This combined degree program allows International Studies majors to begin graduate work their fourth year at Texas A&M. This opportunity enables students to receive their International Studies undergraduate degree and a Master of International Affairs (MIA) degree in five years. 

This program is especially attractive because all graduates from the Bush School’s Masters Program must have proficiency in a foreign language and are encouraged to spend a semester abroad; International Studies majors will have completed this requirement prior to entering the graduate program.

For information about the 5-year combined degree program, contact the Bush School.

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Students completing a Bachelor of Arts in the Bush School are required to complete 14 hours of a foreign language through the intermediate level. Students in International Affairs are required to complete an additional 6 hours of a foreign language through the advanced level. If you choose to enroll in a language you have studied previously without receiving college credit, you must first take a placement test. See the Foreign Language paragraph.

²

At least 3 hours must be in MATH. Three hours may be PHIL 240.

³

Select two (2) courses from at least two departments. Not all courses will be offered every semester. See academic advisor. Select from COMM 354, COMM 307/JOUR 301, COMM 443; GEOG 401, GEOG 420; ECON 203, ECON 320, ECON 452, ECON 330; GLST 311/ENGL 309; HIST 336, HIST 337, HIST 341-345, HIST 348, HIST 412, HIST 462, HIST 463, HIST 464; INTA 251, INTA 301, INTA 321, INTA 484; POLS 229, POLS 231, POLS 302, POLS 304, POLS 306, POLS 322, POLS 323, POLS 324, POLS 325, POLS 326, POLS 328, POLS 338, POLS 347, POLS 349, POLS 350, POLS 358, POLS 362, POLS 364, POLS 365, POLS 366, POLS 367/WGST 367, POLS 368, POLS 412, POLS 413, POLS 415, POLS 423, POLS 424, POLS 429, POLS 432, POLS 447, POLS 454, POLS 475; SOCI 203, SOCI 206, SOCI 337, SOCI 412, SOCI 413.

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The course will be used to track student's completion of the International Experience Requirement (see paragraph below).

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Select courses from an approved list on the INTS website in consultation with an advisor. Courses numbered 485 or 489 that contain significant international content can be taken in any department to meet part of the track or area requirement. Students must obtain International Studies advisor approval before taking the 485 or 489 course.

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Double counted course. See advisor.

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Course that could double count as BA-INTS International Politics and Diplomacy.

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Course that will only count towards the graduate level program.

Graduation requirements include 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a core category, a college/department requirement, or a free elective can be used to satisfy this requirement. The required 6 hours may be met by courses satisfying other areas of a degree program.  See your academic advisor for further information.

The program includes a total of 168 hours which up to 18 hours may be applied toward both the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and the Master of International Affairs.

Foreign Language

Students entering International Studies take a placement exam to determine the level of and number of required foreign language courses. Exam results may fulfill a maximum of 14 semester credit hours.

• Students placed in 101 will take 101, 102, 201 and 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placed in 102 will take 102, 201 and 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placed in 201 will take 201 and 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placed in 202 will take 202 and 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.
• Students placing out of 101, 102, 201 and 202 will take 6 semester credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.

International Experience Requirements

The International Experience must generate at least 3 hours of Texas A&M University credit. Departmental approval is required before travel. Any international experience that does not meet these criteria will not count toward the degree. International Experience must be completed prior to admission into the 5-year Degree Program.

• Must be at least one long semester or one 10-week summer approved experience.
• Must be taken after completion of 100- and 200-level language requirement and INTA 201.
• Must be completed before student is eligible to enroll in INTA 481, INTA 491 or INTA 497.
• Must be an immersion experience in the foreign culture and language, which can be satisfied by:
  • An internship at a company, government agency or non-profit operation involving significant use of the foreign language. Three hours of INTA 484 elective credit can be given.
  • Courses taken at a foreign university. Courses may count for Texas A&M University credit with approval of the advisor of the relevant department. These courses cannot apply to the International Studies core. One course must be taken in the foreign language at the 300- or 400-level.
  • Selected Texas A&M University Study Abroad programs which involve intensive cultural and language immersion.
  • A combination of the above to equal the requirement of a long semester or a 10-week summer-approved experience.
  • Must be taken outside of the student's country of origin.
  • Must be taken in one foreign country that matches with the foreign language and the area study requirement unless approved by the department head before travel.

Other courses may qualify for the college and university requirements categories. Students should consult the approved list of courses available in the International Studies Degree Program Office. The list incorporates University Core Curriculum requirements. No course can be counted in more than one category, except as allowed in the International and Cultural Diversity and Cultural Discourse graduation requirement.