BA in International Studies

Degree Program Description

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 a 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. 

Major Program Requirements

A student majoring in the BA in International Studies must complete 45 hours of coursework in the following categories: Core, Language, Regional/Cultural Humanities, Social/Behavioral, and an Emphasis Area. Students are also required to complete a capstone course within the Emphasis Area, and a 4-week minimum study abroad.

The information below pertains to the BA in International Studies and emphasis areas other than International Business. Students interested in the emphasis area of International Business and a dual degree option with the BSBA in Business Administration, can find additional information on the International Business page.

Required Core Coursework (18 Hours)

Additional Requirements (27 hours minimum)

Language Requirements (6 hours minimum)
For the major, students must complete 6 hours minimum in a single second language, beyond the elementary level.

International students whose native language is other than English may petition the International Studies Program to substitute the language requirement with courses that deepen their English language ability or upper-level International Studies courses.  

Non-international students who can demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English comparable to a student who has completed 6 hours beyond the Elementary sequence at MU may petition the International Studies Program to substitute upper-level International Studies courses for the language requirement.  If the student is proficient in a language offered at MU: the student may be evaluated by that language program. The evaluation must test the student’s ability in all the modalities appropriate for that language (reading, writing, listening, and/or speaking). If the student is proficient in a language not offered at MU, the student is responsible for finding a qualified examiner in that language, who must then be approved by the International Studies director. The evaluation must test the student’s ability in all the modalities appropriate for that language (reading, writing, listening, and/or speaking) at the mid-intermediate level or higher as defined by ACTFL proficiency guidelines.

Regional/Cultural Area (6 hours minimum)
Could include additional language and literature courses from the language of major study, as well as coursework with an international focus from Philosophy, Religious Studies, Art History, Film Studies, and Civilization courses.

Social/Behavioral Sciences Area (6 hours minimum)
Could include coursework with an international focus from Geography, History, Political Science, Economics, Anthropology, Sociology, Women's and Gender Studies and Peace Studies.

Emphasis Areas (9 hours minimum)
Students must complete coursework in an emphasis area of their choice. The emphasis area options are: East Asian Studies, Environmental Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Peace Studies, or South Asian Studies. The emphasis area is typically related to the second language the student is studying. Students are encouraged to take 9 credits from a single department or area. The 3-credit capstone experience will complete the 9 hours of credit in the emphasis area. Students also have the option to pursue International Business, which is a dual degree program with a separate set of requirements. For details on requirements in an emphasis area, refer to each degree page.

Capstone Options
Policies

• The Capstone must be completed in the final 45 hours of coursework.
• Students must earn a C- or higher to fulfill the Capstone requirement.
• Students must have a Capstone approved by their academic advisor.
• Students may complete an Internship or Readings that is not used as a Capstone.

Internships 4940

• Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to apply for approval of an internship project.
• Students must not have any active Student Conduct holds.
• Students may not complete an internship at an existing position.
• Students must work 40 hours for each credit hour earned.
• Students may not earn retroactive credit for internships.

Readings 4960:
Students work independently with MU faculty on research and/or professional projects. A student finds a campus professor with whom to work. Together, they create concrete objectives for a meaningful project. The professor guides and supervises the student towards completion of the project and is responsible for awarding a letter grade for the course.

Service-Learning 4970:
Service-Learning provides hands-on experience in service experiences that are coordinated in collaboration with MU and the community. Service-Learning experiences create valuable learning environments for students as they connect with the community in partnerships that provide effective and far-reaching assistance to those in need. To apply, students must have a 2.0 GPA or higher.

4000-level Capstone course:
Students can select a 4000-level course in the Focus Area to fulfill the Capstone requirement. This course does not need to be a departmental Capstone in order to fulfill the requirement. 

Study Abroad Experience Requirement

• Students should study abroad for a minimum of 4 weeks.
• Credit earned during a study abroad experience may be used to fulfill major requirements.
• Students should complete their study abroad experience prior to their last year.
• Preparation for a study abroad experience should begin a year in advance.
• International students may count their time in the U.S. towards their study abroad requirement.
• Information on study abroad is available at the International Center website. 

Minimum Grade, College, and University Requirements

A minimum grade of C- is required for courses taken for the major. A minimum cumulative GPA in all major coursework is 2.0. In addition, students must complete all College of Arts and Science and University graduation requirements, including University general education.

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Semester Plan

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
ENGLSH 1000	3	Second Language	5
Humanitites	3	POL_SC 1400 or 2700	3
Second Language	5	Biological/Physical Science Course w/Lab	5
American History or Government course	3	MATH 1050, 1100, or STAT 1200	3
	14		16
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
GEOG 1100 or 1200	3	Second Language	3
Second Language	3	ANTHRO 2030	3
Humanities	3	Writing-Intensive/Social Science	3
Social Science	3	Biological/Physical Science Course	4
Behavioral Science	3	Humanities	3
	15		16
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
Social/Behavioral major course	3	Behavioral Science	3
Core major course	3	Regional/Cultural major course	3
Humanities	3	Social/Behavioral major course	3
Regional/Cultural major course	3	Core Humanities major course	3
Second Language	3	Core major course	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
General Elective	3	General Elective	3
General Elective	3	Emphasis Area Capstone 4000 Level	3
Emphasis Area major course	3	General Elective	3
Writing-Intensive/Emphasis Area major course	3	General Elective	3
General Elective	3	General Elective	2
	15		14
Total Credits: 120

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