International Studies

Division of Academic Affairs

The world is changing quickly and countries and cultures are increasingly interconnected. Students who graduate today will work in environments that involve communication with people all around the globe. To be prepared for this global environment, students need to acquire understanding of other cultures through multicultural study, language proficiency development and experience abroad. The international studies major combines these elements with study of an academic major to provide students with the best preparation available to live, work and participate in leisure activities in a global environment.

The Program

The international studies major is a program of study that is offered concurrently with a student's primary major. It provides students with the opportunity to internationalize their major by combining special requirements to obtain the international studies major as a complement to their academic field of study. Students complete 27 credits of course work including an integrative senior project, demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language and participate in an experience abroad to graduate with a bachelor's degree with a major in international studies.

The Curriculum

In addition to the courses required for their primary major, students seeking the international studies major are required to take courses that have an international focus. In addition to the required 12 credit core, nine to twelve credits of electives also are required and will be chosen with the help of the student's adviser. An integrative senior project that ties international study to the primary degree completes the degree.

Language Preparation

Knowledge of a foreign language is an important part of the program of study. At NDSU students can study French, German and Spanish. Additional language study is available through the Tri-College University in languages such as Norwegian, Russian, Japanese and Chinese. Foreign language proficiency equivalent to completion of two years of college language study is required. This requirement can be met either through appropriate course work or through a testing procedure in the Department of Modern Languages.

Study Abroad

An important part of the international studies major is participation in a study, work or research experience abroad at least 10 weeks in length. NDSU offers university sponsored study abroad programs in countries such as France, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands and Sweden. Opportunities also are available in countries all over the world through NDSU's membership in the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) and the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) consortia, as well as programs through other universities. Students also can do research or work abroad through a variety of programs available internationally. Assistance with finding an overseas study program is available in the Office of International Programs.

Selective Admission

In order to be eligible to participate in the international studies major, students must have sophomore standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 Eligible students also must have initiated advanced-level course work in their academic major and completed one year of college foreign language study.

Additional information about the international studies major is available through the department of a student's academic major, the college International Studies major adviser, the Department of Modern Languages, and the Office of International Programs. Faculty or staff in each of these areas is available to help students plan their programs.

Contact Information

Your major academic department or
Office of International Programs

North Dakota State University
Ceres Hall 338
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7895
Fax: (701) 231-1014
Email:NDSU.International@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/international

For language requirement questions contact:
Department of Modern Languages

North Dakota State University
Minard Hall 320
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7887
Fax: (701) 231-1047
Email:Paul.Homan@ndsu.edu

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

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