International Affairs

College: Social Sciences and Public Policy
Degree: BS and BA
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The participating departments (Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Modern Languages, Political Science, History, Philosophy, Public Administration, Religion, Sociology, and Urban and Regional Planning) cooperate to offer an interdepartmental major and minor combination, at the undergraduate and graduate levels, which is designed: 1) to equip students with a fundamental orientation in the field of international relations, 2) to provide basic methods of approach to the study, and 3) to provide intelligent observation of international affairs. Students are advised to coordinate their major coursework with foreign language study, focusing on a regional concentration. For the broader view of international affairs, students should include courses in economic organizations, and international relations. Each student majoring in International Affairs is encouraged to devote one semester to study abroad. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the internship opportunities in Tallahassee and/or Washington, D.C.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite Coursework: None
There is no prerequisite coursework for the major, but students are encouraged to take lower-level introductory courses in some of the participating disciplines. Such courses serve as background for the major and may meet prerequisites for more advanced courses in the major.

CPO 2002 is prerequisite for higher-level courses in Comparative Politics; INR 2002 is prerequisite for higher level courses in International Relations; ECO 2013 and 2023 are prerequisite for some higher level courses in economics.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major
To be admitted, students must complete at least 52 hours of coursework with a minimum FSU GPA of 2.00 and most of the hours General Education requirements met, including both freshman English composition and mathematics, or an A.A. degree.

Requirements

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (39 hours; beyond General Education or an AA Degree)

39 hours required beyond General Education requirements or an AA Degree with a grade of C minus or higher in each course and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. All coursework must be selected from the approved list of courses in participating departments; to see the list; go to http://www.coss.fsu.edu/inaprog/content/undergraduate-course-list .Selected coursework must meet the following criteria:

1. INS 3003 (3) Introduction to International Affairs
2. A minimum of 12 hours, maximum of 18 hours, in one department or concentration area.
3. At least 18 hours must be above 2999.
4. A minimum of 27 classroom hours.

In addition, majors must complete, or demonstrate proficiency in, a modern foreign language through the intermediate level (2220 or equivalent).

Digital Literacy: (3 hours)
CGS 2060 or CGS 2100 meets this requirement for the major.

Oral Communication Competency: (3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with an approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 39*
Minor Coursework 0
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Competency 3
Electives to bring total credits to 120

* NOTE: Hours taken to meet General Education requirements cannot be used to fulfill the 39 required hours in International Affairs.*

Mapping

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. Students who plan to earn the B. A. degree must complete, or demonstrate proficiency in, a foreign language through the intermediate (2200 or equivalent) level and nine additional hours in the fields of history and humanities.

Employment Information

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Foreign Service Officer, Foreign Affairs Analyst, Foreign Service Specialist, Research & Education Assistant, Intelligence Analyst, Political Risk Analyst, Teacher, Journalist.

Representative Employers: U.S. Government (including the State Department, Defense Department, Defense Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, International Communications Agency), State Government, Multinational Corporations, Educational Institutions, Non-profit Organizations.