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International & Global Studies: International Development Studies - Bachelor of Science 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
BS Math/Statistics3-4BS Science with lab3-4BS Science with lab3-4
Major Core Course #1 4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits12-13Total Winter Credits12-13Total Spring Credits12-13

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4
Major Core Course #24Major Core Course #3 4BA Second Language 2033-5
BS Science4General Elective4General Elective4
Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement3-4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits15-16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits14-17

Second Year Milestones: Math and science complete by end of second year

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
International Development Studies 3**/4** Elective4International Development Studies 3**/4** Elective4International Development Studies 4** Elective4
International Development Studies 3**/4** Elective4International Development Studies 4** Elective4General Elective4
General 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 Electives4Additional 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:

  • 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) or EC 350
  • 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.
  • International Development Studies 3**/4** Elective: You must select 12 credits of International Development Studies (IDS) Upper Division Electives (Three courses of INTL 3**/4**).
  • International Development Studies 4** Elective: You must select 8 credits of International Development Studies (IDS) 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: IDS Studies

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