How Do I Get a Degree in International Trade?

Earning a degree in international trade usually involves deciding on an undergraduate or graduate degree program and then studying such subjects as business, economics, and finance. As part of this type of degree program, you also might study political science, money exchanges, trade laws, negotiation, and trade technology. Additionally, studies of foreign languages and cultures are often required.

The first thing to decide, when you want to earn a degree in international trade, is which level degree you want. On an undergraduate level, you can seek an associate's or a bachelor's degree — associate's degree programs typically last for about two years and bachelor's degree programs last for about four. A master's degree program often requires an additional two-year commitment to education after you have earned a bachelor's degree, and a doctorate program may require a few more years after earning a master's, depending on the program.

Course requirements for earning a degree in international trade will typically depend on the college at which you seek an education. In most cases, however, you will study a range of topics related to business and economics. You will likely also study international matters as they pertain to finance and business laws. In most cases, you will also study foreign languages and cultures as part of this type of degree program. The number of languages you will study and the particular languages you have to learn may depend on the jurisdiction in which you plan to study and will also vary from school to school.

You will probably study many of the same subjects in an associate's degree program as you will in a bachelor's program. Your studies, however, will likely prove more comprehensive with a bachelor's degree as well as more in depth. Additionally, you may find landing a job easier with a bachelor's degree rather than an associate's degree.

If you want to earn a master's or doctoral degree in international trade, you will typically have to earn a four-year degree as a prerequisite, and many schools will prefer admission candidates with degrees in such subjects as business or economics. Degrees in finance are usually acceptable as well. In most cases, this type of program will last for about two years, during which you will likely study such topics as international economics, investment banking, global business negotiations, money and exchange rates, and changes in technology that might affect international trade. You may also study political science and foreign languages as part of a graduate program. Doctoral programs typically require research and the completion of a thesis prior to graduation as well.