International Studies

Academics
Majors, Minors, and Programs
International Studies

International Studies

The International Studies Major approaches complex global systems, themes, and challenges—such as war, climate change, migration, development, and global health—from diverse perspectives across multiple academic disciplines.

Overview

In Centre’s International Studies Program, you will explore global systems through an interdisciplinary lens that includes politics, culture, history, economics, art, and social justice. This will help you think across traditional disciplinary boundaries as an approach to addressing the world’s most complex global challenges such as migration, war, health, human rights, and the environment. The insights you gain into the processes and institutions that shape global activities will help you develop expertise in ongoing events in this complex and rapidly changing world. As connections between nations deepen, your ability to navigate cultural differences, understand geopolitical shifts, and analyze global challenges is invaluable. International studies will help prepare you for a wide range of careers in diplomacy, international business, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), education, technology, and international law.

Your Major Took You Where?

International Studies majors have gone on to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

Employers and Professions

International Corporate Consulting
United States Government: Department of State, Department of Defense, Peace Corps, FBI
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Meta
ConocoPhillips
Wells Fargo

Postgraduate Study

University of Chicago
Miami University
University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce
Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
George Washington University
Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver

Curriculum

The International Studies major at ��ý combines core interdisciplinary courses including a senior seminar. In addition, students design their own specialization (4 courses) around a theme, geographical area, or complex issue in collaboration with their advisor. For example, a student might be interested in environmental challenges in the Global South. They could combine an ENS (environmental studies) course with courses in Politics, Economics, and/or Anthropology in order to deepen their understanding of that particular topic.

Experiential Learning

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences and reflection to develop skills and increase knowledge retention.

International studies majors are encouraged to take full advantage of Centre’s nationally renowned Study Abroad Program, which allows you to study in semester-long programs offered in 13 different countries. Short-term courses are available during summer and CentreTerm with previous courses in Germany, Italy, Japan, Lake Tahoe, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Tahiti, and Thailand, to name a few.

Internships

We're committed to helping students find quality internship experiences in the career area of their choice.

Centre students have had internships at local, state, and federal levels of the government. Many have interned in such places as Washington, D.C. (Supreme Court, foreign embassies, Congress offices, U.S. Department of State, and the Office of Naval Intelligence), or locally, at the Lexington-Fayette Human Rights Commission. Others have secured internships with international organizations such as Amnesty International, Save the Children, and the International Committee for the Red Cross.

Careers

Our extraordinary liberal arts and sciences education prepares students for meaningful lives and careers.

Graduates with an international studies degree from Centre have found success in careers such as business, diplomacy, journalism, politics, public policy, international relations, and law in the international arena. 