International Studies Major
The international studies major provides a multidisciplinary approach to the study of international affairs with an emphasis on foreign language proficiency. You will learn how to design policies and strategies to manage international challenges.
2
PROGRAMS TO STUDY AWAY IN WASHINGTON D.C.
12
LANGUAGES TO STUDY
24
AVERAGE UPPER-LEVEL CLASS SIZE
20%
OF OUR STUDENTS ARE CADETS
Total Credit Hours: 120
International Studies Courses (36 hours)
Core Degree Requirements (21 hours)
General Education (45 hours)
Electives (36 hours)
What You'll Study
You will take 120 credit hours for a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, including Virginia Tech's Pathways.
Our program includes courses such as:
- Global Development
- International Communication
- Nations and Nationalities
- Global Security
- World Politics
- The Global Economy and World Politics
The international studies major focuses on international interactions and offers a comparative perspective on the contemporary global system with an emphasis on foreign language proficiency. Select from nine languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish, to fulfill this requirement.
Curious how the degree requirements will fit into your experience at Virginia Tech? See the roadmaps below for a sample schedule of courses each year. Your academic advisor will help you create a personalized version based on your goals and other areas of interest. The individualized plan will also include your AP, IB, dual enrollment, or transfer credit.
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What is a Major in International Studies?
An international studies degree draws from subjects like history, politics, religion, geography, economics, as well as foreign languages. This gives you a comprehensive understanding of diverse nations, cultures, and the challenges they face. You'll become proficient in at least one foreign language.
Why Learn International Studies Here?
We offer broad training in the liberal arts, emphasizing the study of foreign languages. You will develop specialized skills to prepare for roles in government, business, defense, international development, and non-governmental organizations. There are many opportunities for further education outside of the classroom available to students, such as study abroad and internships.
Beyond the Classroom
- Study Abroad
- Internships and Co-ops
- Faculty Mentors
- Preparing Military and Intelligence Leaders
- Diplomacy Lab
- Undergraduate Research
Although studying abroad isn't required, it can often be a pivotal experience for you. Living in a different country is the best way to understand the differences and similarities between cultures. It allows you to develop a personal expertise in a specific national or regional context.
Internships and cooperative education programs give you an opportunity to receive academic credit for working in a professional setting. Our students complete internships with the U.S. government, international organizations, and national, state, or local administrative agencies. Talk to an advisor who can help you find and secure a meaningful internship opportunity.
Our faculty members are productive authors, scholars, and award-winning teachers who are always eager to mentor students on research projects in their field of interest. We have experts on Japan, the European Union, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, the United Kingdom, and other nations, as well as specialists in topics like international security, citizenship, and human rights. If you'd like some guidance on an undergraduate research project, just ask!
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We work with many students in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and ROTC, as well as veterans and students waiting to begin a government training program. Our major provides training to prepare you for a career with the U.S. Department of State, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, or various intelligence agencies of the U.S. government.
The Department of State’s Diplomacy Lab program is a partnership with Virginia Tech to conduct research related to foreign policy. You will have the opportunity to research topics such as climate change, democracy and human rights, global health, and energy security. This program allows you to explore real-world challenges and work alongside faculty members who are authorities in their fields.
Work closely with a faculty mentor to create and pursue your own project or join a professor's project. The Diplomacy Lab program also offers several opportunities for students to pursue individual or collaborative research projects.
What Our Students Are Saying
"I'm loving being an IS major because in almost every class I get to discuss and learn about real world experiences, specifically current events. It feels like what I'm learning in class is actually part of the outside world and not just in the bubble of academia."
Anusha Ghosal, '16
"Submerse yourself in another culture and study abroad every chance you get. That is when you'll truly gain a deeper understanding of the diverse and complex world we live in."
Grace Spencer, '18
"When I first arrived at Virginia Tech, I was petrified of walking into a packed lecture hall. I felt all eyes were on me as I walked down the aisle to find my seat. My fears were quickly erased as my professor began to talk. She inspired me to think of ideas and ask questions that I never knew were possible. She made me feel like I was an individual with a purpose. With a professor like that I knew I picked the best major."
Dana Mouritzen, '18
“When I look at the world, I see a lot of potential. That's why I was so drawn to the international studies major. I want to help initiate growth all over the world by getting people to invest in themselves through entrepreneurship.”
Nizar K. Taifour, '16
Careers and Further Study
Meghan Oakes, '15
Interested in international diplomacy, Meghan started out by gaining a better understanding of U.S. domestic politics in her Congressional internship through the Hokies on the Hill program.
Nizar Taifour, ’16
Nizar graduated with degrees in international studies and business. He currently works at Accenture, a management consulting company, where he advises multilateral and financial services clients on opportunities for development. He says, "I chose international studies and business to drive governments and industries to invest in people."
Bijan Peters, '15
Upon graduating with an International Studies major and Spanish minor, Bijan moved to Conway, Arkansas to work for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, focusing on sales of their server, storage, and networking portfolio. Today, Bijan works in McLean, Virginia as a Sales Executive for Deloitte's Cloud practice focused on MuleSoft and Amazon Web Services.
Ally Miller, '18
After completing her degree in international studies with minors in Arabic and psychology, Ally completed a master's degree in Forensic Psychology at George Washington University. Her internships during her time at Virginia Tech at both the state police and in federal law enforcement, especially her experience working for the Behavioral Analysis Unit, sparked her interest in further studying psychology. She is currently employed by Deloitte.
Linsi Goodin, ’21
Linsi studied international studies with minors in Chinese studies, international public policy, and national security and foreign affairs. She participated in Hokies on the Hill, interned in Washington DC for the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and for Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). Linsi also conducted research for the Hume Center and the Diplomacy Lab on campus. She is pursuing a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at The George Washington University.
Erin Kaplan, '23
This summer I had the opportunity to intern with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company as a Leadership Development Intern and Team Leader for the Food and Beverage Department. Throughout these past 12 weeks, I have had the opportunity to experience the day-to-day operations of a world-class entertainment and hospitality company, shadow various management officials, work event planning within concert venues, and build many new connections with other interns and professionals from all over the country and world. During my third week, I got promoted to a team leader which helped further develop my leadership skills through problem solving in various unique situations and training dozens of new employees. Not only did this opportunity help me grow professionally, but it also made me realize my potential and capabilities and as a result making me more confident and prepared to enter the workforce.
Clement Mulock, '22
Clement has worked with the National Academy of Sciences on the Board of Army Research and Development. Additionally, he completed research with Dr. Stivachtis on two projects, including a paper on Organized Crime in the European Union. Clement plans to attend law school.
What do I do with a major in international studies?
The program offers a broad liberal arts education, meaning you'll gain critical thinking and writing skills that apply in any field. Our alumni include vice-presidents of major banks, managers in multinational corporations, foreign service officers, civil servants in the Pentagon and United States intelligence agencies, and Peace Corps volunteers. Graduates of this program have also been admitted to some of the most prestigious law and graduate schools in the country. Some common careers of our graduates include:
- Military officer
- Consultant
- Political organizer
- Teacher/Professor
- Journalist
- Attorney
- Foreign aid administrator
- Law enforcement officer
- Foreign correspondent
- Federal agency official
- Foreign service officer
- International business analyst
- Public policy analyst
- Politician
- Nonprofit employee
- Foreign affairs specialist
- Human rights officer
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