International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (NEXT STEP Pathway)
VCU
Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts
Completing the associate degree will waive VCU's general education requirements.
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.
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.
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- Health Systems Front Desk Specialist
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- Reporter
- Social and Human Services Assistant
- Social Media Manager
- User Experience (UX) Researcher
- Web Content Manager
- Diplomat
- Foreign Affairs Specialist
- International School Administrator
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Telephone: (804) 827-1349
Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu
VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist
Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638
Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.
Students are guaranteed admission to this degree program with:
- Completion of the associate degree
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- All courses completed with a "C" grade or better
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 world cinema
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 world cinema
- Quantitative Foundations requirement only
- Natural Sciences requirement only
- Yes
- No
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.25+ major GPA
International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (NEXT STEP Pathway)
Reynolds Community College (Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts)
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Explore | Year 1 |
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| Experience | Year 2 |
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MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Register for SDV 100.
- Schedule an advising appointment with your Reynolds advisor and review your Reynolds advising workbook.
- Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Cultivate relationships with your professors.
- Explore financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Explore the School of World Studies website.
- Get involved with student clubs and organizations.
- Volunteer for service learning or community service projects.
- Find out if you are eligible for the NEXT STEP VCU program.
- Learn about the transfer admission process for VCU.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend cultural events at community college and VCU to celebrate diversity.
- Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
- Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
- Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Familiarize yourself with Handshake and explore Career Pathways on the VCU Career Services’ Website.
- Browse careers and occupations related to international studies.
- Explore iGrad to look into building a career and financial future.
- Build a LinkedIn profile.
- Take a career assessment to explore job options.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
- Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
- Create a weekly and monthly budget.
- Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an advising appointment with your Reynolds advisor.
- Meet with your NEXT STEP advisor or submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
- Be prepared for academic challenges. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
- Submit the FAFSA on time.
- Explore the concentrations of international studies.
- Explore options for a minor or second major at VCU.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Submit the NEXT Step Interest Form.
- Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
- Research housing options for next year.
- Attend a talk or other event sponsored by the School of World Studies.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
- Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
- Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or department-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
- Use Handshake to explore jobs and internships that match your interests and skills.
- If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
- Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
- Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
- Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (NEXT STEP Pathway)
Reynolds Community College (Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts)
| Course | Title | Equivalent course | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||||
| SDV 100 | College Success Skills | UNIV 101 | 1 | Elective |
| ENG 111 | College Composition I | UNIV 111-112 | 3 | General education |
| ITE 152 | Introduction to Digital Literacy | BUSN 1XX | 3 | Elective |
| World Language | Select one: FRE 101 Beginning French I or SPA 101 Beginning Spanish I | FREN 101 or SPAN 101 | 4 | Major |
| MTH | Select one: MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning or MTH 161 Precalculus I | MATH 131 or MATH 141 | 3 | General education |
| ENG 112 | College Composition II | UNIV 200 | 3 | General education |
| World Language | FRE 102 Beginning French II or SPA 102 Beginning Spanish II | FREN 102 or SPAN 102 | 4 | Major |
| History | Select one: HIS 101 Western Civilizations Pre-1600 CE, or HIS 102 Western Civilizations Post-1600 CE, or HIS 111 World Civilizations Pre-1500 CE, or HIS 112 World Civilizations Post-1500 CE, or HIS 121 United States History to 1877, or HIS 122 United States History since 1877. | HIST | 3 | General education |
| UCGS Transfer Elective | VCU equivalent | 3 | Elective | |
| Select one: ART 100 Art Appreciation, or HUM 202 Modern Humanities, or PHI 220 Ethics. | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education | |
| Year 2 | ||||
| World Language | FRE 201 Intermediate French I or SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish I. | FREN 201 or SPAN 201 | 3 | Major |
| History | Select one: HIS 121 United States History to 1877, or HIS 122 United States History since 1877. | HIST 103 or HIST 104 | 3 | General education |
| Science | Select one (students should not take BIO 101 and BIO 106, credit will not be given for both): BIO 101 General Biology I, or BIO 106 Life Science, or CHM 111 General Chemistry I, or GOL 105 Physical Geology. | VCU equivalent | 4 | General education |
| UCGS Transfer Elective | VCU equivalent | 3 | Elective | |
| Literature | Select one: ENG 225 Reading Literature: Culture and Ideas, or ENG 245 British Literature, or ENG 246 American Literature, or ENG 250 Children’s Literature, or ENG 255 World Literature, or ENG 258 African American Literature, or ENG 275 Women’s Literature | ENGL | 3 | General education |
| CST | Select one: CST 100 Principles of Public Speaking or CST 110 Introduction to Human Communication | SPCH 221 or SPCH 121 | 3 | General education |
| World Language | FRE 202 Intermediate French II or SPA 202 Intermediate Spanish II. | FREN 202 or SPAN 202 | 3 | Major |
| Social Science | Select one: PSY 200 Principles of Psychology, or SOC 200 Principles of Sociology, or PLS 135 U.S. Government and Politics. | VCU equivalent | 3 | General education |
| UCGS Transfer Electives (select two) | VCU equivalents | 6 | Elective | |
| Reynolds credits transferred to VCU | 61 | |||
| Course | Title | Credits | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3 (Explore study abroad options with your academic advisor) | |||
| INTL 101 | Human Societies and Globalization | 3 | Major (Ancillary) |
| INTL 215 | International Studies in the Professional World | 3 | Major |
| INTL concentration course (see VCU advisor for course options) | 3 | Major | |
| Open electives (consider a minor or second major) Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. | 6 | Elective | |
| WRLD 210 | International Social Justice Studies | 3 | Major |
| WRLD 302 | Communicating Across Cultures | 3 | Major |
| INTL concentration course (see VCU advisor for course options) | 3 | Major | |
| Open electives (consider a minor or second major) Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. | 6 | Elective | |
| Year 4 | |||
| Optional summer study abroad (recommended); credits completed during study abroad will decrease open electives needed in subsequent semesters In consultation with an academic adviser, 0-6 credits in INTL, a foreign language relevant to concentration or degree electives | 0 to 6 | Major | |
| INTL 375 | Interdisciplinary Methods for International Studies Research | 3 | Major |
| INTL 465 | Rethinking Globalization | 3 | Major |
| WRLD 495 | World ePass Portfolio | 0 | Major |
| INTL concentration course (see VCU advisor for course options) | 3 | Major | |
| Open electives (consider a minor or second major) Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. | 6 | Elective | |
| INTL 490 | Senior Capstone in International Studies | 3 | Major |
| INTL concentration course (see VCU advisor for course options) | 3 | Major | |
| Open electives (consider a minor or second major) Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. | 9 | Elective | |
| Credits completed at VCU | 60 | ||
| Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree | 120 | ||