International Studies, BA, Four-Year Plan

Four-Year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

Sample Plan for New Students

The sample shows a typical plan to complete the degree based on current degree requirements and course offerings, and is not the only possible plan. The number of credits for each course is in parentheses. Some classes have prerequisites, and the order of courses in the sample plan accounts for these. Each new student, in consultation with their advisor, will complete a personal academic plan tailored to their specific goals and interests. 

For more information about 魔都资源网's transition to the semester calendar, visit SU Moves to Semesters.

Important Major Information

  • Minimum Credits to Graduate: 120 semester credits or 180 quarter credits
  • Credits in Major: 42 semester credits or 70 quarter credits
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.0 
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 

Semester-Based Degree Plan

Four-Year Plan For New Students

Year 1

Course Fall Spring
Course 1

College Language Requirement  

College Language Requirement  

Course 2

UCOR 1000 (3) 

UCOR Stage 1 (3) 

Course 3

UCOR Stage 1 (3) 

UCOR Stage 1 (3) 

Course 4

HIST 1210 (3) 

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

Course 5

INST 2000 (3) 

INST 2300 (3) 

Year 1 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor
  • Create plan in Student Planning
  • Get Involved

 

Year 2

Course Fall Spring
Course 1

Language 3  

Language 4  

Course 2

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

Course 3

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

Course 4

INST 2600 (3) 

UCOR Stage 2 (3) 

Course 5

HIST 2010 (3) 

ECON course (3) (select from 4 options) 

Year 2 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
  • Plan for Study Abroad
  • Meet with Career Engagement Office

 

Year 3

Course Fall Spring
Course 1

Experiential Learning: At least two credits must be from Study Abroad or INST 4950 Internship. Study Abroad can be short term or long term, and include language, INST electives or UCOR courses. 

UCOR Stage 3 (3) 

Course 2

INST 3800 (3) 

Course 3

INST Elective (3) (choose from concentration) 

Course 4

General Elective (3) 

Course 5

General Elective (3) 

Year 3 Steps for Success

  • Find Internship or Research Opportunities
  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Review Educational Plan 

 

Year 4

Course Fall Spring
Course 1

UCOR Stage 3 (3) 

INST Elective (3) (choose from concentration) 

Course 2

UCOR Stage 3 (3) 

INST 4903 or General Elective (3) 

Course 3

INST 4900 or 4901 (3) 

General Elective (3) 

Course 4

INST Elective (3) (choose from concentration) 

General Elective (3) 

Course 5

General Elective (3) 

General Elective (3) 

Year 4 Steps for Success

  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Apply for Graduation
  • Continue Post Graduation Planning

University Core Requirements

Prospective students can preview the semester-based University Core by reviewing the University Core Stages Visual Plan (PDF) or explore the current University Core curriculum at seattleu.edu/core

Curriculum Notes

Curriculum Notes specific to this sample degree plan will be updated throughout 2026. 

Plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements. 

Visit the page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.

Resources for Success

Soar during your time here:

Excel in every class:

Source the best research:

  • Connect with your librarians for
  • Search the expansive network of .

Graduate on time:

Build your future career:

Expand your horizons:

  • Apply for .
  • Create something at the .

Quarter-Based Degree Plan

Four-Year Plan For New Students

Year 1

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 Language 1150 (5) Language 1250 (5) Language 1350 (5)
Course 2 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) INST 2000 – Global Cultural Citizenship (5) HIST 1210 – Studies in Modern Civilization (5)
Course 3 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5)

Year 1 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor
  • Create plan in Student Planning
  • Get Involved

 

Year 2

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 HIST 2010 – Workshop in World History (5) INST 2300 – Intro to Comp. Politics 
(5)
INST 2100 – World Geography (5)
Course 2 Language 2150 (5) Language 2250 (5) Language 235 (5)
Course 3 UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 1XXX – University Core (5) INST 2600 – Intro to Int’l Politics (5)

Year 2 Steps for Success

  • Meet with your Academic Advisor(s)
  • Plan for Study Abroad
  • Meet with Career Engagement Office

 

Year 3

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 Experiential Learning: At least three credits must be from Study Abroad or INST 4950 Internship. Study Abroad can be short term or long term, and include language, INST electives or UCOR courses. Economics course (see catalog for options) (5) INST 3800 – Research in Int’l Studies (5)
Course 2 UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5)
Course 3 UCOR 2XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5)

Year 3 Steps for Success

  • Find Internship or Research Opportunities
  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Review Educational Plan 

 

Year 4

Course Fall Winter Spring
Course 1 General Elective (5) INST 4900 – Senior Capstone (5) General Elective (5)
Course 2 UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) UCOR 3XXX – University Core (5) General Elective (5)
Course 3 General Elective (5) General Elective (5) General Elective (5)

Year 4 Steps for Success

  • Meet with Faculty Advisor
  • Apply for Graduation
  • Continue Post Graduation Planning

University Core Requirements

UCOR classes are listed in the sample plan as Module I, II, and III. See below for UCOR course titles listed by Module. See for prerequisites and for course descriptions. Honors and Matteo Ricci students have different Core requirements. 

Module I:

  • UCOR 1100 Academic Writing Seminar
  • UCOR 1200 Quantitative Thinking
  • UCOR 1300 Creative Expression & Interpretation
  • UCOR 1400 Inquiry Seminar in the Humanities
  • UCOR 1600 Inquiry Seminar in the Social Sciences
  • UCOR 1800 Inquiry Seminar in the Natural Sciences

Module II:

  • UCOR 2100 Theological Explorations
  • UCOR 2500 Philosophy of the Human Person
  • UCOR 2900 Ethical Reasoning

Module III:

  • UCOR 3100 Religion in a Global Context
  • UCOR 3400 Humanities and Global Challenges
  • UCOR 3800 Natural Sciences and Global Challenges  

Curriculum Notes

  • The has more information on INST concentrations, elective courses, study abroad, internships, departmental honors, etc.
  • INST Electives: Choose a total of 15 credits of approved electives as found in the Course Catalog and listed on the , in consultation with your academic advisor. At least 5 of these 15 elective credits must have a Non-Western Humanities designation (NWH). At least ten elective credits must be 3000-4000 level.
  • INST 4950 – Internship counts as elective in any of the four concentrations.
  • Students who place out of a second year of language (2000-level) must take 30 credits of INST major electives instead of 15 credits
  • For complete information on courses, prerequisites, etc., please consult the Explore & Compare Programs page.

Use My魔都资源网U Student Planning to plan your courses and work closely with your academic advisor on your educational plan. You are responsible for tracking changes and ensuring you meet all degree requirements.

Visit the page for support or reach out to the Advising Center. Email CAS Advising at ASCAdvising@seattleu.edu.

Resources for Success

Soar during your time here:

Excel in every class:

Source the best research:

  • Connect with your librarians for
  • Search the expansive network of .

Graduate on time:

Build your future career:

Here to Help

Arts and Sciences Advising Center