International Studies

Michael Volz, Program Director
College of Arts and Science
221J Arts & Science Building
volzm@missouri.edu

Kibby Smith, Academic Advisor
326H Strickland Hall
smithkib@missouri.edu

International Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is an individually designed major with a strong multicultural and global focus. Students in the major have the opportunity to design a major that reflects their own interests and goals. The increased level of flexibility requires a higher level of commitment than is typical of traditional majors because students MUST do the work of building their own degree.

International Studies majors acquire analytical skills and knowledge that will enable them to understand and meaningfully engage with the quickly evolving global community. The program prepares students for graduate study and careers in academia, teaching, law, business, public policy, humanitarian aid, non-profit organizations, government, and diplomacy. Students in the program will study advanced second language and participate in a study abroad experience to fulfill degree requirements. 

International Business

The dual degree program in International Business leads to the BS in Business Administration from the Trulaske College of Business and the BA in International Studies from the College of Arts & Science. This degree typically takes 4 1/2 to 5 years to complete. Students in the program will study advanced second language and participate in a study abroad experience to fulfill degree requirements.

International Studies majors acquire analytical skills and knowledge that will enable them to understand and meaningfully engage with the quickly evolving global community. The program prepares students for graduate study and careers in academia, teaching, law, business, public policy, humanitarian aid, non-profit organizations, government, and diplomacy. 

Director of International Studies, Associate Teaching Professor M. Volz

Faculty for International Studies are housed within various departments. 

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Graduate Faculty Member - membership is required to teach graduate-level courses, chair master's thesis committees, and serve on doctoral examination and dissertation committees.

**

Doctoral Faculty Member - membership is required to chair doctoral examination or dissertation committees. Graduate faculty membership is a prerequisite for Doctoral faculty membership.

• BA in International Studies
  • with emphasis in East Asian Studies
  • with emphasis in Environmental Studies
  • with emphasis in European Studies
  • with emphasis in International Business
  • with emphasis in Latin American Studies
  • with emphasis in Peace Studies
  • with emphasis in South Asian Studies

In addition to developing a deeper knowledge in the emphasis areas described above, International Studies and International Business majors acquire analytical skills and knowledge that will enable them to understand and meaningfully engage with the quickly evolving global community.  International Studies graduates from Mizzou gain competencies in the following areas.

Global and International Interconnections: Students will analyze how international processes and structures influence local and traditional life and cultures, and how local cultures can also often have a global impact.

Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Perspectives: Students will analyze global interconnectedness through multiple disciplinary lenses including the impact of historical, political, geographical, economic, and environmental processes on present-day global structures and related issues and challenges.

Cross-Cultural Knowledge, Experience, and Competency: Through structured analysis of other cultures and first-hand cross-cultural experience, including study abroad and advanced language study, students will gain a deep understanding of at least one other culture, and factors that can facilitate or hinder positive cross-cultural interactions.

International Studies Departmental Honors Requirements 

Prerequisites

• Declared International Studies major
• Senior academic standing during the semester in which INTL_S 4950 is taken
• 3.3 or above cumulative GPA 
• 3.5 or above GPA in MU International Studies courses

In the semester prior to pursuing departmental honors:

• Interested student submits a written proposal for a substantial project involving original research to a tenured, tenure track, or NTT faculty member working in the student’s area of interest
• Faculty mentor must agree to supervise the project - faculty members are not obligated to supervise honors projects
• Student provides the International Studies Director hard copies of the proposal and an unofficial transcript, after receiving approval from the supervising professor

 During the semester that the project is developed

• Register for and successfully complete three-credit hours of INTL_S 4950. Projects initiated in other courses may also be eligible with advanced approval from the International Studies Director
• The resulting product should be a thesis of 25 – 40 pages or project of comparable rigor
• Before a grade is submitted, the student must present their research (either through a short colloquium, a committee, poster display, or alternative method approved by the supervising professor)

While the College does not offer a graduate degree specific to international studies, the Graduate School does offers a graduate academic Minor in International Development.

This catalog provides a complete list of graduate degree options for all Schools and Colleges at the University of Missouri.