International Studies

International studies majors can choose a concentration in global health and environment, global migration and economic development, international business, or peace and global security.

Global Health and Environment

Environmental issues such as climate change, air and water pollution and loss of biodiversity are inherently global. International studies majors in the global environmental sustainability concentration are able to combine studies in history, economics and politics with science courses to devise solutions to challenges in the relationships between humans and our planet.

Global Migration and Economic Development

Students interested in the social justice implications of globalization will find that the global migration and economic development concentration offers them opportunities to analyze shifts in legal migration, unauthorized immigration and forced population movement as well as policies and strategies for improving peoples' health, education and standard of living, especially in the Global South.

International Business

Courses in the international business concentration give students opportunities to acquire skills enabling them to become internationally literate leaders in the private sector, business savvy leaders of NGOs or innovative social entrepreneurs.

Peace and Global Security

This concentration's curriculum addresses the political, institutional and ethical questions related to maintaining U.S. national security, including courses on political violence and national and global terrorism. At the same time, majors are able to study the causes of conflict and to promote a sustainable international peace.

Visit the Catalog to view additional details about international studies, including degree requirements, course descriptions and a sample plan of study.

All international studies majors must include an international and/or cross-cultural experiential component in their program prior to graduation.

This requirement can be satisfied through participation in an international study abroad program, internship or immersion. It can also be satisfied by taking part in a service or work internship with an international organization located within the United States. The experience must be a minimum of four weeks.

Additional information, including proposal instructions, is available to enrolled students on Porches. For questions, please contact our department.

For undergraduate students pursuing any Bachelor of Arts degree, the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Law offers a 3+3 J.D. program, allowing students to complete their Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctor in a total of 6 years.

Please consult with your holistic advisor for eligibility and timeline as you are scheduling your third-semester coursework.

Our international studies concentrations provide an opportunity to explore relevant complex issues affecting people around the globe.

All international studies majors complete a capstone experience before graduating giving them hands-on learning experience. A significant opportunity for students is contributing research to a high-level U.N. report.

International studies graduates leave UD with real-world experience through our required experiential learning component. Recent examples include:

• Our students work directly with immigrants and refugees, helping them to settle in the Dayton community (a common internship is with Catholic Social Services).
• Our students do research and advocacy work with international development agencies focused on Asia, Africa and Latin America (our capstone class often works with Counterpart International and with Cristosal).
• Last semester, our students helped promote democratic government and accountability in El Salvador, and provide support and advocate for small coffee farmers in Guatemala.
• Our students advocate for government policy and meet with Congressional staffers on international issues, such as global risks to academic freedom.
• For the last two years, our international studies students having been taking trips to Washington, D.C. in collaboration with Scholars at Risk.

Ready to take the next step? Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about international studies at UD.

Additional Global Languages and Cultures Program

• German Studies (B.A.)
• Global French Studies (B.A.)
• Spanish (B.A.)
• Ancient Greco-Roman Studies (Minor)
• Asian Studies (Minor)
• Chinese Studies (Minor)
• German Studies (Minor)
• Global Cultures (Minor)
• Global French Studies (Minor)
• International Studies (Minor)
• Italian (Minor)
• Middle East and North Africa Studies (Minor)
• Slavic Studies (Minor)
• Spanish (Minor)
• International and Intercultural Leadership (Undergraduate Certificate)

Related Programs

• Communication (B.A.)
• English (B.A.)
• Human Rights Studies (B.A.)
• Political Science (B.A.)
• World Language Education (B.S.)
• Business Administration (Minor)
• Photojournalism (Undergraduate Certificate)
• TESOL (Undergraduate Certificate)
• TESOL (Graduate Certificate)
• Discover (Undecided)

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. And with high graduation and success rates, UD is an excellent value.

To help you cover your costs, a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time work study are available. The University also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving you more flexibility to add a double major or minor or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.