Certificate

International Business

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Explore cutting edge research, insights and practical tools to successfully navigate and lead business in emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and South and Central America.

Next start date: May 1

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Designed to keep your skills in demand

Flexible

Complete in your own time, on your own terms – in as little as 6 months from . Start on the first of the next month.

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Practical

Our certificates enable you to succeed in today's most in-demand fields. Apply your new skills from day one at work.

Sharable

Master the skills employers are looking for and put your accomplishments in the spotlight with certificates you'll be proud to share.

Valuable

Our intuitive learning experience focuses entirely on you – so you master valuable real-world skills, fast.

International Business: certificate with four courses

Learn about the most populated regions on earth, and track the expansion of middle income earners. Discover how changing demographics and political climates affect business. Then, apply your skills in practical case studies.

  • Business and Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Business and Culture in Sub-Saharan Africa examines the position of sub-Saharan Africa within the global economy and how it is leapfrogging development in certain areas. This course covers sub-Saharan Africa’s history, civic culture, and public, private, and for-profit sectors providing learners with the unique and complex components of the region’s past, present, and potential on the world economic stage. Through the lens of various stakeholders—those internal and external to business enterprises and those who engage in market-based and non-market-based transactions to influence business—learners acquire a practical literacy which prepares them to engage in business within and among African employers, employees, and business partners. Learners gain an understanding of the specific drivers of economic growth and opportunity that exist across Sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on Nigeria, Ghana, Angola and Ethiopia.

  • Business and Culture in India

    Business and Culture in India examines how a culturally rich India continues to evolve on the world stage as an economic power. This course examines how these two aspects intersect at every point, from the very history of the region's birth to the current state and looking forward to the future. Through the lens of various stakeholders—those internal and external to business enterprises and those who engage in market-based and non-market-based transactions to influence business—students will acquire a practical literacy which prepares them to engage in business within and among Indian employers, employees, and business partners. Learners gain an understanding of the specific drivers of economic growth and opportunity that exist in India.

  • Business and Culture in Southeast Asia

    Business and Culture in Southeast Asia examines the position of Southeast Asia within the global economy, with a particular focus on the three largest economies: Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. This course covers Southeast Asia’s history, civic culture, and public, private, and for-profit sectors providing learners with the unique and complex components of the region’s past, present, and potential on the world economic stage. Through the lens of various stakeholders—those internal and external to business enterprises and those who engage in market-based and non-market-based transactions to influence business—learners will acquire a practical literacy which prepares them to engage in business within and among Southeast Asian employers, employees, and business partners. Learners gain an understanding of the specific drivers of economic growth and opportunity that exist in Southeast Asia.

  • Business and Culture in China

    Business and Culture in China examines the position of China within the global economy and how it is leapfrogging development in some areas. This course covers China’s history, civic culture, and public, private, and for-profit sectors, providing learners with the unique and complex components of China’s past, present, and potential on the world economic stage.

    Through the lens of various stakeholders—those internal and external to business enterprises and those who engage in market-based and non-market-based transactions to influence business—learners acquire a practical literacy which prepares them to engage in business within and among Chinese employers, employees, and business partners. Learners gain an understanding of the specific drivers of economic growth and opportunity in China.

Business administrationBusiness operationsBusiness lawIntercultural SkillsEmpathyCommunication Skills

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Raise your cultural IQ in emerging markets

  • Apply international and cultural awareness in a business context and show that you’re more than a generalist
  • Build soft skills of the future like critical and creative thinking
  • Gain a competitive edge in a fast-changing world with hard skills like digital fluency and business analysis
  • Make informed business decisions, and lead with confidence: 94% of Nexford learners increased in confidence at work
  • Build a network of global professionals from 110+ countries working at firms like Google, Deloitte, and EY
  • Earn a degree as well as digital badges as you go – including credentials from LinkedIn Learning

I got attracted to Nexford because I was looking for an online program that is flexible. I’m not someone who is a traditional person. I’m not a traditional learner. I like to learn at my own pace. And I like to learn hands-on.

Victoria Abia

Current BBA learner, Nigeria

Demonstrate skills with stackable credentials

Nexford’s curriculum is designed to equip you with a competency-based education (CBE). Competencies are skills and abilities – the things you need to know and be able to do. CBE is a program of study based on the mastery of specific skills tied to careers.

The best part? Our stacked credential model means that you can start with a certificate and fold those into a larger degree. You can even earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree while working towards achieving a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. So, even if you start small, you’re on your way to a degree!

This means that you are continuously rewarded with additional credentials, and at no extra cost.

Gain skills you will use in your career tomorrow

Your certificate starts on the first of the month. Each course consists of six modules, each module will take you one week to complete and each course is designed to take you eight weeks to complete. Nexford’s learning design team has purposefully created courses to equip you with competencies mapped to the skills employers are looking for. Each course has 5-7 learning outcomes based on the skills employers need. Everything you learn gives you measurable skills you will use to succeed in today’s world of work.

