The International Studies Program offers a flexible and rigorous interdisciplinary undergraduate major and minor in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences that develops keen analytical skills and ethical reasoning amidst complex global dynamics.
Where will the International Studies Program take you?
We can't wait to find out.
- Read a welcome letter from our director, Erik Owens
- Keep in touch by subscribing to our weekly newsletter and following us on Instagram and Facebook. You can also read past issues of our newsletter.
- Review the list of approved Fall 2023 courses, or a complete list of all approved courses offered in any semester.
- Late applications to join the IS major will be considered if space permits; see the Admission page for details.
- Meet our Peer Advisors, who help majors and minors understand grad requirements, course registration, study abroad, and more.
- Locate forms for course substitutions, withdrawals, or pre-approvals; internships, etc. on the Academic Forms page.
- Learn about the pathway through the major and minor, including admission, selecting courses, preparing for study abroad, writing a senior thesis, and thinking about post-grad opportunities. We have posted presentations, webinars (which inlude student testimonials), and a program flyer.
- Read reflections from students and alumni about their experience in the IS Program.
Please visit our Admission page for complete information about applying to the major or declaring a minor. Here are a few important details:
- BC students who wish to become IS majors should submit an application by 5pm on February 1 of their freshman year.
- Transfer students who will start their sophomore year at BC should complete the same application as freshmen at BC. Each year we reserve a handful of spots for transfer students, and when space allows, we admit addiitonal transfer students who are incoming sophomores.
- Late applications are welcome from BC students and transfer students, and they are accepted at the discretion of the director and associate director, when space allows. Please submit your application here and let us know (via isp@bc.edu) that you've filed an application. Please note that it is rare for new majors to be accepted after the first week of their sophomore year.
- All IS majors should meet with their academic advisor before registering for next semester's courses.
- New majors (class of 2026) will be assigned an IS faculty advisor this summer, but can work with IS Peer Advisors and Prof. Nakazato until then.
- Please consult the IS Advising Handbook for detailed requirements for the IS major and minor.
- Approved Fall 2023 IS courses will be listed on the Courses page and on the Approved Fall 2023 Courses spreadsheet (which will be published once EagleApps releases courses, in mid-March).
- A central list of *all* approved electives -- which does not indicate the semester offered, but gives students a sense of course options for the future -- is also available.
- Registration dates:
- Rising seniors (2024): April 11-12
- Rising juniors (2025): April 13-14
- Rising sophomores (2026): April 18-19
- All courses taken abroad for IS credit must be pre-approved, using this form.
- The IS Program would benefit greatly from a gift of your time (to give advice, share job listings, mentor students, or write about your experiences) or your financial support (to enhance programs and opportunities for studens and faculty)!
- See the Giving page for more details.
See our weekly newsletter for details.
- March 14 @6:15pm: Global Solidarity: An Open Conversation on BC International Immersion Programs. (245 Beacon room 102).
- March 22 @10:30am: UN official Bruno Donat '94 on careers in the UN and int'l orgs (via Zoom; RSVP here)
- March 28 @6pm: Welcome and Mentoring event for IS freshmen and sophomores; Upperclass majors will talk about course selection, choosing a concentration, studying abroad, and more (Connolly House).
- March 30 @12pm: Former management consultant Taylor Tinmouth ’06 will speak about her consulting career in environmental, social impact and governance and her pivot to social work (Connolly House).
- April 3 @6pm: Global Citizenship Workshop featuring Julia Williams, Director of the Kino Border Initiative (via Zoom; RSVP here).
- April 12 @6pm: How to Make the Most of Study Abroad; juniors & seniors recount their experience and share widsom (Connolly House)
- April 26 @6:30pm: Senior Send-Off Dinner: The senior class is hosting a special dinner for all senior majors and minors (Felipe’s Taqueria, Cambridge; RSVP form coming soon)
- May 2 @5:30pm: End of Year Social for all majors, minors, faculty, staff, and friends (Connolly House)
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Help lead Global Conversations
The Global Conversation project is hosting dozens of new conversations this year, and we're looking for student leaders! Read more about the leadership roles or go directly to the application.
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Subscribe to the IS Newsletter
Our weekly newsletter includes program news, student voices, faculty profiles, campus events, and info about internships, fellowships, study abroad, and careers. Subscribe here!
