Apr 20, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

International Studies BA


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Introduction

Please click here  to see International Studies department information.

In a world where the forces of politics, commerce, culture, and technology are multifaceted and interconnected, the International Studies major provides students with a much­needed global perspective. International Studies is an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree that prepares students for international careers and graduate study. The International Studies major offers students a deep understanding of complex international issues and the underlying drivers that are shaping our world. Employers seek the qualities of International Studies graduates: historical knowledge, research ability, cross­cultural competence, teamwork and leadership experience, and the ability to analyze, model, and solve real­world problems. The INTS major provides students with the methodological tools necessary to analyze various regions of the world and global issues from different academic disciplines. Students can take courses from departments including Anthropology, Business, Communication, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Geography, History, Modern Languages, Political Science, and Religious Studies, among others. This combination of coursework, flexibility, and customization provides International Studies majors a distinctive and valuable degree for today’s world.

Degree requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic program, and the College reserves the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, the College strongly urges students to consult regularly with their major advisor and CLAS advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them.

International Studies students are expected to develop both a regional zone of expertise and thematic specialization. Students should choose courses from the introductory, zone, and theme lists that contribute to developing both a broad and deep understanding of international issues.

Program Delivery

  • This is an on-campus program.

Declaring This Major

  • Click here  to go to information about declaring a major

General Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the three areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements


  1. Students must complete a minimum of 48 credit hours from the approved courses.
  2. Students must complete a minimum of 24 upper-division (3000-level and above) credit hours in the major from the approved courses.
  3. Students must earn a minimum grade of C-(1.7) in all major courses taken at CU Denver and must achieve a minimum cumulative major GPA of 2.5. All graded attempts in required and elective courses are calculated in the major GPA. Students cannot complete major or ancillary course requirements as pass/fail.
  4. Students must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours with CU Denver faculty from the approved courses.

Program Restrictions, Allowances and Recommendations


  1. No more than 56 credits accepted toward graduation.
  2. Program Honors = 3.5 GPA within the major.
  3. Students may use up to 6 internship credits toward international studies graduation requirements.
  4. Students may use up to 6 credits of independent study toward international studies graduation requirements.
  5. All International Studies majors must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. Non-native English speakers may use English for their language proficiency. Language requirements may be fulfilled by successful completion of the fourth semester of a foreign language course sequence or by passing an equivalent proficiency exam.
  6. Both 3000- and 4000-level language courses may be counted toward the Zone or Focus Theme.
  7. Two 2000-level courses in a relevant language may be used toward the Zone but must be in addition to the 4 upper division courses in the Zone. Students using two 2000 level language courses will count 6 total courses toward the Zone.
  8. 1000-level language courses cannot be counted toward the major but may be used to fulfill other graduation requirements.
  9. Generally, students majoring in International Studies may choose MATH 1010-Math for Liberal Arts. Students wishing to focus on Focus Themes with a heavier Economics component (such as Global Development, Global Environmental Studies, and International Political Economy) should consider MATH 2830 - Introductory Statistics. Please meet with the major advisor to discuss your interests.

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