UB Programs At-A-Glance

International Studies

Office of Interdisciplinary Degree Programs

203 Clemens Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4670

Phone: 716.645.2245
Fax: 716.645.3640
Web: cas.buffalo.edu/programs/idp/ugrad/

Lee Dryden
Director

About the Program

The International Studies concentration of the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary major combines the study of international politics, history, and culture with advanced study in a foreign language. Study abroad is encouraged. For more information please see the Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Degree Programs.

About Our Degrees

Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum grade of “C” in PSC 102 and UGC 112.
Students must successfully complete the first year of one of the languages listed under Degree Requirements.

Acceptance Information
Deadlines: Rolling
Number of Accepted Majors (2004-2005): 23
Number of majors currently enrolled: 41

Degree Requirements
Please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

Each of the Interdisciplinary Degree Programs' concentrations offers a curriculum that allows students to combine coursework from three or more departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. There are also options to incorporate courses from other areas of the university, thereby allowing students to obtain a broad range of skills and education.

The typical class size for:

Freshman/introductory courses is: 25-200
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 40-50
Upper level/advanced courses is: 35-40

In the IDP, what do teaching assistants (TA's) do?

Many courses in the social sciences interdisciplinary program's curricula originate in other departments, where teaching assistants may be assigned instructional or grading duties.

Suggested Introductory Courses

  • An introductory foreign language course consistent with a focus area in the major

  • ECO 181 Introduction to Microeconomics
  • GEO 103 Geography of Economic System
  • PSC 102 Introduction to International Politics
  • PSC 103 Politics Abroad
  • UGC 112 World Civilizations II



For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

The IDP faculty, though limited in number, not only teach courses applicable to the program's degree tracks, but are also involved in the advisement of IDP majors, a function that is vitally important for students selecting courses from a number of different departments.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

The Interdisciplinary Degree Programs (IDP) offer an opportunity to focus studies on a particular topic whose breadth and diversity overlap several departments in the faculty.

Students in the International Studies concentration are encouraged to do study abroad for at least one semester.

Extracurricular Activities

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

Majors that Complement International Studies


Minors that Complement International Studies

Career Information and Further Study

While the IDP degree tracks were not developed primarily to train students for specific careers, they are intended to provide an academic background relevant to a wide range of occupations and fields of graduate study.

Alumni have found employment as:

  • Assistant to the Executive Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee
  • Second lieutenant, TC-U.S. Army
  • International customer relations specialist at Invitrogen Corp.
  • Interpreter/translator at Berlitz World Languages Institute
  • Broker at Waterhouse Securities
  • Legislative assistant at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
  • English language instructor for the Japanese government
  • International analyst for the U.S. Department of Commence



Post-undergraduate Opportunities

  • Teaching English as a Second Language at the University at Buffalo
  • International Development Management at the University of Bradford, UK
  • International Political Economy at Fordham University
  • Humanities/Caribbean Studies at the University at Buffalo
  • Communication at University of Illinois
  • International Affairs at George Washington University
  • Law school at the University at Buffalo
  • Foreign Service at Georgetown University



What percentage of graduates goes on the graduate school?

  • 50-60%



What percentage of graduates goes on to find related employment?

  • 25-30%

Links to Further Information About This Program

Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:10 EST