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International Studies, BA

Pursue an International Studies major at 快猫视频 for a career-ready education with transformative global experiences. The major offers the option to study abroad in a country outside the U.S. for a full academic year, one semester, or a short-term session.

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About this Program

Multidisciplinary Education for Globally-Focused Careers

An鈥痠nternational鈥痵tudies major provides you with solid academic foundations, transformative international experiences and sharp鈥痯rofessional skills that qualify you for a variety of careers at home and abroad.

You’ll take intellectually challenging courses with expert international studies professors dedicated to your personal, intellectual and professional growth.

Our well-rounded, multidisciplinary鈥痯rogram covers politics, culture, history, economics and geography, where you develop a wide range of transferable,鈥痗areer-ready skills.

An international studies degree prepares you for meaningful work in the world:

  • Access to our鈥痠nternship program鈥痺ith dozens of 快猫视频’s internationally oriented organizations.
  • Small classes in an鈥痠nclusive鈥痚nvironment,鈥痶aught by鈥痜aculty鈥痜rom a range of backgrounds and nationalities.
  • Faculty advisers that help you鈥痶ailor courses鈥痶o your needs and future鈥痗areer pathways.
  • Study abroad opportunities鈥痺ith access and support for鈥痵cholarships.
  • Courses in鈥痜oreign languages鈥痶o enhance your ability鈥痶o communicate and work comfortably鈥痠n multicultural or international settings.

And, of course, you’ll build lasting friendships with fellow students鈥痗ommitted to making the broader world a better place.

International Studies at a Glance

Learn how this degree from the Department of International Studies will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a 快猫视频 degree can be.鈥�

You can tailor the鈥痠nternational studies curriculum to suit your needs and interests,鈥痑longside foundational and professional formation courses that build knowledge, career skills and鈥痯rofessional contacts.

With an International Studies major, you will reach an intermediate or higher level of proficiency in a鈥痜oreign language鈥�(Chinese, French, Japanese or Spanish), enhancing your abilities to communicate and work comfortably in multicultural or international settings.

Many of our students鈥痙ouble-major鈥痠n International Studies with other programs. See below some popular double-majors:

  • French
  • Spanish
  • Asian Studies
  • History
  • Environmental Studies
  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • Public Affairs

Add a minor in international studies to broaden your impact and complement your major. The minor in international studies can be the perfect complement to your major degree, as it can give you the basic knowledge to analyze the cultural, political, historical and economic factors鈥痶hat shape our world’s opportunities and challenges. In order to earn the minor, you need to complete 18 semester/30 quarter credits.

On graduating with an International Studies degree, you will be able to:

  • Critically鈥痚xamine connections between local and global contexts.
  • Communicate proficiently in a foreign language at an intermediate level.
  • Demonstrate the necessary knowledge and awareness for culturally sensitive interaction in a variety of settings.
  • Design a research project that鈥痑nswers鈥痑n鈥痠nternationally鈥痗ompelling question by applying appropriate methods.
  • Analyze complex international issues through a multidisciplinary approach.

If you’re planning on attending law school in the future, consider this Bachelor/JD Accelerated 3+3 Pathway. This degree plan allows you to finish both a law degree and a bachelor’s degree in six years. For more information, visit the Bachelor/JD Accelerated 3+3 Program Admission page.

What You鈥檒l Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

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What makes our program unique?

Program Designed for Your Success

SU Student Michael Ninen

Study Abroad: Adventurous Experiential Learning

The international studies major includes a learning program in a country outside of the US for a a full academic year, one or two quarters, or a short-term session.鈥� You have many countries to choose from,鈥痺ith professional support and guidance from faculty and our Education Abroad Office.

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Internships in 快猫视频: Real-World Experience

The international studies major offers you personalized support to find an internship at an international organization in the 快猫视频 area. You gain professional skills, contacts, and advice to pursue your鈥痗areer goals.

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Senior Capstone Research Project: Deep Learning

As an international studies major, you will design and carry out your own research focused on your study abroad country. If you enroll in the international studies honors program at SU, you will have an additional quarter to develop your research, and the opportunity to present your research at an academic conference and work towards publishing your research in an academic journal.

See How

In-Depth, Career-Ready Education

An鈥痠nternational studies degree鈥痜rom 快猫视频 U鈥痝ives you career options in a range of fields.鈥��

International studies alumni often find they have the flexibility to move from one type of career to another, for example, from working in an NGO鈥�(non-governmental organization)鈥痶o a private business.鈥��

Career paths for graduates are flexible, rather than fixed.鈥疉t the same time,鈥痽ou can still prepare and think through some of the major alternatives as you build your academic profile in the international studies program.

Popular Careers for International Studies Majors

After graduation, international studies majors from SU leverage their knowledge and experience to get jobs in 快猫视频 and beyond in global development, international business and trade, diplomatic service, law, social services, education and communications. 

International studies graduates are working at the following places:

  • Program coordinator, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  • Research and Impact Officer, Global Partnerships
  • Assistant Director, The Brookings Institute
  • Analyst, World Bank
  • Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
  • Policy Analyst/Program Manager, City and County of San Francisco
  • Program & Communications Associate, 快猫视频 International Foundation

Hear From Our Alumni

SU Alumni Melissa Cuevas

Melissa Ceuvas, '23 BA

“My interest in history, particularly my AP European History and World History classes in high school, naturally transitioned in a desire to work on global issues. I still debated between International Studies and Political Science as a major, but 快猫视频’s International Studies curriculum and the opportunity to learn about different regions of the world ultimately made the decision for me. I will always credit the International Studies program with providing me the tools to succeed.”

International Studies

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