Complete Business Minor Abroad
NOW!!	Applications Open. Space is limited!!!
EXTENDED TO MARCH 7, 2025!!	Last day to SUBMIT an application through Auburn Abroad. Applications take about two weeks to complete so start ASAP.
MARCH 21, 2025	Last day to COMMIT to program through Auburn Abroad. NO LATE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED.
May (tentative), 2025	Auburn Study Abroad fee ($774) billed
May 12, 2025	Depart USA to arrive in Milan May 13
May 14, 2025	Orientation and tours in Milan
May 15–May 30, 2025	Course 1
June 2–June 20, 2025	Course 2
June 21–June 29, 2025	Summer Break
June 30–July 18, 2025	Course 3
July 21–Aug 8, 2025	Course 4
May 12-Aug 8, 2025	Course 5 (online)
Aug 9, 2025	Depart Milan to arrive in USA
Any time	Declare official Business Minor

 

In order to qualify for the Harbert Complete Business Minor Abroad Program, you must be a Sophomore-level or above (minimum 30 hours completed before the program begins), non-business major with a minimum of a 2.25 GPA who wants to complete a business minor that includes the following courses:

Required Courses:

• Fundamentals of Accounting—ACCT 2810*
• Foundations of Marketing—MKTG 3810
• Foundations of Business Management—MNGT 3810
• Foundations of Business Finance—FINC 3810
• International Business—BUSI 3250

*BUSI 4970 (Global Market Analysis - 3 hrs) or ECON 2030 (Macroeconomics - 3 hrs) can be substituted for ACCT 2810 if already taken.

You can apply to the program as early as your Freshman year, as long as you will have 30 credit hours or more prior to program start to participate in the abroad program

Due to the cohort nature of the program, you must apply and be accepted into the program to take any of these courses. Space is limited, so be sure to fill out the application as soon as possible. Business Minor administrators will enroll you in special sections of each course only available to this program.

You are required to enroll in and complete all 15 credit hours of coursework. Although the program is offered over the summer, the scheduling of courses is unique to this program.

In addition, Honors sections are available for each course.

The actual number of students accepted will be determined by the program director in consultation with our partners abroad and the Harbert College of Business Assistant Dean of Global Programs.

The program (and all Harbert College of Business programs) maintains a strict maximum ratio of students to faculty/staff at 20:1. The expected number of students on the program will be roughly 100 -150 but note that the Business Minor is one of the most popular minors on campus (and required by several programs) and spots are limited by staffing and lodging availability.

To secure a spot, students are advised to begin and complete applications as soon as possible. Acceptance is not guaranteed until the application process has been completed, approved by the program director and University, and the student has committed to the program through Auburn Abroad.

You can go on this program any summer after your Freshman year, so rising Sophomores and above are accepted (30+ hours).

However, the best time for a student to go on the program is dependent on each student’s particular situation. Many students prefer to go abroad on the program between Freshman and Sophomore year because doing so provides an early opportunity to expand perspective and also frees up later summers for work, internships, coops or other major related activities. Other students find a later summer works better, allowing them to plan a more specific international experience, develop a more focused travel plan for their international experience, and save up additional money for the trip.

Though the program is beneficial no matter when you go, to maximize your opportunity, we recommend that you first speak with your academic advisor, the program director and your parent(s) or guardian(s) before making a final decision.

Required Courses:

• Fundamentals of Accounting—ACCT 2810*
• Foundations of Marketing—MKTG 3810
• Foundations of Business Management—MNGT 3810
• Foundations of Business Finance—FINC 3810
• International Business—BUSI 3250

Note 1: If you have taken ACCT 2810/2817, you can take either ECON 2020 (Macroeconomics-3 credit hours) or BUSI 4970 (Special Topics in International Business: Global Market Analysis-3 credit hours). If you have taken any of the other courses on the list, you will not be eligible for the program as we cannot replace two courses and partial course loads (under 15 hours) are not possible on this program given the structure. If you have taken more than one of the courses, you can still go abroad with the FLEX program which has more course options. See the information page on the HCoB study abroad pages. * ECON 2030 or BUSI 4970 must be listed in place of ACCT 2810 on the course approval form if you are taking one of these courses because you have already taken ACCT 2810/2817. 

Note 2: All the above courses (except BUSI 4970) are available as Honors courses. 

Note 3: Courses taken for the Business Minor cannot be used for Harbert College of Business credit except for the minor. 

