The B.A. major in international studies provides an intellectual foundation that enables students to communicate, collaborate, and work across national, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic boundaries. By incorporating extensive foreign language study and mandating an overseas experience, this degree fosters competencies that students need in order to function successfully in a global environment. Flexible major requirements encourage depth and breadth of regional and thematic knowledge. Students explore the major by taking two introductory courses chosen from the following thematic concentrations: global health and environment; global development; human rights and international law; international communication and the arts; identity and conflict; and diplomacy, security, governance. They are also required to complete 300- and 400-level courses that focus directly on their chosen thematic concentration. Students must choose a regional concentration area with the approval of the departmental advisor. This area can be defined as either:

Students with the International Studies B.A. degree take their education in many directions. They are well prepared to work in education, federal and state government, research and policy think tanks, non-profit and foreign aid organizations, the cooperative job sector, international banking and business, and the military. Graduates with the International Studies B.A. have become researchers, information analysts, linguists, policy advisors, educators, translators, tourism advisors, businesspersons, security personnel, journalists, and aid workers.