The online learning environment contains everything you need to learn at Nexford. The courses are not live or recorded lectures. Instead, they’re reading, videos, interactive elements, quizzes and relevant case studies. Programs include assessments, peer-to-peer discussions, and a final project to practice what you’ve learned in a real-world context. Program content is available 24/7 during the course, and you have opportunities for collaboration and networking with learners during and after your program. Our global community of learners work at top companies such as Microsoft, Deloitte, and Google. Plus, you get a Microsoft 365 license at no extra cost.

You'll have 24/7 access to success advisors to support you. Faculty also provide you world-class support. Book appointments with them, get individual feedback, and attend regular optional webinars. Nexford courses are rigorous and they encourage critical thinking - because we care about what you know how to do not what you know you have regular hands-on assessments reflecting the business world.

We’re no ordinary university! We make things simple so you can focus on what’s important: your goals! At Nexford, you can start learning straight away and send us your documents later (in exceptional circumstances). If you’re unable to immediately provide us with your transcript or diploma, you can just upload your government-issued ID and pay your application fee.

What happens next? After your first course starts, you’ll have 60 days from enrollment start date to send us your missing information, such as a diploma or grade transcript.

  • We need proof of your graduation. For intermediate certificates (undergraduate level), this can either be your high school graduation or college graduation. Alternatively, proof of your General Educational Development certificate (GED) or equivalent exam, such as HiSET or TASC: valid copies of your official diploma and transcript in English. For advanced certificates (graduate level), we need proof that you completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution with a valid copy of your official diploma and transcript in English.
    Documents not in English must be accompanied by official translations, such as those provided by a validated institutional official or embassy.
  • To be considered for admission as English Language Proficient to Nexford University undergraduate/graduate programs, you’ll need to provide one of these:
    1. An official transcript from a high school or equivalent certificate (e.g. HiSET, TASC, etc.)
    2. A minimum passing score on an approved English qualification exam within the past two years

Apply now

At Nexford, you can earn a certificate for as little as $105 per month. We adjust tuition to your local market, meaning a low monthly tuition for a quality program.

There’s no upfront cost, and you can cancel any time.

Fixed monthly tuition means the faster you finish, the more money you’ll save. Take more than one course and you could earn your certificate in as little as 6 months.

Check our tuition page to see how much you’ll pay per month for your certificate.

Lack of education is the root cause of most global challenges. We need a new approach. Nexford is one of the most affordable American universities in the world. We’re not ordinary.

Have questions? Speak to a Nexford Application Specialist

Our community feedback says it all

of alumni stated they received a positive return on investment

98%

of learners would recommend Nexford

of alumni felt prepared to solve organizational challenges

What support will I receive?

When you have a dedicated team on your side, you'll never be alone studying at Nexford. Hailing from many different countries and with online education expertise, our faculty provides you world-class support. Ask them questions during one-to-one office hours or live chat, email them any time, and get individual feedback on your assessments.

At Nexford though, you'll do more than just learn. Alongside your studies, you'll receive access to all of our career services: beginning when you enroll, and ending... well, never.

From early career planning to personal branding to job applications, we'll be alongside you every step of your program. Even after you've graduated our support doesn't stop, as we'll continue to bring you lifelong learning opportunities — including LinkedIn Learning & the Nexford Digital Library.

Your career success is at the heart of everything we do. Discover our career services, and see how you'll come away from Nexford with more than just a certificate. 

Request information about Nexford’s online programs

Select which program you’re interested in, and submit your details to learn more about Nexford's fully online programs — a Nexford Application Specialist will then be in touch.

Certificates FAQs

Undergraduate certificates

Proof of identity

A photo or scan of a government-issued form of identification and a passport-style photo or selfie.


Proof of graduation

This can be either your high school graduation, or college graduation. Alternatively, proof of your General Educational Development certificate (GED) or equivalent exam, such as HiSET or TASC: valid copies of your official diploma and transcript in English. If your documents are not in English, don’t worry our team will get them translated. If you do not have an official translation readily available, we’ll handle it for you!

We offer a translation service at no cost. This simplifies the process for you, so you can concentrate on finding your documents. Just leave the translation to us.

English proficiency

If you’ve graduated from an institution where the primary language of instruction was English, we will rely on your transcript to prove English proficiency.

If your prior education was not in English, we’ll need to confirm English proficiency as part of our process to ensure you’re equipped to succeed at Nexford.

To be considered for admission as English Language Proficient to Nexford University undergraduate programs, applicants must complete one of the following:

  1. Provide Nexford with an official transcript from a high school (or of their General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent certificate e.g. HiSET, TASC, etc)
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in English language by achieving at least a minimum passing score on an approved English qualification exam within the past two years, by submitting an official score report during the admission process. (See Minimum Score Required for English Proficiency section)

Note: Admission Officers may request alternative supporting materials that might assist the university in certifying the applicant’s English proficiency status. All outcomes based on the supporting materials provided, will remain within the learners record according to the university records retention policy.

