International Studies, BA, Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
Sample Plan for New Students
The sample shows a typical plan to complete the degree based on current degree requirements and course offerings, and is not the only possible plan. The number of credits for each course is in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites, and the order of courses in the sample plan accounts for these. Each new student, in consultation with their advisor, will complete a personal academic plan tailored to their specific goals and interests.
- Semester Degree Plan (for students who enroll in Summer 2027 or beyond)
- Quarter Degree Plan (for students who enroll prior to Summer 2027)
For more information about 探花精选's transition to the semester calendar, visit SU Moves to Semesters.
Important Major Information
- Minimum Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits or 180 quarter credits
- Credits in Major: 42 semester credits or 70 quarter credits
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.0
- Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0
Semester-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Sample Plan For New Students
For students who enroll in Summer 2027 or beyond
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | College Language Requirement (4) | College Language Requirement (4) |
| Course 2 | UCOR 1000: Signature Seminar (3) | UCOR Stage I (3) |
| Course 3 | UCOR Stage I (3) | UCOR Stage I (3) |
| Course 4 | HIST 1210: Constructing Past and Present II (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 5 | INST 2000: Global Cultural Citizenship (3) | INST 2300: Introduction to Comparative Politics (3) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Create plan in Student Planning
- Get Involved
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | Language III (4) | Language IV (4) |
| Course 2 | UCOR Stage II (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 3 | UCOR Stage II (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 4 | INST 2600: Introduction to International Politics (3) | UCOR Stage II (3) |
| Course 5 | HIST 2010: Workshop in World History (3) | ECON course (3) (select from 4 options) |
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
- Plan for Study Abroad
- Meet with Career Engagement Office
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 |
Experiential Learning: At least two credits must be from Study Abroad or INST 4950 Internship. Study Abroad can be short term or long term, and include language, INST electives or UCOR courses. |
UCOR Stage III (3) |
| Course 2 | INST 3800: Research in International Studies (3) | |
| Course 3 | INST Elective (3) (choose from concentration) | |
| Course 4 | General Elective (3) | |
| Course 5 | General Elective (3) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Mentor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | UCOR Stage III (3) | INST Elective (3) (choose from concentration) |
| Course 2 | UCOR Stage III (3) | INST 4903: Department Honors Thesis Supervision (3) or General Elective (3) |
| Course 3 | INST 4900: Senior Capstone or 4901: Department Honors Senior Capstone (3) | General Elective (3) |
| Course 4 | INST Elective (3) (choose from concentration) | General Elective (3) |
| Course 5 | General Elective (3) | General Elective (3) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Mentor
- Apply for Graduation
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Stage I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Stage. For more information, please visit the University Core website.
Stage 1: Foundations
- UCOR 1000/2000 Signature Seminar
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- UCOR 1200 Quantitative Reasoning
- UCOR 1500 Philosophies of Humanity
Stage 2: Inquiry
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2300 Inquiry Seminar in Creative Arts and Expression
- UCOR 2400 Inquiry Seminar in Literature, Art, or History
- UCOR 2600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- UCOR 2800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
- UCOR 29XX Ethical Inquiry
Stage 3: Engagement
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3200 Global Perspectives
- UCOR 3300 Responsibility and Action
Curriculum Notes
- INST Electives: Choose a total of 19 credits of approved electives as found in the Course Catalog in consultation with your academic advisor. At least 3 of these 9 elective credits must have a Non-Western Humanities designation (NWH). At least 6 elective credits must be 3000-4000 level.
- INST 4950 – Internship counts as elective in any of the four concentrations.
- Students who place out of a second year of language (2000-level) must take 18 credits of INST major electives instead of 9 credits.
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the .
- Level up your skills at the .
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for .
- Search the expansive network of .
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.
Expand your horizons:
- Apply for .
- Create something at the .
Quarter-Based Degree Plan
Four-Year Sample Plan For New Students
For students who enroll prior to Summer 2027
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | Language 1150 (5) | Language 1250 (5) | Language 1350 (5) |
| Course 2 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | INST 2000 – Global Cultural Citizenship (5) | HIST 1210 – Studies in Modern Civilization (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 1 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Create plan in Student Planning
- Get Involved
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | HIST 2010 – Workshop in World History (5) | INST 2300 – Intro to Comp. Politics (5) |
INST 2100 – World Geography (5) |
| Course 2 | Language 2150 (5) | Language 2250 (5) | Language 235 (5) |
| Course 3 | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) | INST 2600 – Intro to Int’l Politics (5) |
Year 2 Steps for Success
- Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
- Plan for Study Abroad
- Meet with Career Engagement Office
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | Experiential Learning: At least three credits must be from Study Abroad or INST 4950 Internship. Study Abroad can be short term or long term, and include language, INST electives or UCOR courses. | Economics course (see catalog for options) (5) | INST 3800 – Research in Int’l Studies (5) |
| Course 2 | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | |
| Course 3 | UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) |
Year 3 Steps for Success
- Find Internship or Research Opportunities
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Review Educational Plan
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | General Elective (5) | INST 4900 – Senior Capstone (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 2 | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) | General Elective (5) |
| Course 3 | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) | General Elective (5) |
Year 4 Steps for Success
- Meet with Faculty Advisor
- Apply for Graduation
- Continue Post Graduation Planning
University Core Requirements
UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See for prerequisites and for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements.
Module I:
- UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
- UCOR 1200 Quantitative Thinking
- UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
- UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
- UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
- UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences
Module II:
- UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
- UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
- UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning
Module III:
- UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
- UCOR 3400 Humanities and Global Challenges
- UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences and Global Challenges
Curriculum Notes
- The has more information on INST concentrations, elective courses, study abroad, internships, departmental honors, etc.
- INST Electives: Choose a total of 15 credits of approved electives as found in the Course Catalog and listed on the , in consultation with your academic advisor. At least 5 of these 15 elective credits must have a Non-Western Humanities designation (NWH). At least ten elective credits must be 3000-4000 level.
- INST 4950 – Internship counts as elective in any of the four concentrations.
- Students who place out of a second year of language (2000-level) must take 30 credits of INST major electives instead of 15 credits
- For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.
Use MySeattleU Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.
Visit the page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.
Resources for Success
Soar during your time here:
- Find support for academic success, inclusion, and professional formation from the Student Success division.
- Receive equal access to courses, programs, and activities with Disability Services.
- Get answers to common questions at the Student Resource Network.
Excel in every class:
- Sign up for academic support with Learning Assistance Programs.
- Strengthen your writer’s voice at the .
- Level up your skills at the .
Source the best research:
- Connect with your librarians for .
- Search the expansive network of .
Graduate on time:
- Map out your degree plan with academic advising.
- Keep your momentum going with Summer Programs.
Build your future career:
- Meet with a Career Advisor from the Career Engagement Office.
- Explore career options at the “What Can I Do With This Major” page.
Expand your horizons:
- Apply for .
- Create something at the .