Faculty Advising

Students majoring in International Studies are assigned a faculty advisor with expertise in their area of concentration. When faculty take research leaves from the university, their student advisees are temporarily reassigned to other IS faculty or staff. Students who have concerns about their advisor should contact IS Program Director Prof. Erik Owens.

Students minoring in International Studies will have a primary faculty advisor in their major program or department, but are invited to consult informally with any IS faculty member or with our Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Hiroshi Nakazato.

The interdisciplinary character of the major and minor in International Studies requires that students carefully coordinate their course of study across many academic departments. Early planning is essential to a successful program, as schedules can conflict and not all courses are offered every year.

We encourage faculty and students alike to download our IS Program Advising Handbook, which offers a concise account of the requirements for IS majors and minors; answers to common but specific questions about university and Morrissey College (MCAS) rules such as double-counting courses and taking classes pass/fail; and an addendum with campus resources for a wide range of issues. Another important advising document is the IS Major Course Plan and the IS Minor Course Plan, in which students lay out their specific plan to complete their major/minor requirements. You can also find much more information about MCAS and University requirements at the MCAS Academic Advising Center site.  

Staff Assistance

The International Studies Program receives a wide range of administrative assistance from the Interdisciplinary Programs staff in the Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences. Our colleagues in Interdisciplinary Programs include:

Ms. Patricia Joyce
Assistant Director, Interdisciplinary Programs
Gasson Hall 104
617-552-3272
patricia.joyce@bc.edu

Ms. Joan Reilly
Administrative Assistant, Interdisciplinary Programs
Connolly House 112
617-552-6396
joan.reilly@bc.edu

Campus Resources

Boston College offers many resources for additional counseling, advising, and support, and we encourage students to reach out to the following programs: