What can I do with this major?
What you do very much depends on what you are interested in. Graduates have pursued many various career and educational paths after completing their International Studies major.

How do I keep track of my International Studies major or minor?
Because of the complicated and individualized nature of the International Studies Program,  your degree progress report is not the best place to keep track of your progress in the International Studies major or minor.

The INTL advisor will work with you to create a planning sheet of your individualized program. This also serves as a record of your progress toward the completion of  the major or minor and will be used as a tool for eventual graduation certification. It is important for every INTL student to see the advisor to start a planning sheet and meet regularly to update it.

How do I make an appointment to see the advisor? Are there walk-in advising hours?
You are always welcome to drop in and see if the International Studies advisor is available. We recommend making an appointment to guarantee the advisor has time to devote her undivided attention to your situation. Click here to make an  appointment with the academic adviser.

How do I calculate my International Studies GPA?
Knowing your major GPA is useful when applying for scholarships, internships and for the INTL honors track.  Unfortunately, because International Studies is individualized your Degree Progress report can't tell you your major GPA until each course is programmed in by the Recorder.

In the meantime, to calculate your GPA, make a list of the classes you've taken to satisfy INTL requirements (for majors this would include Core, Thematic, Regional, the two foreign language classes beyond what the College of Arts and Sciences requires, and the Senior Capstone), the credit hours of each and your grade in each. Then go to  the IU GPA Calculator. Input this information and program will give you the GPA. This tool is also useful (and was designed) for estimating your semester GPA.

Does International Studies offer any awards or scholarships?
International Studies (INTL) does not offer any scholarships at this time, but some are in the works. See Funding for possible options for INTL students.

As for awards, INTL offers an honors designation for exceptional graduates. See Honors for requirements and procedures.

How do I get taken off the INTL mailing list?
The staff of International Studies (INTL) frequently sends e-mail messages about courses, scholarships, part-time jobs,  internships, career fairs, conferences, graduation, internationally-themed events on campus and in the community, and other announcements relevant to students' lives.  If you consider these messages "junk mail" or spam, you can opt out of the regular mailing list and onto the "INTL minimal e-mail list," which is only used to send messages that are absolutely imperative for your success at IU. Messages about graduation and OneStart functionality, for example, would still be sent. Contact intl@indiana.edu to be moved to this list.

How do I get on the INTL mailing list?
We try to include all the International Studies students on our e-mail list, but if we've missed you, contact intl@indiana.edu to be added.  Prospective students are welcome to join the list.

Do I have to study abroad?
Study Abroad is the most popular way for INTL students to fulfill the international component of their major requirement. Other students fulfill this requirement through an overseas internship. In a few very rare cases, International Studies allows a domestic internship with a intensive international component to serve as the international experience. An example of this might be working in an embassy or consulate. See Internships for more information.

When and for how long should I study abroad?
While some students choose to fulfill the international requirement with a summer program, most INTL students choose a semester program or academic year program during their junior year. We encourage you to consider the academic year programs  if your academic plan allows this option.

Overseas Study limits semester and academic year programs to juniors and seniors. Summer study abroad is open to sophomores and in some cases freshman.

Senior year study abroad is possible and in some cases the only option for students with particularly packed schedules, but ideally students should go junior year so that they can draw on their international experience while in the senior seminar (I400 Capstone). Pursuit of INTL honors can also be complicated by senior study abroad because of course sequencing. See the INTL advisor.

How and when do I apply to graduate?
You can apply online at http://www.indiana.edu/~college/recorder/appinfo.shtml. You should apply done no later than June 1 for May graduation, no later than December 1 for August graduation, and no later than March 1 for December graduation. Failure to file by these deadlines may delay your graduation. If you miss a deadline, apply as soon as possible.

If you are studying abroad the last semester of your senior year, you may want to apply for August graduation because  it can take several weeks or, in some cases, months for classes to transfer from abroad.  Talk to staff at  Overseas Study (overseas@indiana.edu)  about the expected transfer time for your particular destination.

DO NOT apply for May graduation if you know you are graduating in August. You can still "walk" in the May ceremony if you graduate in August.

How do I graduate with honors in International Studies?
 See Honors for requirements and procedures.

How do I prepare for graduate school? How, when and where do I apply?
The director of International Studies offers some advice to students in their exploration of this option. See Graduate School for his statement and other information that might be of assistance. The Career Development Center is also a good source of information.

How do I prepare for law school? How, when and where do I apply?
Advisors at the Health Professions and Prelaw Center (HPPC) can help students who want to explore the possibility of  law school. The Prelaw Center hosts LSAT workshops twice a year and a Law Day (with a law school fair and panel discussion) every fall.
 

Relevant Frequently Asked Questions Sites

College of Arts and Sciences
Answers questions about the policies and procedures of the College. These include graduation application, probation, dismissal, dropping a major or a minor, etc.

Office of Overseas Study
Answers questions about the policies and procedures of Overseas Study.

The Registrar
Answers questions about registration and student records.