Minimum score required for English proficiency

You will need one of the following:

Undergraduate Degree
English Proficiency QualificationMinimum Score Required
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Paper-based Test (PBT)57
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)61
International English Language Testing System (iELTS)6.0
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic Test44
Eiken English Proficiency ExamPre-1
Duolingo English Test95
Exams identified within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)B-2


Graduate certificates

Proof of identity

A photo or scan of a government-issued form of identification and a passport-style photo or selfie.


Transcript

We need proof that you completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution with a valid copy of your official diploma and transcript in English. If your documents are not in English, don’t worry our team will get them translated. If you do not have an official translation readily available, we’ll handle it for you!

We offer a translation service at no cost. This simplifies the process for you, so you can concentrate on finding your documents. Just leave the translation to us.

We may ask you to certify that your undergraduate degree meets the university’s qualification standard and refer you to an external agency to evaluate your credit.

English proficiency

If you’ve graduated from an institution where the primary language of instruction was English, we will rely on your transcript to prove English proficiency.

If your prior education was not in English, we’ll need to confirm English proficiency as part of our process to ensure you’re equipped to succeed at Nexford.

To be considered for admission as English Language Proficient to Nexford University graduate programs, applicants must complete one of the following:

  1. Provide Nexford with an official transcript from a college or university
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in English language by achieving at least a minimum passing score on an approved English qualification exam within the past two years, by submitting an official score report during the admission process. (See Minimum Score Required for English Proficiency section)

Note: Admission Officers may request alternative supporting materials that might assist the university in certifying the applicant’s English proficiency status. All outcomes based on the supporting materials provided, will remain within the learners record according to the university records retention policy.

Minimum score required for English proficiency

You will need one of the following:

Graduate Degree
English Proficiency QualificationMinimum Score Required
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Paper-based Test (PBT)60
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)71
International English Language Testing System (iELTS)6.5
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic Test50
Eiken English Proficiency ExamPre-1
Duolingo English Test100
Exams identified within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)B-2



Each certificate has a number of courses, and each course should be finished in a set timeframe.

You have eight weeks to complete each course. Nexford is 100% online, which means you can log in when it suits you.

While you're learning, your personal Success Advisor will help you stay on track.

We are a licensed, degree-granting institution of higher education. We’re licensed by the Higher Education Licensure Commission in Washington DC. All institutions of higher education are licensed by the Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC).


Nexford University is accredited in the US by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).


For more information on our licensing and accreditation, visit www.nexford.edu/accreditation

Each university sets its own credit transfer policy. To find out whether a specific school or university will transfer credit from your Nexford coursework, you should reach out to their admissions’ or registrar’s office to inquire.

Yes, all Nexford courses and certificates are credit bearing.

Don't want to commit to a full degree? Learn the skills you need in a fraction of the time with a course or certificate.

Courses let you learn one specific area of business, at a level that suits you (undergraduate or graduate).

Certificates are built as a series of courses so you'll gain a collection of skills you can use. Finish a certificate in 3-6 months (the time it takes depends on how many courses you take).

As well as an official diploma, you'll get a series of badges you can add to your LinkedIn profile.

As well as this, you'll get a series of skills you can use at work (or at jobs in the future).

Nexford's learning experience is unlike any other. Think engaging, interactive online learning that helps you gain the skills you need – fast.


Our online learning environment contains everything you need to learn at Nexford. It's where you'll take courses, chat with peers, submit assignments, receive feedback, track your grades, and access your faculty's calendars to book one-on-one sessions. It's also where you'll manage your enrollment, add courses, and pay your tuition.


You'll get access to your modules through Canvas, a learning management platform, and you can even take your learning wherever you go with the Canvas mobile app. Module materials include reading, videos, interactive elements, quizzes, and relevant case studies. 


Live lectures are done by faculty once every two weeks or more often. Don't worry, these sessions are entirely optional, and you don't have to wait for them to progress in your learning or course — everything you need to complete your projects, assignments, or assessments is available through your modules.


Assessments are weekly, and you must meet assessment and project deadlines to progress seamlessly. We recommend you allocate a minimum of 15-20 hours per week to your learning at your most convenient time to achieve this. If you need additional support, our Learner Success team is available 24/7. They will also help you with transitioning to online studies, creating your study timeline, and goal setting.


Overwhelmed? Don't be! You'll get a full tour of the learning environment during orientation. You're in safe hands with us.

Everyone at Nexford benefits from our system of support. Our dedicated team of faculty is available by appointment to answer questions, discuss content, and help you meet your goals within your course. Additionally, our advisors are available 24/7 to provide guidance and support whenever you need it.


You also have the option to attend orientation, which is a great way to get familiar with the online learning environment. Access your dashboard and take your six orientation modules to understand where you'll take courses, view your grades, and explore your resources.

Not necessarily! You can enroll in a certificate without having a degree. But if you're enrolling in an Graduate certificate, you may struggle if you don't have enough business experience. That's why we recommend people work in their field for a few years before they enroll in an Graduate certificate.

Instead, enroll in an Undergraduate certificate to get a solid grounding in the topic you choose!

No. Relevant work experience is helpful, but not required.

If you're advanced in your field, you should choose from Graduate certificates.

If you're just starting out, or want to reskill in another area, choose from Undergraduate certificates.