Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
A major in International Studies consists of 36 semester hours, including 15 semester hours of required courses, 21 semester hours of electives, and a modern foreign language through the intermediate level. The electives can be taken in six different patterns depending on the preference and career plans of the student. For students intending to pursue business careers, the university offers a business option. Students interested in a general background may select the social sciences options. Students will choose any seven courses equaling 21 credit hours from one of the options. Students who desire a more flexible curriculum can work out 21 semester hours of electives with the chair of political science and criminal justice.
Students with an interest in a specific region of the world may choose among the African, Asian, European, and Latin American options; they should fulfill their modern language requirement by taking a corresponding language. The international studies program will be of interest to students planning a career in the public sector or foreign service, in an international agency, in international business, or to students pursuing graduate work in international studies.
The program prepares students for a variety of careers including foreign service officer, historian, congressional aide, international banker, interpreter, humanitarian relief worker, journalist, political scientist, and think-tank strategist.
All students are encouraged to consider study abroad. Study abroad, internship, and study-abroad internship opportunities offer networking and experience in domestic and international government, as well as private-sector business and nonprofit organizations.
Special admission requirements: To declare a major in political science, criminal justice, or international studies, students – including transfer students – must have earned a GPA of at least 2.50 in all prior college work. First semester students who wish to declare a major in one of the above programs must have an ACT composite score of at least 21 or an SAT score of at least 990.
For those interested in a major in International Studies, go to our Degree Check Sheets web page for a detailed list of course requirements.
For additional information, refer to the catalog of your entry year by clicking here.