If you are in the Honors College, you can get Honors credit for all five minor courses. No need to separately contract for each course. You will complete a team simulation with your Honors colleagues that integrates the material for all courses. Simply list the following courses on your Course Approval Form:

Required Courses for Honors credit: 

• Fundamentals of Accounting-ACCT 2817
• Principles of Marketing-MKTG 3317
• Principles of Management-MNGT 3107
• Principles of Finance-FINC 3617
• International Business-BUSI 3257
• Macroeconomics-ECON 2037 (if taken in place of ACCT 2817 if already completed)

 

How does the summer abroad Complete Business Minor program compare to taking the courses to earn a business minor on campus?

The Harbert College of Business offers a business minor that can be completed as part of a student’s regular coursework on campus. However, there are a few key differences between getting the minor during regular coursework on campus and going on this program.

First, and most obvious, instead of taking courses at Auburn, you will be taking classes in Europe. This provides a unique cultural and professional experience compared to taking courses at Auburn. This offers lifetime opportunities for exploring different cultures and European destinations. 

Second, while both the traditional minor and abroad minor require 15 hours for completion, due to prerequisites (ACCT 2110 /ACCT 2810/ACCT 2817 is a prerequisite for FINC 3810/3610/3617) the summer abroad program is the only way a student can complete an entire business minor in one semester. For some majors (such as Engineering, Pharmacy and others) that have very limited flexibility to add extra courses into regular semesters, this might be the only option to get a business minor and boost your résumé.

Third, for the traditional minor, students must take 4 required courses (Accounting, Finance, Marketing and Management) plus either Macroeconomics (ECON 2030) or International Business (BUSI 3250). All students on the abroad minor program can take International Business while abroad, which has been adapted to enhance and integrate with the abroad experience. Specifically, International Business will include both cultural and professional experiences abroad in both locations as part of the class, elements not possible with the traditional minor courses on campus.

Finally, for a traditional business minor, students must be junior level to take any of the courses at the 3000 level and up. However, students who attend this program can take these courses as early as their summer between Freshman and Sophomore year as long as they meet the minimum abroad requirements and will have completed a minimum of 30 hours before the program begins. This option is only available through this program.

Can you get Honors credit for courses in this abroad program? YES. The Honors College supports study abroad programs. This program offers an Honors option that provides Honors credit for all five courses.

If you are in the Honors College, you can take all five courses for Honors credit through a unique team simulation experience that integrates course material. No need to separately contract each course individually. You simply list the Honors course numbers (see "Courses" tab for specific numbering) on your Course Approval Form and then complete the simulation at the end of the program with your Honors team members. 

Once you have been admitted to the program, you will receive official confirmation. 

A special section of each course is allocated to this program.  The Program will manually enroll you in each course.  You will receive official notification once that process is complete.  You may only take these courses if you are admitted into the program.

 

It is possible that this program will have program support funds available. Once any funding is made available, all applicants will receive complete details regarding funding amounts and application process details.

While funding is not guaranteed for this year, last year funding for this program support was provided by the Auburn University Provost Vini Nathan and the Harbert College of Business administration (led by HCOB Interim Dean Jennifer Phillips-Mueller and Assistant Dean for Global Programs Danny Butler). 

Last year, Program Support was available in the form of 2 - $10,000 Support Packages targeted for applicants to the Fast Track program, and 5 - $4,000 Support Packages available for either Fast Track or Business Minor applicants. We hope to have similar funding levels this year and will communicate to all applicants any potential support funding once it becomes available. 

Note: Generally, Program Support packages will be targeted for full 12-week Summer program applicants.  When reviewing Program Support applications, key applicant qualifications to be evaluated include:

• Applicant financial need
• A lack of previous international travel and study experiences
• AU academic performance
• AU extracurricular and leadership engagement. 
  
  

Though funding has not yet been guaranteed nor amounts determined, you can apply now for any potential program support if it becomes available. To apply, please click on the following link and complete the Qualtrics survey:

Apply Now

Visa and Passport
You will be required to have a valid passport, good for 6 months after you return to the US after the program. Visa now required (cost approximately $8). We will provide additional instructions for Visa applications during the application process.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact us at harbertglobal@auburn.edu.

