International Studies with a concentration in International Development and Humanitarian Affairs, BA

During the last few decades, companies and government agencies have increased their search for employees who understand world issues. A Bachelor of Arts with a major in international studies and a concentration in international development and humanitarian affairs prepares you for working with relief and aid organizations.

This major is designed to prepare students for jobs in the public and private sections, where globalization is increasing dramatically, or to enter a graduate degree program.

Degree requirements

Hours required and general/college requirements

A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the “General University Requirements ” in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences requirements.

Major requirements

Majors need 42 hours from the list of approved courses below, including:

International Development and Humanitarian Affairs concentration, 36 hours

Twelve of the 36 hours must be advanced-level courses.

Development of professional skills, 6 hours

Substantive issue areas, 21 hours

Take 9 hours in sustainable development and 12 hours in social development and public health.

Sustainable development

Social development and public health

Regional choice, 9 hours

Students should select one region of the world relevant to their concentration and foreign language and take 9 hours in that region. See “Regional choice” under the concentration in Regional Studies .

Note

* May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Some courses (e.g., INST 4850 and INST 4900 ) may be repeated for credit as topics vary and if the subject is appropriate.

Other course requirements

6 upper-division hours in a foreign language of the student’s choice. International students who attended high school in a non-native English speaking country and have been exempted from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences foreign language requirement can substitute 6 hours of advanced English writing courses with prior approval of the International Studies director or academic advisor.
Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of Study Abroad opportunities. Students are also encouraged to do an internship related to their area of concentration; only 3 hours will apply towards the major.

Minor

Optional.

Electives

Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum requirements. Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement (42) and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information see an academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Other requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in international studies, a student must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of graduation.