International Studies Overview

General Information
This international studies program, coupled with second-language fluency in Arabic, French, or Spanish, is designed to prepare you with the ability to communicate effectively or conduct business in a multicultural and global environment in the US and abroad. As a student in this program, you will develop strong writing and speaking skills in more than one language; you will gain the necessary understanding for interacting and negotiating with a diverse workforce in fields such as sales, the airline and tourism industries, health care, counseling, human resources, communication and public relations, and legal advocacy; and you will be prepared to work within a broad range of industries, governmental agencies, multinational corporations, social organizations, and educational institutions.

Specific Information
This degree is offered as a collaborative effort by the Departments of English and Modern Languages, Business, Humanities, Political Science, Sociology, and History. Requirements include core content courses, language courses, and one of four concentrations, not to exceed a total of 72 semester hours, in addition to general education credits.

Career Informaiton
Here are some of the reasons why you might like to include language study as a part of your professional training.

Arabic
Arabic, which is used by approximately 200 million speakers in 24 Middle Eastern, North African, and Sub-Saharan African countries, is the fifth most spoken language in the world and is quickly becoming one of the most important international languages for business and international relations. Although Arabic is also widely spoken in some parts of the United States, there is a recognized shortage of trained speakers of Arabic in North America.

French
French competes with English and Spanish as a leading “international” language and remains an important tool for anyone who plans to go into international business or law. French is spoken not only in France, but also by millions of people in 34 other nations around the world in Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and Africa.

Spanish
Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world – and in the U.S. The ability to speak Spanish is a skill applicable to a wide range of careers, both at the domestic and international levels, including law, business, and international trade.