About
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
For a quick overview of the program, download our program flyer. For more details about the major or minor, we invite you investigate our web site, join us at one of our information sessions each October and January (they will be announced on our event calendar), watch this webinar about the program, or review this slide presentation.
Our Academic Programs
Enrollment in the IS major is by competitive application, submitted in early February of Freshman year. (The deadline for applications from the class of 2026 is February 1, 2023; read more about the admission processs.) Our majors must earn 45-48 credits from 14 courses (including seven IS core courses, six courses in one of four concentrations, plus a senior capstone seminar or thesis project); they must demonstrate advanced proficiency in one modern foreign language or intermediate proficiency in two modern foreign languages; and they nearly always study abroad.
The IS minor is open to all BC undergraduates who submit an acceptable course of study by October of their Junior year (no later than the last day of drop/add). Our minors must earn 18 credits from six courses (including two foundations courses and four electives in one of four concentrations); they must demonstrate intermediate proficiency in one modern foreign language (even if their home school at BC doesn’t require it); and they usually study abroad. Please note that the Carroll School of Management no longer offers its own International Studies minor for its students, but CSOM freshmen are welcome to apply to the IS Program minor (or major!) in the Morrrissey College.
Where Can International Studies Take You?
Across disciplines
- IS faculty are trained in many disciplines and teach in eight different departments.
- Approved courses for the IS major are offered across all of BC’s schools.
Into a wide range of careers
- Our graduates work in diplomacy, international business, social service, public policy, finance, law, consulting, education, public health, humanitarian work, and more.
Around the world
- Students choose from study abroad opportunities in 50+ countries
- Our majors earn post-graduate fellowships at 4x the rate of other BC grads.
- Our majors have won 58+ Fulbright Awards since 2000, taking them across the world to study or teach.
- Our majors undertake a year or more of post-grad service at 2.5x the rate of other BC grads.
- More than half of our graduates work or study abroad at some point in their careers.
- Students are expected to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of international affairs. Students should be able to apply basic analytical frameworks to analyze problems and interpret policy alternatives.
- Students also are expected to obtain a basic understanding of the core concepts and methodological tools used in the discipline(s) comprising their chosen track of the major. Students should be able to interpret and apply basic methods and understand empirical papers of an appropriate level.
- Students are expected to develop basic facility with theoretical and empirical applications of the discipline(s) comprising their track through a set of elective courses.
- When writing papers, students are expected to responsibly utilize data and research methods and to give appropriate attribution to original work and source material.
- Students are expected to understand the differences between positive and normative dimensions of international affairs, in particular as applied to instances for which ethical aspects conflict with, or reinforce, political and economic objectives.