Degree Requirements

International Studies

Coordinator: Fourshey

Off-Campus Study Opportunities. Students majoring in international studies are required to participate in an off-campus international experience, and those minoring in the program are strongly encouraged to do so. In recent years, international studies students have traveled to countries such as the United Kingdom, Senegal, India, France, Australia, Tanzania, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica and China. Others have done their off-campus internationally-focused educational experience domestically. The Washington Semester Program offers considerable opportunities for international studies students. The program, sponsored by American University in Washington, D.C., includes programs integrating study of international issues with internships. Programs include conflict resolution, international organizations and sustainable development, and offer brief study-abroad opportunities.

Internships. Students are encouraged to pursue internships in international studies. International studies majors have interned while abroad in France, Austria, Senegal, India, Britain, and in other abroad locations. Others have interned domestically in the field. The program advisor works with students to identify internships.

Requirements for the International Studies Major. International studies majors must complete a minimum of 42 semester hours of approved course work in the major, all with grades of C- or better and an overall average of at least 2.0 in courses for the major. No more than 16 semester hours in the major may be taken at the 100 level, and at least 14 semester hours must be taken at or above the 300 level. No more than 8 semester hours may be double-counted between the international studies major and any other major or minor. Senior seminar/capstone courses may not be double-counted with other majors or minors.

All international studies majors must complete the 202-level of a relevant foreign language and take a capstone course in a relevant department.

Students in the major must engage in an off-campus, internationally focused educational experience, preferably consisting of a semester or year abroad. Shorter-term experiences, such as focus programs offered by Susquehanna University, or an internship with an international-based organization, also qualify when approved by the advisor.

All majors maintain a cumulative portfolio of their academic work in international studies. Materials in the portfolio include research papers, essays or other assignments representative of the student's work; a resume; and other relevant materials evidencing the student's academic performance and growth. The portfolio is to be updated each semester in accordance with program requirements.

Honors. To graduate with honors, international studies majors must do the following:

• maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the program and 3.25 overall,
• request admission to the program at the beginning of the senior seminar/capstone course, and
• complete and publicly present an honors-quality project in the spring of their senior year.

Focus Areas. Students choose one of seven focus areas for the international studies major: European Studies, Asian Studies, Developing World Studies, Diplomacy, Comparative Cultural Studies, Sustainable Development, and International Trade and Development. Course requirements vary depending on the focus area.

semester hours

Completion of 202-level of applicable language: European Studies: French, Spanish, German; other languages with approval. Asian Studies: Chinese, French; other languages with approval. Developing World Studies: Spanish for Latin American focus; French for African focus; other languages with approval.

semester hours

Completion of 202-level of modern foreign language

Completion of 202-level of foreign language

Completion of 202-level of modern foreign language

Completion of 202-level of modern foreign language

Minor in International Studies. International studies is a superb complement to a number of other majors. Students may choose to minor in international studies by completing 24 semester hours in a focus area. Only courses completed with a grade of C- or above may be counted toward the minor. No more than 8 semester hours may be taken at the 100 level. No more than 6 semester hours may double-count with another major or minor.

semester hours