FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS国際教養学部

What is IBE?

The International Business and Economics (IBE) major offers a unique opportunity for students to study both business and economics in a single major. The IBE program allows students to develop the strong skill sets required for employment in a wide range of fields. Students first build solid foundations by taking fundamental courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, management, marketing, accounting and statistics and then acquire advanced knowledge skills in the area of their interest with courses such as international trade, international finance, financial management, industrial organization and consumer behavior. Class lectures often involve in-class discussions, group assignments, and frequent interactions with students of diverse background from all over the world. The program thus enables students to experience a fully international, multicultural environment, which in turn allows them to make the smooth transition from college education to the international workplace. In addition, the flexible nature of the FLA program allows students to immerse themselves in classes outside of IBE – like anthropology and religion – while taking up a foreign language and/or studying in other faculties at Sophia.

IBE Students

Students majoring in IBE come from diverse backgrounds but share an interest in problem solving, working with numbers, and interpersonal skills. IBE students acquire knowledge in specialized IBE fields but also develop the ability to effectively communicate their views. By developing these skills in class, and in addition to the critical thinking skills, language skills and multicultural sensibilities gained during college years, IBE students’ qualities are highly sought after by potential employers. Graduates of IBE have gone on to work in Japanese and foreign companies in a range of industries. Some have continued to advanced studies in graduate programs all over the world.

IBE Faculty

IBE Faculty professors hold wide-ranging expertise, and bring experience from educational and working backgrounds in Japan and abroad.  All Faculty members hold PhDs or MBAs and are highly active researchers in their respective fields. Such research expertise is brought to the classroom, ensuring all classes are taught to the highest international university standard.

Degree requirements

The IBE major requires students to complete 48 credits from either business or economics related courses. The students must include the following courses in the 48 credits:

1. IBE 200 and IBE201
2. five IBE300 level courses 
3. three IBE400 level courses and
4. two additional IBE courses or cross-listed courses offered by the Faculty of Economics.