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International StudiesMajor

This interdisciplinary program includes courses in political science, languages, geography, history, sociology, anthropology, economics and other topics. You'll gain valuable real-life experience through study abroad, global service learning and internships.

By the numbers1

Only U.S. school to attend The European International Model United Nations (TEIMUN)

Overview

What is International Studies at WVU like?

Description

Explore other cultures, experience new perspectives and visit other countries. You can look forward to these experiences and more as an International Studies major.

You will see the world through interdisciplinary lenses. Our curriculum provides a broad background in international affairs, with courses in economics, world languages, geography, history, political science, religious studies, sociology and anthropology. Courses foster original research and critical thinking through student participation and intensive faculty-student interactions.

You’ll gain valuable real-life experience through study abroad, global service learning and internships. Students also participate in WVU programs, such as Model United Nations, Peace Corps Prep, debate, Student Government Association and various student organizations.

International Studies program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Areas of Emphasis

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Global Connections
  • Security and Diplomacy

Elective Focuses

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Africa/Middle East
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • The Americas

Fast Facts

What makes International Studies at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

This flexible major provides a core background in international affairs, and then enables you to focus on a regional area of emphasis (i.e., Africa/Middle East, the Americas, East Asia and Europe) or a global affairs area of emphasis (i.e., international business, international environment and development, diplomacy and international security or intelligence and national security).

This major can be closely integrated with study abroad programs, internships, global service learning, international conferences and Model United Nations.

Through the ASPIRE Office, you can apply for nationally competitive scholarships, such as the Boren, Fulbright, Gilman and Critical Language Scholarships.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

International Studies alumni are employed across the public and private sectors. Recent graduates have found employment in the intelligence community, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the World Bank and global non-governmental organizations and non-profit organizations, such as the Brookings Institution and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Graduates who enter the private sector are employed at various international consulting firms such as the Cohen Group, Deloitte and Ntrepid Corporation.

Some graduates attend law school at institutions such as WVU, American University, George Washington University and University of Pittsburgh. Others pursue advanced degrees in international relations and public policy at universities such as Syracuse, Georgetown, George Washington, American, University of California San Diego and London School of Economics.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's International Studies major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in International Studies at WVU?

GEOG 302:
Political Geography

Examines the interrelationship between politics and the environment, human territoriality, the political organization of space, geopolitical aspects of the nation-state and international problems.

POLS 301:
Introduction to Intelligence Analysis

A professionally-oriented survey of the history, logic, and methods of intelligence analysis as applied to policy-making in foreign policy and national security.

POLS 302:
Intelligence Analysis Methods

An advanced course in the understanding and use of skills, processes, and tools currently used by intelligence analysts in the national security community.

POLS 363:
International Law

Law governing relations among nations, including development of rules, means of enforcement, and conflict between theory and practice.

POLS 491:
Professional Field Experience

(May be repeated up to a maximum of 18 hours). Prearranged experiential learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.

Cost and Aid

How much does International Studies at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here is a way for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for International Studies at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's International Studies major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

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Request Information

Want to know more about International Studies at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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