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International & Global Studies: International Development Studies - Bachelor of Arts 2024-25 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps & Advising

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

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Bulletin or Catalog Year

This guide outlines the requirements in the 2024-25 Bulletin. Bulletin or 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. Review PSU's course catalog policy and talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you. 

 

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DARS System  

Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report in myPSU to track their progress through their program. You'll need to know which catalog year you'd like to use for your audit request. Students are also encouraged to contact an advisor if they have any questions about their DARS, catalog/bulletin year, or degree requirements in general. DARS audits are advising tools and are not an official record of earning a degree, major, minor, or certificate. You must apply to have a degree or certificate awarded.

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First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5
BA Second Language 101 or 2013-5BA Second Language 102 or 2023-5BA Second Language 103 or 2033-5
BA Science/Math3-4INTL 2014General 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
INTL 2034General Elective4INTL 202 or 2044
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 Requirement3-4International Development Studies Elective4International Development Studies Elective4
International Development Studies Elective4International Development Studies Elective4General Elective4
International Development Studies 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
International Development Studies Elective4International Development Studies Elective4Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
International Development Studies 4** Elective4International Development Studies Elective4International Development Studies 4** Elective4
General Elective4General Elective4Upper Division General 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), Chicanx/Latinx 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.
  • International Development Studies Elective: Select eight courses (32 credits) from the approved list of IDS electives. At least four of these courses (16 credits) must have an INTL prefix. See bulletin for list of approved courses.
  • International Development Studies 4** Elective: Select two courses from the following list of 400 level IDS electives. At least one course (4 credits) must have an INTL prefix: INTL 407, 470, 471, 490, PS 448, 454, 455, 477.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

Resources for International & Global Studies: IDS Studies

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