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Global Studies ,BA

Global Studies, BA

Conflict, Development, Diplomat, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Foreign Service, Global, Human Rights, Immigration, International, Nongovernmental Organizations, Policy, Refugees, Security, Study Abroad

Study how cultures, economics, institutions and social issues shape our increasingly globalized world. Through a global experience or an internationally focused internship, you'll put your learning to work as you help to address current challenges.

Program description

In the Bachelor of Arts program in global studies, you examine the causes and consequences of problems that cross national boundaries, and the governance of these problems in social, cultural and economic contexts.

The program's award-winning and internationally recognized faculty have extensive global experience from a wide variety of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. Courses use case studies, research and public policy activities to address current problems and their solutions in various fields, including:

  • economic and social development
  • ethnoreligious identities, rights and conflicts
  • global cities and urbanization
  • global governance of health and climate change
  • justice and human rights
  • world cultures

In addition to reviewing the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, if you're interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, you can visit The College's website for more information and requirements.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: Yes
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
  • First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
  • Math intensity: Generalprogram math intensity general

Video: Learn about the Global Studies degree program at ASUThis video provides an overview of the Global Studies degree program at ASU.

Curriculum

What If: See how your courses can be applied to another major and find out how to change your major.

Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Leah Legg
480-965-8563
spgs@asu.edu
General contact
480-965-8563
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Leah Legg
480-965-8563
spgs@asu.edu
General contact
480-965-8563
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Katie Reese
480-965-8563
spgs@asu.edu
Graduate advisor
Leah Legg
480-965-8563
spgs@asu.edu
General contact
480-965-8563
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Katie Reese
480-965-8563
ksherer@asu.edu
Graduate advisor
Jenna Roelle
480-965-1477
jroelle@asu.edu
General contact
480-965-8563
Learn more about this program
Graduate advisor
Bridget Perez
480-965-8563
spgs@asu.edu
General contact
480-965-8563

Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

ASU Local

It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local, an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

  • Analyze key contemporary global issues.
  • Compare cultural perspectives of governance and/or global issues.
  • Effectively communicate, in writing, insights from their global experience or internship.
Global opportunities
Global experience

Global Experiences not only satisfy degree requirements within the global studies major but also help students develop a portfolio of distinct experiences, with research and internship opportunities available in an international setting. Students have the chance to challenge themselves to adapt and persevere under potentially unfamiliar social and cultural circumstances. When studying abroad, students encounter many opportunities to improve their language skills and cultural competence, helping them to effectively communicate across populations.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends specific global experience programs for students majoring in global studies.

Career opportunities

Graduates have skills useful for success in political or government careers, law school, graduate study, business or the nonprofit sector. Many program graduates have found positions in:

  • the courts and judicial administration
  • foreign service organizations
  • international organizations
  • legislative staff organizations
  • lobbying and advocacy groups
  • local and national media organizations
  • local, national and global nonprofit organizations
  • multinational corporations
  • national, state, and local government agencies
  • political consulting
  • research institutions

In addition, some graduates have gone on to other top-tier graduate and professional schools. These students have found a variety of employment opportunities in the fields of:

  • communication
  • education
  • foreign service
  • journalism
  • law
  • political science
  • public service

Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.


Career *Growth *Median salary
6.4%
$45,930
-0.7%
$104,620
3.0%
$93,330
4.4%
$61,990
-0.7%
$93,790
-2.2%
$133,660
-3.1%
$142,080
4.5%
$141,900
1.7%
$60,170
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Contact information

Program term definitions

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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