The International Studies Program offers a flexible and rigorous interdisciplinary undergraduate major and minor in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences that develops keen analytical skills and ethical reasoning amidst complex global dynamics.
Where will the International Studies Program take you?
We can't wait to find out.
- Read a welcome letter from our director, Erik Owens
- Keep in touch by subscribing to our weekly newsletter and following us on Instagram. You can also read past issues of our newsletter.
- Review the list of approved Fall 2024 courses, or a complete list of all approved courses offered in any semester.
- Class of 2027: The IS major application deadline (Feb. 1) has passed but we will accept late applicaitons on a rolling basis. See the Admission page for details.
- Meet our Peer Advisors, who help majors and minors understand grad requirements, course registration, study abroad, and more.
- Locate forms for course substitutions, withdrawals, or pre-approvals; internships, etc. on the Academic Forms page.
- Learn about the pathway through the major and minor, including admission, selecting courses, preparing for study abroad, writing a senior thesis, and thinking about post-grad opportunities. We have posted presentations, webinars (which inlude student testimonials), and a program flyer.
- Read reflections from students and alumni about their experience in the IS Program.
- Registration for Fall 2024 begins April 7. All IS majors must meet with their academic advisor before registering for next semester's courses.
- Please consult the IS Advising Handbook for detailed requirements for the IS major and minor.
- Please consult the Courses page and the list of Approved Fall 2024 IS courses spreadsheet as you plan your Fall schedule.
- A central list of *all* approved electives -- which does not indicate the semester offered, but gives students a sense of course options for the future -- is also available.
- Registration dates:
- Academic advising period begins: March 13
- Students with early registration accommodations: TBA
- Juniors (class of 2025): Mon. April 8, 2024
- Sophomores (class of 2026): Tue. April 9, 2024
- Freshmen (class of 2027): Thur. April 11, 2024
- All courses taken abroad for IS credit must be pre-approved, using this form.
Please visit our Admission page for complete information about applying to the major or declaring a minor. Here are a few important details:
- BC students who wish to become IS majors should submit an application by 5pm on February 1 of their freshman year.
- Transfer students who will start their sophomore year at BC should complete the same application as freshmen at BC. Each year we reserve a handful of spots for transfer students, and when space allows, we admit addiitonal transfer students who are incoming sophomores.
- Late applications are welcome from BC students and transfer students, and they are accepted at the discretion of the director and associate director, when space allows. Please submit your application here and let us know (via isp@bc.edu) that you've filed an application. Please note that it is rare for new majors to be accepted after the first week of their sophomore year.
- The IS Program would benefit greatly from a gift of your time (to give advice, share job listings, mentor students, or write about your experiences) or your financial support (to enhance programs and opportunities for studens and faculty)!
- See the Giving page for more details.
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Learn from and about your fellow IS majors and minors in our Student Voices section, featuring more than 65 essays about life in the IS Program.
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Thinking about your career after BC? Check out the Alumni Career Conversations playlist on the IS Program's YouTube channel. It features more than 20 informal sessions with IS alumni currently working in law, diplomacy, consultuing, technology, finance, humanitarian service, NGOs, and more.
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The Global Conversation project hosts dozens of new conversations each year. Sign up to join an upcoming conversation or email us to join the leadership team. Follow us on Instagram (@bcglobalconversations) for updates.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to keep up with all our activities during the academic year. Each week includes program news, campus events, career and fellowship information, student and faculty spotlights, a postcard from students around the world, and more.