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Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

International Studies, BA

Explore other cultures, experience new perspectives and visit other countries. You can look forward to these experiences and more as an International Studies major.

You will see the world through interdisciplinary lenses. Our curriculum provides a broad background in international affairs, with courses in economics, world languages, geography, history, political science, religious studies, sociology, and anthropology. Courses foster original research and critical thinking through student participation and intensive faculty-student interactions.

You’ll gain valuable real-life experience through study abroad, global service learning, and internships. Students also participate in WVU programs, such as Model United Nations, Peace Corps Prep, debate, Student Government Association, and various student organizations.

Your Degree Plan

Student listens to discussion at Model UN
This interdisciplinary program includes courses in political science, languages, geography, history, sociology, anthropology, economics, and other topics. You’ll gain valuable real-life experience through study abroad, global service learning, and internships.
Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in 1 of these areas:

Global Connections

View in Catalog

Security and Diplomacy

View in Catalog
Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart?

  • Global service learning opportunities.
  • Study abroad and internship partnerships.
  • Some departmental scholarships available.
  • Extremely successful acceptance rate for nationally competitive scholarships, such as the Fulbright, Boren, and Critical Language scholarships.
  • Internationally competitive Model United Nations.
  • Only U.S. school to attend The European International Model United Nations.
  • Earn academic credit through Eberly internship courses.
  • 500+ scholarships awarded annually by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Academic Enrichment Program offers funding for activities that complement, extend and enhance your academic experience.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

This flexible major provides a core background in international affairs, and then enables you to focus on a regional area of emphasis (i.e., Africa/Middle East, the Americas, East Asia, and Europe) or a global affairs area of emphasis (i.e., international business, international environment and development, diplomacy and international security, or intelligence and national security).

This major can be closely integrated with study abroad programs, internships, global service learning, international conferences, and Model United Nations.

Through the ASPIRE Office, you can apply for nationally competitive scholarships, such as the Boren, Fulbright, Gilman, and Critical Language Scholarships.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

Median Salary: $93,580

Possible Job Titles: Crime Analyst (Criminal Analyst), Crime Intelligence Analyst (Criminal Intelligence Analyst), Intel Analyst (Intelligence Analyst), Intel Research Specialist (Intelligence Research Specialist)

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Political Scientists

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $139,380

Explore Career

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

Has a Bright Outlook

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $101,690

Possible Job Titles: Demographer, Medical Sociologist, Social Scientist, Sociologist

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Marketing Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm’s profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm’s customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $161,012

Possible Job Titles: Brand Manager, Business Development Manager, Marketing Director, Marketing Manager

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Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $115,440

Possible Job Titles: Economic Analyst, Economic Consultant, Economist, Forensic Economist

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Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Median Salary: $151,160

Possible Job Titles: Attorney, Attorney General, Counsel, Lawyer

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Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women’s studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

May Require Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $84,290

Possible Job Titles: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, Women's Studies Professor

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Secondary School Teachers

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Median Salary: $64,580

Possible Job Titles: English Teacher, Mathematics Instructor (Math Instructor), Social Studies Teacher, Teacher

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Where our graduates work

  • Intelligence community
  • U.S. Department of State
  • U.S. Department of Defense
  • The World Bank
  • Global non-governmental organizations
  • Non-profit organizations
  • The Brookings Institution
  • The Center for Strategic and International Studies
  • The Cohen Group
  • Deloitte
  • Ntrepid Corporation

Graduate studies

Graduates have studied international relations and public policy at universities such as:

  • Syracuse
  • Georgetown
  • George Washington
  • American
  • University of California San Diego
  • London School of Economics

Graduates have attended law school at universities such as:

  • WVU
  • American University
  • George Washington University
  • University of Pittsburgh

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the International Studies major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does International Studies at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the International Studies, BA is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Request Info

Want to know more about International Studies at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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