The International Studies B.A. is an interdisciplinary program where you will gain the contemporary and historical understanding of global cultures, languages, economics, and politics, that allows you to acquire critical skills for successful work in globalized and other culturally diverse settings.
You can tailor the curriculum to suit your needs and interests, alongside foundational and professional formation courses that build knowledge, career skills, and professional contacts. Learn more about our different degree options.
Our International Studies degree prepares you for a wide and flexible range of careers on graduating. Career paths include international development, humanitarian work, diplomacy, business & marketing, communications, legal practice, teaching, health, among many others.
Learn more about your choices in the career paths page, you will find samples of alumni jobs, specific courses that you can take, and specializations that broadly align with possible career paths for International Studies students.
Yes, you will meet with a faculty adviser every quarter to discuss your goals and progress in SeattleU and beyond. Check this relevant information on your future careers:
In addition, as an INST student, you can schedule a one on one appointment with a Career Coach to discuss and form your own career plans, discuss job/internship searches, résumé building, how to prepare an interview, and much more.
INST alumni can access Career Coaching appointments for up to one year after graduation. Check out the Career Engagement Office for more information!
Finally, after graduation, our students can continue to receive these opportunities and network with more than a hundred INST alumni via our LinkedIn Alumni group.
You will have personalized support to select an internship in the Seattle area. You gain professional skills, contacts, and advice to pursue your career goals.
A Seattle U degree in International Studies provides you plenty of chances to put your intellect and your expertise to work outside the classroom and the library. Make a change through community engagement or an internship with a nonprofit organization; take up professional development opportunities to hone your skills; apply for fellowships or conduct research with faculty.
As a key part of our Jesuit education, we think about you as a whole person, not just a student, so we encourage you to explore how to complement your academic focus with activities to suit your needs and interests.
All International Studies majors have the opportunity to Study Abroad for one or more academic terms. You have many countries to choose from, and you will get professional support and guidance from our Education Abroad Office. Explore their website to learn about the different programs and countries, how to apply, schedule an information session, and more. And see our website to learn more about student study abroad experiences.
Yes. SU Faculty-Led, Exchanges, and Sponsored Programs allow full financial aid portability of all SU institutional grants and/or scholarships, state and federal aid and most external scholarships. Often, study abroad locations allow you to save money because many international locations have a lower cost of living than Seattle.
In addition, many of our students have been awarded national scholarships to fund their study abroad. Learn more about their stories on our scholarships page.
Yes. Our students usually graduate with a “double-major” in International Studies and another major in a normal four-year course of study. This allows them to specialize in their discipline of interest, including: Political Science, History, Economics, Public Affairs, Spanish, French, etc. In addition, you can earn a minor degree in subjects like Latin American Studies, Asian Studies, African and African American Studies, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, International Business, Public Affairs, Environmental Studies, etc.
Learn more about our degree options and how to specialize on a particular discipline, language, or region of the world.
A multi-disciplinary program that offers you opportunities to explore one of the oldest cultures and civilizations in the world and its modern presence through language and cultural learning
Explore one of the oldest cultures and civilizations in the world and its modern presence through language and cultural learning.
Examine the importance of the intellectual and cultural history of the global African presence in the general scheme of world affairs.
Acquire an in-depth, interdisciplinary understanding of the culture, economics, environment, history, literature, and politics of Latin America.
Find out more from the Latin American Studies website.
Yes, if you complete any of the three University HONOR tracks, you will have satisfied the equivalent of HIST 1210, one of either INST 2300 or 2600, and 5 credits of INST electives.
If you can demonstrate proficiency in language different than English, you may place out of one or two years of language requirements, and instead, you must take the equivalent number of credits in elective courses (these courses may count towards another major or minor degree of your choice).
For more information on language placement exams contact Sarah Miranda (mirandas@seattleu.edu) from the Modern Language Department.
Yes, see below which credits from High School (Advanced Placement) you can transfer to our program:
No. If you grew up outside United states of America until you were 16 years old, you will be waived from the Study Abroad requirement (instead you can do internships in Seattle). In addition, if you are native in a language other than English, you will be waived from language requirements (instead you can take more elective courses)
Yes. If you are transferring credits from another college or university, and you studied a term abroad, you are not required to study abroad again (but you can if still interested!)
If you’ve been admitted to SU, and have further questions, you can email to Dr. Felipe Murtinho (murtinhf@seattleu.edu), director of the International Studies Program. You can also get more information regarding financial aid, housing, class registration, etc. at the Admitted Students FAQs and at the Admitted students website.
"I learned to respectfully relate with people from other cultures, while adapting to their social norms." Ruth Yohannes '19
Felipe Murtinho, PhD
Director
Casey 310-18
206.296.2088
murtinhf@seattleu.edu
Reine Mages
Administrative Coordinator
Casey 310
206.296.2487
magesr@seattleu.edu
Student Executive Council (SEC) Representative
INST-SEC@seattleu.edu