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International & Global Studies: Global Studies - Bachelor of Arts 2023-24 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
BA Second Language 101 or 2013-5BA Second Language 102 or 2023-5BA Second Language 103 or 2033-5
BA Science/Math3-4Major Core Course #1 4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits11-14Total Winter Credits12-14Total Spring Credits12-14

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5BA Second Language 2033-5
Major Core Course #24Major Core Course #34General Elective4
BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits14-17Total Winter Credits15-17Total Spring Credits14-17

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4Global Studies 3**/4** Elective4Global Studies 4** Elective4
Global Studies 3**/4** Elective4Global Studies 4** Elective4General Elective4
Global Studies 3**/4** Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits15-16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits16

Third Year Note: For graduation, a minimum of 20 credit hours are required to be in INTL prefix courses.

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Additional Major Approved Electives6Additional Major Approved Electives4Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
Additional Major Approved Electives4Additional Major Approved Electives4Additional Major Approved Electives4
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
General Elective4General Elective3  
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits15Total Spring Credits14

Fourth Year Note: For graduation, a minimum of 20 credit hours are required to be in INTL prefix courses.

Additional Map Notes:

  • BA Second Language 101 or 201: Start with 101 or 201 depending on competency level. 
  • BA Second Language 201, BA Second Language 202, and BA Second Language 203: Take General Electives instead if 200-level language competency is already achieved. 
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead. Several INTL courses carry the RESR (International) designation, and may apply towards major requirements: INTL 325U, INTL 360U, INTL 372U/BST 372U, INTL 380U.
  • Major Core Course #1: Select one: INTL 201(recommended), ANTH 103, GEOG 230, GEOG 331, HST 106, PS 103, PS 205
  • Major Core Course #2: Select one: INTL 202(recommended), PS 345, SOC 320
  • Major Core Course #3: Select one:  INTL 203(recommended), INTL 204, ANTH 304, ANTH EC 350
  • Global Studies 3**/4** Elective: You must select 12 credits of Global Studies Upper Division Electives (Three courses of INTL 3**/4**).
  • Global Studies 4** Elective: You must select 8 credits of Global Studies Upper Division Electives (Two courses of INTL 4**).
  • Additional Major Approved Electives: You select 20 credits (5 courses) from a list of Additional Approved Electives. See academic advisor for list. 
  • General Elective: 62 Upper Division credits are needed for graduation. This course may need to be at the Upper Division, depending on other course choices. 
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

Resources for International & Global Studies: Global Studies

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