International Studies B.A.

University Admissions - College of Arts and Sciences

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

• Freshman: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/admission-information/requirements-deadlines.aspx

• Transfer: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/index.aspx

• International: https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/index.aspx

For Admission information specific to the College of Arts and Sciences, see the information at College of Arts and Sciences .

Graduation Requirements - College of Arts and Sciences

Satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

• Students must complete all State and University level graduation requirements.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in USF coursework. Note: Some Departments/program/major require a higher GPA. Students should refer to Department/program/major specific catalog requirements.
  • The College may approve an exception when a student has successfully earned the minimum grade required for all courses applied in the major but does not have a major GPA of 2.0.
• Physical Education coursework is limited to two (2) semester hours.
• ROTC courses that are primarily physical training and field experiences will not be applied to College of Arts and Sciences degree programs. All other military Science coursework will apply, in particular, coursework utilized toward completing an established ROTC minor will be applied to the total hours toward degree. 
• When earning a second degree, double major or concurrent degree, the Major Core and Major Elective/Concentration areas of the degree audit must not overlap for both degrees.  All other areas of the degree audit may have overlapping credit hours applied.
• Maximum of 20 hours of S/U option. S/U contracts must be negotiated in writing within the first three (3) weeks of the term. None of the 20 credits may be taken in the student’s major unless S/U is the only grading option. Coursework fulfilling the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements and the State Communication Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Writing) and State Computation Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Math) may not be taken S/U.
• The Audit option is available only during the first 5 days of classes.
• Complete all major course requirements.
• College of Arts and Sciences students are expected to complete a minimum of 50% of their major and/or minor coursework in residence at USF. Some College of Arts and Sciences Departments/programs/majors have established additional major course hours to be taken in residency at USF. See the major or program section of the catalog for these credit-hour requirements.

Required Courses: (42 credit hours)

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - International Studies B.A.

Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program. 

Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program. 

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.

There are no State Mandated Common Prerequisites for this program.

State Mathematics Pathway – International Studies B.A. (6 Credit Hours)

The International Studies B.A. uses the Mathematical Thinking in Context Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:

• MGF 1130 - Mathematical Thinking Credit(s): 3
• MGF 1131 - Mathematical Thinking in Context Credit(s): 3

Major Core Courses: 6 courses; 18 credit hours

The major consists of a minimum of 36 credit hours. At least 27 of these credit hours (nine courses) must be from the International Studies Program offerings.

• INR 3011 - Globalization Credit(s): 3
• INR 4083 - Conflict in the World Credit(s): 3
• INR 3038 - International Wealth and Power Credit(s): 3

• OR CPO 4034 - Politics of the Developing Areas  Credit(s): 3

• INR 3202 - International Human Rights Credit(s): 3

• OR INR 4502 - International Organizations  Credit(s): 3

• Two (2) area studies courses from the INT upper-division electives (3 credit hours each)

Major Elective Courses: 6 courses; 18 credit hours

The additional 18 credit hours must include at least three elective courses (9 credit hours) from within the International Studies discipline offered in the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies; the remaining 9 credit hours can be selected from courses offered from other departments which are approved by the major advisor as having adequate international or cross-cultural content. Please see the International Studies advisor for a full list of courses to meet the INT elective requirements.

With the approval of the major advisor, credits earned in INR 4900 - Directed Readings  and INR 4910 - Directed Research  may be used to augment or substitute for the foregoing requirements. 

Students must pass a 2000-level foreign language course (that is, at least one semester of foreign language study beyond the first year introductory courses), or complete one year of study of a non-Western language. Students who are bilingual or who are already conversationally fluent or who can translate with facility from a foreign language text are exempt from the above course requirement, but the INT faculty may require demonstration of proficiency.

Students are encouraged, but not required, to engage in study abroad programs, a large number of which have been approved by the USF Education Abroad Department. Credits earned in such programs apply toward graduation and many also apply to the International Studies major. A limited number of internships in the Tampa Bay area are available to provide students with real-world experience while earning credits in the major. Also, USF is affiliated with The Washington Center, an internship program in the nation’s Capital.

Additional Information - International Studies B.A.

Research Opportunities - College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914  course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research is able to assist with further inquiries.

Advising Information - College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate Advising Information

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Advising Team provides students with support to create timely graduation plans that will integrate both their academic and professional goals.  Each of our undergraduate programs has dedicated professional advisors with specialized knowledge and understanding of the major requirements, course offerings, undergraduate research, and career opportunities in their field.  Additionally, we have dedicated pre-health and prelaw advisors to help students prepare for admission to professional graduate programs.

CAS Academic Advisor Contact information can be found here: CAS Advisors

To schedule an advising appointment: Advising Appointments

Plans of Study - International Studies B.A.

•  International Studies B.A.- 2 Year Plan of Study  
•  International Studies B.A.- 4 Year Plan of Study (Fall Start)