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.
- Class of 2026 students are invited to apply to join the IS major before Feb. 1, 2023.
- Review approved courses, including approved Spring 2023 courses, or a complete list of all approved courses offered in any semester.
- 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 contact the IS Program as soon as you are accepted to BC, and complete the same application as the BC students. Each year we accept a handful of transfer students into our program.
- Late applications may be 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 extremely 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 2025) will be assigned an IS faculty advisor this summer, but can work with IS Peer Advisors until then.
- Please consult the IS Advising Handbook for detailed requirements for the IS major and minor.
- Approved Fall 2022 IS courses are listed on the Courses page, and on the Approved Fall 2022 Courses spreadsheet.
- 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 (2023): April 6-7
- Rising juniors (2024): April 8-11
- Rising sophomores (2025): April 12-13
- 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.
Prof. Seyla Benhabib Jan 25 lecture on cosmopolitanism
Distinguished political theorist Seyla Benhabib will lecture on Wed., Jan. 25 at 7pm in Gasson 100 on the state of cosmopolitan moral and political theory in the post-colonial era, arguing for a "cosmopolitanism from below" that is sensitive to post-colonial critiques without falling back to liberal nationalism. Presented by the Lowell Lectures, and co-sponsored by the IS Program and the Global Citizenships Project.
Jan. 20 Info Session for Class of 2026
Freshmen in the class of 2026 are invited to an online information session on Friday, January 20 at noon (Zoom link) to learn about the IS major and minor. IS Program director Erik Owens will join other faculty and our Peer Advisors to discuss our curriculum, programming, study abroad, etc. and answer your questions. The session will be recorded and posted on our Admission page.
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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!
