International Studies, B.A.

Saint Louis University's undergraduate degree in international studies is offered through the College of Arts and Science's political science department. The program provides SLU students the opportunity to focus both on world regions and a specific topic or theme, including arts and culture, environment and health, economics and development or war and peace.

Additional highlights of the Bachelor of the Arts in International Studies include:

• A variety of courses to fulfill program requirements, from economics, political science and sociology to art history, public health, and international business.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in a modern language and complete a capstone experience.
• Students also have the opportunity to study abroad and participate in local and international internships.

Curriculum Overview

The international studies major requires 36 credits, and the curriculum includes the following requirements:

Students must demonstrate proficiency in a second language and complete required courses in international politics, international economics and cultural anthropology.

Beyond required courses, students will study world regions (Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America or the Middle East) for nine credits of coursework as well as a thematic focus (arts and culture, environment and health, economics and development or war and peace) for nine credits of coursework.

Students will also complete an internship, field research experience or elective course. Finally, all students must complete a 3-credit capstone seminar.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Although not required, students are encouraged to study abroad. The international studies program includes a field research course that enables students to design and conduct research projects relevant to their program of study.

Students can study abroad at Saint Louis University-Madrid or any of the nearly 40 SLU-affiliated programs on six continents. Students can also gain practical experience in their field through an international internship that complements their major.

Careers

An undergraduate degree in international studies prepares students for a global career and can make students more attractive to employers. Some examples of fields where a degree in international studies can be beneficial include:

• Foreign service and diplomacy
• Private business and consulting in finance, technology, energy, etc.
• NGOs and nonprofits
• International organizations and law
• Public health
• Migration
• Education, academia and research
• Environment and climate change
• National defense and intelligence

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application and the Coalition Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED or HiSET.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2025, 99.6% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $517 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. Graduates will be able to analyze cultural, economic, political and social aspects of contemporary international issues.
2. Graduates will be able to describe how culture and national identity affect a person’s perspectives.
3. Graduates will be able to apply a variety of methodologies to answer empirical questions about international phenomena.
4. Graduates will be able to assess analytical arguments.
5. Graduates will be able to assemble evidence from reliable sources to support their arguments.
6. Graduates will be able to estimate the global or transnational impact of local actions.
7. Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of international phenomena to engage effectively as global citizens.

International studies students must complete a minimum of 36 credits for the major.

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Fluency in a language other than English can substitute for this requirement (as demonstrated via standard language proficiency protocols of the College of Arts and Sciences).  Student's who meet this requirement without taking a class will add one ISTD elective to meet the 36 hour requirement of the major.

World Regions

Courses that fulfill the World Regions requirement carry one or more of the following attributes--International Studies-Africa, International Studies-Asia, International Studies-Europe, International Studies-Latin Am, and International Studies-Mid East. 

Thematic Focus

Additional Academic Requirements

Saint Louis University has graduation requirements for all degree-seeking students. Students are responsible for understanding these Graduation Requirements. 

Academic Standing

Program Academic Standing

Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA in the major. Students who fall below the 2.00 GPA in the major will be placed on program probation. Students who remain on program probation for more than two consecutive semesters will be withdrawn from the major.

University Academic Standing

Saint Louis University has undergraduate and graduate standards regarding a student's Academic Standing. Students are responsible for understanding the Academic Standing policy. 

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

• This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
• Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
• Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Note: SLU-Madrid and SLU-St. Louis program requirements vary slightly by campus.

Saint Louis University's international studies program offers students a cross-disciplinary approach to historical, political and socioeconomic issues in our global society. Addressing topics of contemporary culture and society, the program is designed for students who are keen to grapple with the complex interrelationships of 21st-century international affairs and seek to bring an international dimension to their studies.

Curriculum Overview

The international studies major requires the completion of 36 credit hours, consisting of four required core classes, a three-class regional focus, a three-class thematic focus, an internship or elective class and a capstone seminar. No class can fulfill more than one requirement in the major. 

Key competencies developed through the international studies program are proficiency in a foreign language, facility with key disciplinary approaches, knowledge of world regions and exposure to a thematic area central to the contemporary world. International studies students also have the opportunity to integrate practical work experience and field research into the major.

Due to its interdisciplinary nature, the international studies major allows students considerable choice among a wide variety of courses that fulfill degree requirements. Courses that fulfill the regional and thematic foci can be located by their Banner attributes.

Faculty

The faculty at Saint Louis University-Madrid are experts in their respective fields. They are internationally recognized teachers, researchers and mentors. Learn about our faculty members, including their education, credentials, experience and contact information.

Faculty Research

The SLU-Madrid faculty maintains robust programs of research in a variety of fields. See below for more data.

Find Faculty Research Information

Find Research Resources

Fieldwork, Internships and Careers

SLU's chapter of Sigma Iota Rho, an honor society for international studies, provides students with programs such as faculty research presentations and social service events, as well as other fun, internationally oriented activities.

Qualified students may choose to earn up to three credits toward their degree by doing an internship. These students learn to implement the skills they study while gaining valuable professional experience in international organizations.

Admission

SLU-Madrid Application

Application Deadlines

• April 1 - Fall admission (July 1 for EU students)
• Aug. 1 - Spring admission (Nov. 1 for EU students)
• March  1 - Summer sessions (for applicants who require a student visa)
• April  15 - Summer sessions (for applicants who do not require a student visa)

Contact Us

Office of Admissions
Avenida del Valle, 34
28003 Madrid, Spain
P: (+34) 91 554 58 58
admissions-madrid@slu.edu
Office Hours: Mondays through Fridays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (3 p.m. on Fridays from May 15 - Sept. 1) 

Tuition and Fees

SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at SLU-Madrid are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.

If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu. 

• Tuition and Fees
• Scholarships and Financial Aid

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution. 

International Studies, B.A. (STLCC 2+SLU)

For additional information about this program, please contact pols-admin@slu.edu or call 314-977-3035.