Bachelor of Science in Global Studies

The Bachelor of Science in Global Studies is an interdisciplinary degree that draws from coursework in the social sciences, humanities, and related fields. Global studies students examine the political, economic, cultural, and social forces that transect and sometimes blur the borders among nations and communities. The major provides students with the opportunity to understand and critically evaluate the broad trends that shape our increasingly globalized world and to focus on the issues that most interest and motivate them. The flexibility of the degree allows students to discover and pursue their own interests in areas such as: global governance, environmental sustainability, public health, human migration, and the challenges facing particular regions of the world. 

The B.S. in Global Studies provides students with a diverse toolkit containing the knowledge, concepts, and skills they will need to understand and meet the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world. Students are trained in several of the quantitative and qualitative methods of research and analysis valued by employers in a vast array of organizations, institutions, and businesses involved in global affairs. These may include geographic information systems, program evaluation and policy analysis, and intercultural communication. Global studies can also prepare students for pursuing advanced degrees in a variety of academic and professional fields.  

The objectives of the global studies major are to develop in its graduates:        

• A clear understanding of global issues and the global connectivity of people and places
• The skills needed to analyze global challenges and critically evaluate existing approaches to dealing with them
• The ability to communicate appropriately in different formats across disciplines and across cultures
• An understanding of the careers available to global studies majors and the ability to seek out relevant pre-professional experience  

Students will be required to complete 47 credit hours of core courses, a 120-hour internship requirement, and a language or international experience requirement. 

Required Courses

 Minimum degree credits required: 126

¹

 Students who have had Introduction to Microeconomics may substitute ECON 152.

Language Proficiency or International Experience Requirement

The language proficiency/international experience requirement may be satisfied in the following ways, subject to adviser approval:

• Participation in local events focusing on globalization and international affairs

AND

• Language proficiency (satisfaction of Illinois Tech requirement through proficiency exam and/or coursework; ETS proficiency exam; CLEP; the successful completion of intermediate level (second year) language coursework from an accredited institution with a "C" grade or better; or AP language credits)

OR

• International/experiential participation (international internship; locally-based internship with international focus; or study abroad)

Bachelor of Science in Global Studies Curriculum

¹

Two mathematics courses at the level of MATH 119 or above, including PSYC 203 or BUS 221.

²

Choose from HIST 311 or HIST 340.

³

Students must choose one of the following social science methods sequences: SSCI 225 and SSCI 325; or SSCI 209 and (PSYC 320 or SSCI 387).

⁴

Choose from PS 388, SSCI 318, SSCI 376, or SSCI 380.

⁵

Choose from BUS 452, HIST 305, HIST 306, HIST 311, HIST 345, HIST 351, PS 329, PS 372, PS 373, PS 374, PS 375, PSYC 355, SSCI 220, SSCI 319, or SSCI 380.