Walsh School of Foreign Service
IBD
IBD

Honors Certificate

The Landegger Program in International Business Diplomacy is the honors certificate program at the SFS that offers students the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary course of study that complements their academic interests and degree. We deliver to a select number of honors students a rigorous academic program that emphasizes the role of business in the international arena.

Honors students who choose to participate in the program link their studies in international affairs with a foundation in finance, accounting, data science and business-government relations. The program also integrates coursework in global business strategy, business ethics, global investment, ESG investment, project finance, political risk analysis, and entrepreneurship. Landegger Program classes combine an intensive case method approach to global corporate operations with an analysis of key economic and political issues in international trade, finance, and investment.

Within the Walsh School of Foreign Service, this multidisciplinary program offers a bridge between the undergraduate majors. At the graduate level, Landegger offers a bridge between degree programs and concentrations and graduate schools (MSFS, GSFS Regional Studies Programs, CCTP, and the Law School).

Learning Goals for the Honors Certificate include:

  • A thorough understanding of major principles, theories, and public policy issues relating to the role of international business in an interdependent world political economy.
  • A basic command of applied accounting and finance skills needed in business transactions.
  • A basic command of data science and visualization principles.
  • Skills development in: critical thinking and analysis; ability to understand important elements in current and emerging policy issues; formulation of actionable policy recommendations; formulation of corporate strategy; political and economic risk assessment capability; oral briefing and presentation capability; and, effective team dynamics through group work and role-play scenarios.

ADMISSIONS

The International Business Diplomacy Program is an academic honors program of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. Students who want to be considered for full admission as honors candidates in the IBD Program should be enrolled in a full-time degree program within the School of Foreign Service or CCT Program. Joint-degree students are eligible so long as part of their degree is conferred by the School of Foreign Service or an approved GSAS or Law School program (listed above). Qualifying students enter the program through an application process offered each semester. Undergraduate students are welcome to apply to the program as early as the spring semester of their sophomore year and as late as their penultimate semester (typically the fall semester of their senior year). Graduate students are welcome to apply to the program during any semester before their final semester. The application opens once in the fall (typically September 15-October 15) and once in the spring (typically February 15-March 15). As of Fall 2022, students cannot enter the program through an A or A- in their foundational (f/k/a gateway) course and must apply in order to be considered for the program.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES

  1. Fulfillment of the Honors Certificate Program requires a minimum of six qualifying courses (18 credits), with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 including:

2. All students must also pass a proficiency examination in at least one foreign language.

BSFS Candidates: Double counting between majors and the IBD certificate is limited to no more than two classes per major. All majors will allow double counting of two classes.

CCT candidates: In order to fulfill the honors certificate requirement, CCT candidates are limited to counting two courses (6 credits) of approved IBD electives offered in the CCT Program. The remaining four courses (12 credits) must be taken from the IBD approved courses offered within the SFS, the MSB, or McCourt. The compulsory accounting and finance course, data science course, and foundational course are included in this four course series.

Students accepted into the Honors Certificate Program as Candidates will be required to submit documentation which includes a Candidate Record Form, a current updated resume, and a current digital photograph.

Candidates should ensure that their Candidate Record Form and other required documentation (resume and photo) is on file with the Landegger Program Office and that contact information and course information is up to date.

Prior to graduation, all graduating candidates will be asked to participate in an Employment Survey and an Exit Interview Survey. Graduating candidates will be given the opportunity to sign up for exit interviews beginning in April of their graduating year.

Additional Opportunities for IBD Honors Candidates

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Wallenberg International Fellows Program

Open for all IBD master level candidates wanting to pursue a fellowship including a fully funded summer abroad in Stockholm, Sweden.

Learn more about WIFP

Global Business Fellows

An undergraduate track open to IBD candidates wanting to gain access to courses in the McDonough School of Business.

Learn more about GBF
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