International and Global Studies

The International and Global Studies degree provides a broad understanding of world affairs and competence for entry-level positions in the field.

Students learn how to conduct research and receive professional development training to prepare them for careers such as those in government, non-profit or business.

Graduates have gone on to work in the Department of State, Department of Commerce, Department of Interior, Central Intelligence Agency and Peace Corps.

Both a major and a minor are available:

• Bachelor of Arts in International and Global Studies
• Minor in International and Global Studies

Those majoring in the program can select one or more tracks:

• The Political and Cultural Affairs Track guides majors towards courses that provide the cultural, historical and political backgrounds of various global regions. This track is for students interested in policy, politics, diplomacy, and non-profit work.
• The Economic and Trade Affairs Track guides majors towards courses that provide a strong foundation in global economic and business concepts. This track is for students interested in economic or business policy or consulting.
• The Latin American Studies Track guides majors towards courses that provide a solid understanding of the Latin American world. This track is for students interested in a variety of career paths in the Latin American world.
• The General Studies Track guides majors toward courses that provide an equal exposure to the different disciplines that comprise the degree.

Students can also earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as 5 years:

• Combined Bachelor of Arts in International and Global Studies and Master of Arts

This multidisciplinary degree is drawn from courses in Political Science, Economics, International Business, History, Anthropology and Languages.

Class highlights include:

• History of United States Foreign Policy
• Introduction to Global Affairs
• Introductory Macroeconomic Theory
• Language and Culture

See the catalog for a full course listing, including class descriptions:

Students are encouraged to participate in an internship to earn six semester hours of elective credit. Internships may be with governmental, non-governmental or private sector organizations.

Some examples of internships that students have completed include:

International Organizations:

• NGOs in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador
• Office of Human Rights, European Union: Luxembourg

Federal Public Service Sector:

• Department of Defense
• Federal Aviation Administration
• U.S. Department of Agriculture

State and City Government:

• Former Texas State Senator Frank Madla
• City of San Antonio International Affairs Office
• City of Kumamoto, Japan

Non-governmental and Nonprofit Organizations:

• Socially Responsible Investment Coalition Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras – San Antonio
• International Red Cross, Boston

Private Sector:

• Japanese Corporations
• Guadalajara, Mexico Free Trade Alliance
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Education:

• School of Law Immigration and Human Rights Clinic
• Center for Legal and Social Justice

Graduates have gone on to work in the Department of State, Department of Commerce, Department of Interior, Central Intelligence Agency and the Peace Corps.

Graduates are prepared to work in almost any business with an international component. Some examples include:

Public Sector:

• US Agency for International Development (USAID)
• Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Department of Homeland Security
• State and local government agencies

Private Sector:

• The Rand Corporation
• General Motors
• Honeywell, Inc.
• Wells Fargo

Not-for-Profit Sector:

• Institute for Integrated Rural Development (IIRD)
• Worldwatch Institute
• Goodwill
• Bread for the World

International Organizations:

• International Monetary Fund
• Inter-American Development Bank
• North American Development Bank
• Oxfam

Education:

• Public and privat schools
• Community colleges
• Overseas teaching opportunities