International Studies

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2026-2027

College of Humanities and Sciences

Concentration(s):

European Studies, General Studies, International Social Justice Studies, Latin American Studies, World Cinema

Program description

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is designed for students to acquire the historical, theoretical, and methodological knowledge to explore how culture, religion, media, politics, economics, and the environment shape each other and shape human life and the hands-on experience to participate in the work of building a sustainable and generous society that empowers all persons to live well as responsible global citizens. The program strengthens students’ abilities to see the world from diverse perspectives, communicate across cultures, and work with others to address significant challenges facing human beings locally and globally.

The program offers concentrations in Film Studies, Latin American Studies, European Studies, and International Social Justice. Each concentration offers a range of courses from which students may choose to fashion a course of study that best supports their educational and career goals. As is true with World Studies’ degrees in Anthropology, Foreign Languages, and Religious Studies, International Studies offers opportunities to engage in real world learning through internships, lab-based and field research, and study abroad programs. Through their coursework, students connect with students from different cultural backgrounds and develop genuine empathy and a practical commitment to contribute to the social good.

Career opportunities

International Studies majors graduate with an abundance of transferable knowledge, skills, and experience that are highly employable in a variety of businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, institutions, and programs that understand the value of diversity and are committed to contributing to the health and well being of society. These include such areas as social betterment organizational management, leadership, and advocacy; humanitarian relief; refugee assistance; research analyst for organizations and institutions that focus on barriers to and support for development, democracy, human rights, and environmental restoration, preservation, and protection; international cultural ambassadorship and cultural affairs; international journalism, reporting, communications; global business affairs; civil rights and legal aid/advocacy.

We encourage students to double-major in International Studies and one of the other majors degrees in the School of World Studies: Anthropology, Foreign Languages or Religious Studies, as doing so strengthens their cumulative knowledge, experience, academic record and resume for success in whatever path they choose after graduation.

Change of major requirements

Submit a change of major form to declare. Schedule an advising appointment with an academic advisor in the School of World Studies via Navigate or via telephone at (804) 827-1111 prior to approval.

Bachelor-level job titles

Administrative Assistant
Blogger/Vlogger
Event Planner
Flight Attendant
Health Systems Front Desk Specialist
Office Manager
Reporter
Social and Human Services Assistant
Social Media Manager
User Experience (UX) Researcher
Web Content Manager

Graduate and professional level job titles

Diplomat
Foreign Affairs Specialist
International School Administrator
Producer

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in European studies

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in Latin American studies

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in general studies

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in international social justice studies

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in world cinema

Plan of study in Bulletin

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in European studies

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in Latin American studies

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in general studies

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in international social justice studies

International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in world cinema

Requirements

Highest level of math required

Quantitative Foundations requirement only

Science required

Natural Sciences requirement only

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.25+ major GPA

Transfer Maps

View Transfer Maps for this major

Contact information

Department name:

School of World Studies

Building/room location:

312 North Shafer Street

Phone:

(804) 827-1111

Email:

info-sws@vcu.edu

https://worldstudies.vcu.edu/academic-programs/international-studies/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to start goal planning, and choose electives.
Sharpen your study skills in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the Campus Learning Center.
Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
Schedule an informational appointment with an academic advisor by visiting the International Studies program page.
Continue language course sequence from high school or begin a new sequence.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations (BSPS Student club, Chemistry, etc.)
Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests.
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
Consider applying to the Honors College.
Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community.
Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets and Rams Abroad 101 to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Explore What Can I Do With This Major? to learn about career paths, employers, and strategies for building experience related to your field of study.
Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
Continue to fulfill language requirements.
Explore scholarship opportunities for study abroad and discuss strategies for success in your degree with faculty and advisors.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Register for the VCU Globe Program and begin tracking your global leadership growth!

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
Engage in an active process of career exploration through SWS sequences of workshops and via Career Services

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
Students considering graduate school should discuss research projects with SWS faculty.
Complete WRLD 302 and RELS 340.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Design a community-engaged research project.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
Update your ePortfolio.
Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
Consider taking WRLD 394 - Research Assistantship, or doing the VA Capitol Semester.
Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
Take INTL 490 Senior Capstone.

EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY

Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Consider Peace Corps Prep, or scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Office.
Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
Expand your network; you can network anywhere!

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2026-2027

International Studies

College of Humanities and Sciences

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to start goal planning, and choose electives. Sharpen your study skills in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the Campus Learning Center. Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills. Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help. Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner. Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals. Schedule an informational appointment with an academic advisor by visiting the International Studies program page. Continue language course sequence from high school or begin a new sequence.	Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations (BSPS Student club, Chemistry, etc.) Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests. Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks. Consider applying to the Honors College. Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community. Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets and Rams Abroad 101 to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.	Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones. Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists. Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake. Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services. Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage. Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app. Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.	Explore What Can I Do With This Major? to learn about career paths, employers, and strategies for building experience related to your field of study. Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page. Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future. Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor. Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
Experience	Year 2	Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience. Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Continue to fulfill language requirements. Explore scholarship opportunities for study abroad and discuss strategies for success in your degree with faculty and advisors.	Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty. Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit. Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities. Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Register for the VCU Globe Program and begin tracking your global leadership growth!	Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field. Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work. Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake. Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events. Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value. Engage in an active process of career exploration through SWS sequences of workshops and via Career Services	Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships. Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest. Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation. Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Experience	Year 3	Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning. Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning. Students considering graduate school should discuss research projects with SWS faculty. Complete WRLD 302 and RELS 340.	Design a community-engaged research project. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions. Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities. Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU. Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning. Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.	Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor. Update your ePortfolio. Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience. Consider taking WRLD 394 - Research Assistantship, or doing the VA Capitol Semester. Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.	Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship. Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center. Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility. Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job. Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revisit gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met. Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree. Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree. Take INTL 490 Senior Capstone.	Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization. Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships. Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Consider Peace Corps Prep, or scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Office. Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.	Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers. Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps. Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity. Expand your network; you can network anywhere!	Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities. Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter. Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.