Housing and Travel
For the duration of the program, you will stay in a self-service apartments with necessary amenities. While internet and local travel are covered by your fees, you will be responsible for most meals (the area around your lodging has grocery stores and plenty of restaurants to choose from). Specific housing location and details will be provided prior to departure from the US.

Please note that any health and safety regulations required by Auburn University, the Harbert College of Business, the Program Provider Abroad and local authorities will be strictly followed and enforced.

If you have any further concerns or questions about housing, please contact us at harbertglobal@auburn.edu.

The Harbert College of Business has been running global programs for 25 years. Program locations have included the United Kingdom, France, Czech Republic, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, China and others. In the last few years there have been many requests to provide a consistent, safe, and enjoyable "hub" for summer abroad. 

With its Italian style, central location in Europe, easy transport, and great food, Milan is a natural base for exploring Europe. What makes Milan special?

• This year, Harbert College of Business will host classes in a state of the art classroom space that will elevate the student academic experience. 
• Student housing accommodations are secured in advance (no hotels required at the beginning of the program), are an easy commute to the classroom space, central to downtown, and include great amenities. 
• Milan is a perfect base for traveling around Europe. High speed trains connect Milan to Rome, Venice, Florence, Switzerland, and other great European destinations in 3 hours or less. Milan's two major airports offer 2.5 hour or less flights to most major European cities such as Paris, London, Munich, Amsterdam, Athens, Madrid, Barcelona, Dublin, Prague, and more. 
• Milan is an easy to navigate city with excellent public transport options including metro, bus, and tram lines that are well integrated, making it easy to get around the city. 
• Milan is a major fashion and business hub in Europe, which provides enhanced professional opportunities.
• Students maintain housing in Milan through the Summer Break week so they can stay in Milan for part of the break or leave luggage in their apartment while traveling lighter during the break week. 
• One location in Milan this summer allows 2 additional overnight group weekend trips included in the program fees. Potential destinations include Rome, Nice (France), Switzerland, or similar destinations. Details provided prior to going abroad in Spring.  

Also, while students can use/pick up some basic ltalian language skills, no language skills are required to participate in the program in Milan as English is common in most places students live, go to class, and travel around the city.

In summary, Milan is a very livable city with great amenities for summer abroad. 

It should be noted that students do not pay tuition in addition to program fees for this program. Students pay Harbert Study Abroad Program fees and Auburn Study Abroad fees in lieu of regular tuition. All course credit hours are covered by program fees. Program fees will be billed via ebill shortly after committing to the program, but not due until early May 2025. 

Summer 2025 Program fees of $17,900 include:

• AU coursework credit hours (15 hours)
• Housing in Milan for the duration of the program
• Bus/metro/tram pass for the duration of the program
• Cultural and professional programs
• Day tours in and around Milan
• Two overnight group weekend trips 
• Medical insurance
• $5,000 of trip cancellation insurance

Estimated additional costs not included in the program fees are $4,969 (not included in program fees). These costs include:

• Airfare to/from Milan
• Most meals
• Passport and visa if needed
• Optional tours and travel
• Recommended additional trip cancellation insurance (to cover amount above $5,000)
• Auburn Abroad fee ($774)

The overall expected cost for this program is $22,869. This includes 15 credit hours of academic course credit. Given the benefits, compared to taking typical classes on campus, this program is a good investment, especially for out-of-state students as the cost is similar to a typical semester, but includes a summer abroad experience of a lifetime AND a résumé boost by allowing students to get more business coursework completed before they apply for internships and jobs.

 

The application process requires students to apply and register with the AU Study Abroad office. Students must meet the academic requirements for the program and be in good standing with the registrar’s office to study abroad. 

The application period for this programs IS NOW OPEN BUT CLOSING SOON!!. The program application is considered rolling admission, which means that the program will accept applications until the program either fills or final rosters are due to our international partners for housing, tours, etc., but students must SUBMIT an application no later than MARCH 7, 2025, and COMMIT to the program no later than March 21, 2025 to be eligible for the 2025 Summer program.

DUE TO UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS, NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON. Students are encouraged to apply early and move through the application process efficiently as the program will likely fill and close at some point late in the Fall semester or the beginning of Spring.

The Harbert College of Business will have several information sessions for the program. Students are encouraged to attend an information session to help navigate the process of applying. During the information session, students will have an opportunity to speak with an Auburn Abroad coordinator or intern about specific questions that they may have in the preliminary planning stages for study abroad. 

Students who are ready to apply to this program, may start their application.