

1. Candidates must complete all modules (240 ECTS) as stated in section 4.1 Curriculum Overview.
2. Students must successfully earn 200 ECTS in residence at WVPU, including:

1. 1. all courses in the Common Core (72 ECTS)
   2. all courses in the Management with an Emphasis in International Business Foundation Modules (90 ECTS)
   3. 30 ECTS from the Discipline Enrichment Module
   4. a bachelor thesis (8 ECTS)
   5. all required courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better

The university reserves the right to approve and assign transferred credits as equivalencies to courses, which could result in fewer than 200 overall ECTS completed in residency.

WVPU Policies and Student Obligations

WVPU policies support and maintain the highest quality of education and service level for students. All students attending WVPU are obliged to adhere to university academic policies, including the Study and Examination Guidelines and the Code of Conduct. Students are solely responsible for familiarizing themselves with all applicable university policies and procedures including those dictating academic standards.

Students are also fully responsible for managing their degree progress in compliance with the curriculum. This includes, but is not limited to: ensuring schedule accuracy each semester, adhering to all registration and payment deadlines, proactively addressing any issues that may interfere with degree progress, exclusively using the university assigned email address for all academic-related correspondence, and observing course-specific deadlines and policies.

WVPU retains the right to update policies and procedures. Students will be informed of any such changes in a timely manner.

Business in today's digitally-connected world is increasingly global, and many of our management majors add an Emphasis in International Business with this in mind. Graduates bring their added international competence to opportunities in global organizations as development managers, human resource officers, program or account managers, and supply chain professionals — just to name a few. Moreover, employers seek out employees with critical-thinking skills, good decision-making capabilities and strong leadership skills, all elements of a degree at WVPU.