International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in Latin American studies

The international studies program offers a varied interdisciplinary humanities curriculum, global in scope and designed to increase students’ knowledge about the cultures and traditions, languages, literature and media, history, values, concerns, and aspirations of peoples in different countries and regions of the world. The goal of the program is ultimately also to both broaden students’ comparative intercultural perspectives and develop their cross-cultural communication abilities. Within each chosen concentration, the interdisciplinary range of offerings allows for flexibility in configuring each individual’s course of study, which can be organized in a manner that best suits a student’s particular needs.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know how to do the following:

International studies core learning outcomes

• Critically analyze culturally specific as well as global issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives
• Demonstrate knowledge of universals and differences in worldviews and ethical systems (values) across a range of cultures
• Demonstrate cross-cultural communication skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively in international and/or multicultural settings, and engage with cultural difference in an informed and compassionate fashion
• Demonstrate intermediate college-level proficiency in a second language in each of the four modalities: speaking, listening, reading and writing

Latin American studies concentration-specific learning outcome:

• Demonstrate historical, political, literary and cultural competency in the region

Experiential learning and study abroad

Each student completing a degree program within the School of World Studies is required to complete a World ePass as part of their experiential learning requirement; students are also encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. For more information on the ePass portfolio and study abroad opportunities, students may visit the overview page for the School of World Studies.

Special requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, students must complete 120 course credits, at least 30 of which must be in the major, with a minimum GPA of 2.25. Students must take at least 21 credits total of upper-level (300- or 400-level) courses within the major, with a minimum of nine credits at the upper level earned at VCU (not through transfer credit). The focus of a degree in international studies is interdisciplinary and should reflect a well-rounded mix of courses completed in a variety of disciplines (e.g. ANTH, HIST, POLI, SOCY, WRLD and foreign language).

International studies majors are encouraged to complete the course requirements for a minor that will broaden their international studies perspectives. Minor options are varied and may be chosen from a broad range of subject areas. Students also may want to consider a second major. Advisers will work with students to explore the benefits of a double major and a minor.

Students are encouraged to fulfill an experiential learning requirement through an approved internship, service-learning course or study-abroad program. International studies majors must fulfill the college general education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree.

To major in international studies, students must take course work that fulfills the requirements for the concentration chosen.

Degree requirements for International Studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in Latin American studies

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Concentration courses

The concentration in Latin American studies requires a total of 12 credits of interdisciplinary course work. Courses marked “when appropriate” require preapproval from the School of World Studies advising office. 

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Recommended course sequence/plan of study 

Freshman year
Fall semester		Hours
INTL 101	Human Societies and Globalization (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives)	3
UNIV 101	Introduction to the University (recommended) 1	1
UNIV 111 Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication	Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
Foreign language 101 (PORT, SPAN)		3
General education course		3
General education course (select quantitative foundations)		3-4
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
HIST 109 or HIST 110 or HIST 373 or HIST 374 or HIST 376 or HIST 377	Survey of Latin American History (any will satisfy a concentration requirement) or Survey of Latin American History or Andean History to 1800 or Andean History Since 1800 or Caribbean History to 1838 or Caribbean History Since 1838	3
UNIV 200	Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
Foreign language 102 (PORT, SPAN)		3
Open electives		6
	Term Hours:	15
Sophomore year
Fall semester
WRLD 210	International Social Justice Studies	3
Foreign language 201 (PORT, SPAN)		3
General education courses		6
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
HUMS 204	AI Literacy	3
INTL 215	International Studies in the Professional World	3
WRLD 302	Communicating Across Cultures	3
Foreign language 202 (PORT, SPAN)		3
General education course		3
	Term Hours:	15
Junior year
Fall semester
INTL 375	Interdisciplinary Methods for International Studies Research	3
Concentration course		3
General education courses (select BOKs to complete breadth of knowledge requirements)		6
Open electives		3
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
On-campus or study abroad semester:
Concentration course		3
Open electives		12
	Term Hours:	15
Summer semester
Study abroad (recommended); credits completed during study abroad will decrease open electives needed in subsequent semesters:
In consultation with an academic adviser, 0-6 credits in INTL, foreign language relevant to concentration or degree electives		0-6
	Term Hours:	0
Senior year
Fall semester
INTL 465	Rethinking Globalization	3
Concentration course		3
Experiential learning requirement (recommended) 1		0-3
Open electives		9
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
INTL 490	Senior Capstone in International Studies	3
Open electives		12
	Term Hours:	15
	Total Hours:	120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Accelerated B.A. and M.P.H.

The accelerated B.A. and M.P.H. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.A. in International Studies, concentration in European studies; general studies; international social justice studies; Latin American studies; or world cinema and the Master of Public Health, concentration in applied public health; cancer prevention and control science; epidemiology; health communication; or health policy in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of the undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.A. and M.P.H. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 153 credits rather than the 165 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will be well-prepared for careers in public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, policy institutes and community health initiatives where cultural fluency, global perspective and analytical reasoning are essential. The program combines a strong foundation in international studies, drawing on its globally engaged, holistic approach to human society, with advanced knowledge of public health practice and research. This interdisciplinary training prepares graduates to address complex health challenges that require not only scientific and policy expertise but also careful consideration of a range of contextual factors and a willingness to engage with diverse cultural perspectives and value systems. 

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Space may be limited and academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to the accelerated program include completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours including INTL 375; an overall GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.0 in international studies course work.

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students in the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate international studies adviser and the M.P.H. education administrator.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables students to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into the accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. The graduate credits count as 12 credits of elective coursework for the undergraduate degree. The courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate public health courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

The recommended plan of study is general to all concentrations in the B.A. in International Studies and the Master of Public Health with a concentration in applied public health. Students in any B.A. in International Studies concentration may enter the accelerated program into any M.P.H. concentration and will work with the M.P.H. education administrator on the plan of study, once admitted into the graduate program.