International Studies, B.A.
Explore the history, cultures, politics, and economies of the world. Study abroad and develop fluency in one of eight languages.
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
The Croft Institute for International Studies is home to the major in international studies— an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the intensive study of the languages, cultures, and economies of the world. With small classes, dedicated professors, and a strong community, Croft prepares students to become global citizens—aware of the world and engaged in an international community.
Croft offers a curriculum that includes surveys of East Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, at the lower-division level, and specialized topics classes at the upper-division level. Students choose both a thematic and a regional concentration. Croft is responsive to global trends and the diverse interests of students, offering innovative courses on the issues that will shape the 21st century. Students develop both qualitative and quantitative analysis skills and learn how to conduct innovative, original research.
To major in International Studies at the University of Mississippi, students must apply and be formally admitted to the Croft Institute by completing the UM Special Programs and Scholarships Application.
After acceptance to UM, students must complete a separate application and be formally accepted into the Croft Institute for International Studies.
Foreign Language
International Studies majors learn one foreign language offered through Croft and take courses in that language every semester. The Croft Institute for International Studies relies on the Department of Modern Languages to ensure that its students receive high-quality, oral proficiency-oriented language instruction. Students choosing Arabic or Chinese are encouraged to apply for the Flagship program.
When you graduate, you can live, study, and do business in your chosen language.
Study Abroad
Students are required to study abroad, for either a semester or a whole year, in a country whose language they have been studying at Croft. Students enroll in both language courses and topics courses on their region and theme. Many students have the opportunity to enroll in courses with students from their host communities. The semester or year spent abroad is the experience of a lifetime, a time of intense personal and intellectual growth.
Senior Thesis
All international studies majors write a senior thesis in their final two semesters. They work closely with a faculty mentor to plan and carry out a substantial research project.
On this Page…
Program Information
Degree
B.A. in International Studies
Required Credit Hours
120
Program Type
Major
Minor
Program Location
School
Duration
4 years
Degree Requirements
Find out about credit hour and course requirements from the 2025-26 academic catalog.
Students in the College of Liberal Arts earning the B.A. degree have a common set of 48-50 hours of general education. The specific courses taken to complete the categories of general education may differ between majors.
Categories of General Education:
- First Year Writing I, II
- English Literature Survey
- Modern or Ancient Language
- History
- Additional Humanities
- Fine or Performing Arts Appreciation
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences
To see the details for these general education requirements, visit the UM online catalog or the degree sheet attached at the top of this webpage.
Students in the B.A. in International Studies complete 16 courses from one regional and two thematic concentrations of their choice.
Regional concentrations and related foreign languages:
- East Asia—Chinese, Japanese or Korean
- Europe—French, German, Russian, or Spanish
- Latin America—Spanish
- Middle East and North Africa—Arabic
Thematic concentrations:
- Global Economics and Business
- Global Health
- International Governance and Politics
- Social and Cultural Identity
- Inst 101. Intro to International Studies
- Inst 200. Thinking Globally
- Two introductory regional courses (one in regional concentration area)
- Inst 201: African Studies
- Inst 203: East Asian Studies
- Inst 205: European Studies
- Inst 207: Latin American Studies
- Inst 209: Middle Eastern Studies
- Two study abroad preparation and debriefing courses
- Inst 110: Intercultural Communication – Pre-departure
- Inst 111: Intercultural Communication – Re-entry
- Two regional concentration courses at the 300-level or higher
- Two thematic concentration courses at the 300-level or higher
- Inst 381: Research Methods for INST Majors
- Three elective courses at the 300-level or higher selected
- Two courses for the Senior Thesis
- Inst 421: Research Seminar I
- Inst 422: Research Seminar II
- Inst 431: Oral Proficiency Interview (0 hours)
A minor in international studies consists of 6 courses (18 credit hours). A minimum grade of C is required in all course work to be counted toward the international studies minor.
- Inst 101: Intro to International Studies or Pol 102: Introduction to Comparative Politics
- 5 courses (15 credit hours) of 300-level or higher coursework selected from Inst-designated courses
- One course (3 credit hours) of 300-level course work in a modern language with a minimum grade of C.
What is International Studies?
Hear from our faculty and students about the International Studies program at Ole Miss.
Careers and Alumni
- Assistant Director of Admissions at Tulane University School of Architecture
- Legal Clerk for the Federal Court System in Oxford, MS
- Global Media Relations Specialist for FedEx
- Project Engineer Associate at Lockheed Martin
- Resident of General Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine
- Emergency Management Specialist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Assistant Professor at the Copenhagen Business School
- Senior Program Associate, Afghanistan and Asia for Internews Network
- Program Coordinator for Working Landscapes
- Associate Director of Berkeley Research Group LLC
- Research Manager at DeltaMV in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Producer at Fox Business Network
- Deputy Country Representative for USAID: United States Agency for International Development in Bogota, Columbia
- Interim Chief Executive Officer for Dekel Holdings in Panama City, Panama
Why Choose a B.A. in International Studies at Croft?
“Croft has afforded me the opportunity to learn about the diverse world that we live in through study abroad programs, lecture series, and top caliber instruction. My company competes in an international market with global competitors. The lessons I learned at the Croft Institute prepared me for my corporate career. Not only did I gain invaluable knowledge in international studies, but I formed long lasting friendships. The opportunities to expand your knowledge and cultural experience are endless at the Croft Institute.”
Sederia Gray
Global Media Relations for FedEx in Washington, D.C.
Next Steps
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