Academics
Majors, Minors, and Programs
International Studies

International Studies

Students in international studies develop an understanding of the complex interactions of politics, culture, history, and economics that shape global relations.

Overview

Students learn to think across traditional disciplinary boundaries as an approach to addressing the world’s most complex global challenges such as migration, war, health, and the environment. They gain insight into the processes and institutions that shape global activities and develop the tools necessary to study ongoing events in this complex and rapidly changing world. This major allows students to develop an emphasis in a particular regional or functional area, but within the larger context of international relations. For example, you might concentrate in African studies or developmental studies, or work with faculty on a research project.

Your Major Took You Where?

International Studies majors have gone on to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

Employers and Professions

Americorps Career Building Academy
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Teaching Assistant Program in France
USA Today
U.S. Senate

Postgraduate Study

George Washing University (M.A., European & Eurasian studies)
Johns Hopkins University (M.A., China studies)
Kent State University
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (M.S., accounting)
University of Texas (M.A., Middle Eastern/global policy studies)

Curriculum

To understand and address these challenges, the major combines core interdisciplinary courses with four distinct disciplinary tracks. Core courses develop a common body of knowledge through a mix of introductory and specialized courses that span the globe both geographically and thematically: from Canada to India, from trade to human rights, from Google to the W.H.O. The disciplinary tracks – politics, economics, history, and religion – allow students the flexibility to choose an area that best corresponds to their intellectual and professional goals within the broader framework of international studies. We strongly encourage students to study abroad as an essential element of their experience.

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

Experiential Learning

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences and reflection to develop skills and increase knowledge retention.

Centre students can study abroad or away in one of 20 semester long programs offered in 13 different countries. Semester programs include flagships in England, Mexico and France, and a range of other locations, hosting language immersion, exchange, and partnership programs. Short term courses are available during Summer and CentreTerm with previous courses in Germany, Italy, Japan, Lake Tahoe, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Tahiti, and Thailand, to name a few.

Internships

We're committed to helping students find quality internship experiences in the career area of their choice.

Centre students have had internships at local, state, and federal levels of the government. Many have interned in such places as Washington, D.C. (Supreme Court, foreign embassies, Congress offices, U.S. Department of State, and the Office of Naval Intelligence), or locally, at the Lexington-Fayette Human Rights Commission. Others have secured internships with international organizations such as Amnesty International, Save the Children, and the International Committee for the Red Cross.

Careers

Our extraordinary liberal arts and sciences education prepares students for meaningful lives and careers.

The international studies program’s commitment to a liberal arts education provides an excellent foundation for students interested in pursing careers in business, journalism, politics, or law in the international arena. The major also assists students in meeting the requirements of leading graduate programs in diplomacy, international relations, business, politics, and public policy.