Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Studies

International Studies is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with a rich understanding of other cultures. This kind of intercultural communication is becoming increasingly valuable in our globalized, connected world. A background in International Studies can open up careers in a variety of fields, including business, government, missions, teaching, medicine, and others.

Careers for International Studies majors

Students of International Studies may choose between three offerings:

• B.A. in International Studies (INTS) - with a choice between four regional tracks: Europe, Latin America, Middle East, and East Asia
• B.A. in International Studies (INTU) - with a focus on the United States, for students who graduated from an international high school or who have lived outside the U.S. for at least eight (8) years
• Certificate in International Studies - for students who wish to add International Studies as a supplement to another major

The International Studies program at ACU equips students with the following skills:

• Understanding and interaction with people who are culturally diverse
• Knowledge of other cultures, languages, and institutions
• Ability to analyze and communicate across cultural or national lines
• Ability to adapt and appreciate others and their lifestyles
• Ability to understand and adapt programs, products, and services to the cultural background of the audience
• Language skills
• Problem-solving skills

INTS Departmental requirements for the B.A. in International Studies are as follows:

1. Foreign language, 0-15 hours:  The student must demonstrate first-semester junior-level proficiency in a second language, depending upon degree emphasis. Credit hours in other languages may be transferred from other institutions.
2. Required courses vary according to the world region.
   1. INTS ES (European Studies): INTS 301, INTS 499, ECON 260, HIST 474, POLS 485 (must also select an additional HIST 300+ course)
   2. INTS LAS (Latin American Studies): INTS 301, INTS 499, HIST 478, HIST 479, ECON 260, POLS 485
   3. INTS MES (Middle East Studies): INTS 301, INTS 499, ECON 260, BMIS 371, HIST 416, POLS 361
   4. INTS EAS (East Asia Studies): INTS 301, INTS 499, ECON 260, HIST 495, BMIS 371, POLS 485
3. Interdisciplinary distribution, 18 hours, chosen from at least three of the following areas:
   1. Business: BUSA 419, ECON 348
   2. Communication: COMS 345, 383
   3. Geography: GEOG 354
   4. International studies: INTS 400
   5. Literature: FLSP 482, 483; FLSP 352, 353
   6. Missions: BMIS 245, 371 (BMIS 371 may satisfy the general education advanced Bible requirement)
   7. Political science: POLS 345, 357, 358, 484, 485
4. A minimum GPA of 2.7 for courses in major.

INTU Departmental requirements for the B.A. in International Studies with a U.S. focus are as follows:

1. Foreign language, 15 hours: For students whose first language is any other language than English, no additional language prerequisites must be met. If English is the student's first language, then junior-level proficiency in a second language must be demonstrated.
2. Core courses, 6 hours: INTS 301 and 499
3. Geographic concentration (U.S.), 9 hours chosen from the following: HIST 404, 405, 421, 451, 455, 482. One travel-study course in a region of the U.S. outside of West Texas is required.
4. Interdisciplinary distribution, 18 hours chosen from at least three of the following areas:
   1. Bible/missions: BMIS 371, BIBH 357. One of these courses may satisfy the general education advanced Bible requirement.
   2. Business: BUSA 419
   3. Communication: COMS 345, 383
   4. Geography: GEOG 354
   5. International studies: INTS 400
   6. Literature: ENGL 362, 363, 446, 464
   7. Political science: POLS 381, 492
5. A minimum GPA of 2.7 for courses in major. 

Departmental requirements for the Certificate in International Studies are as follows:

1. Foreign language, 0-15 hours: The student must demonstrate first-semester junior-level proficiency in a second language, depending upon degree emphasis. Credit hours in other languages may be transferred from other accredited institutions.
2. Required courses: INTS 301 and 499
3. Interdisciplinary distribution, 12 hours chosen from at least three of the following areas, with a focus on one culture area:
   1. Business: BUSA 419
   2. Communication: COMS 345, 383
   3. Geography: GEOG 354
   4. History: HIST 416, 474, 479, 495
   5. Literature: FLSP 482, 483
   6. Missions: BMIS 245, 371. BMIS 371 may satisfy the general education advanced Bible requirement.
   7. Political science: POLS 345, 357, 358, 484, 485

Degree Plans and Sample Schedules

Course Descriptions