What is International and Global Studies?
International and Global Studies explores our interconnected world through different approaches and disciplinary lenses. Through IGS, we learn about the things that connect people worldwide and our many differences. We think about how this is part of a broader set of political and economic relationships that affect just about everyone and everything, from art and culture to health care and business. We build skills that help us to navigate our globalized world, both in the job market and more generally.
Why Study International and Global Studies?
International and Global Studies Certificate Winter 2025 Scholarship
Answer all of the following questions in their entirety by Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. in order to be eligible for a $500 scholarship for participating in the International and Global Studies program.
We live in an increasingly globalized world, where knowledge of international networks and issues is essential. It is also highly valued in the job market. Whatever your field and wherever your career takes you, you will be challenged by international and global problems. You need to be positioned to take advantage of the opportunities our globalized world has to offer. This is true whether you intend to travel internationally or not.
Our IGS program is designed to help you develop the tools needed to understand and navigate international and global issues and to learn how to describe your skills to potential employers. This will help you demonstrate that you are prepared for the modern job market.
Oh, and another thing: IGS is fun! They involve “book smarts,” for sure, but they also entail finding opportunities to try new foods, visit new places and meet new people. The possibilities are endless, whether taking in an art exhibit at a local museum, participating in an internship at an international company or traveling abroad.
Questions? Email Daniel Birchok at [email protected]
How to Study International and Global Studies?
The best way to study IGS is to enroll in the IGS Certificate. The certificate is designed to be easy to complete. Many of its courses also count towards general education requirements, and it is only 12 total credits.
You can get started with the IGS certificate by taking one of the following courses, all offered in the winter 2025 semester. We are offering a special scholarship to select students who take one of these courses in winter 2025, so don’t waste any time! Speak to your advisor and enroll in one of these classes as soon as possible. Then, fill out the application for our winter 2025 IGS Certificate Scholarship.
Certificate in International and Global Studies Curriculum
You can read the official course catalog description of the certificate here. There are four parts to the certificate, which you can take in any order.
Part 1: Take INT 110: Exploring Global Studies
This course introduces you to International and Global Studies. Note that you do not need to take it before the other courses in the program. Contact Daniel Birchok at [email protected] to find out when in the coming year INT 110 is being taught.
Part 2: Take Six Credits of Coursework, Choosing any Combination of the Following Courses
- ANT/INT 100: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- HCR 362: Cultural Competence in Health Care
- HIS/INT 113: World History: 1400 to 1900
- INB 385: International Business
- NUR 369: Transcultural Healthcare
- POL/INT 230: International Relations
- URP/INT 115: World Geography
- Any foreign language at the 112 level
Note that several of these courses also count towards your general education requirements.
Part 3: Take an Elective Approved by the IGS Director
This can be another course that has a focus that is internationally and globally themed; however, many students fulfill this requirement through a relevant internship, taking a short-term study abroad course, or doing some other sort of local or international experience that is international or global in nature.
Part 4: Complete Your Signature Assignment
This is a short assignment that you complete with the oversight of the IGS director. It is usually a brief reflection paper discussing what you have learned through completing the IGS certificate. It is designed to help you articulate to employers and others what knowledge and skills you have learned through the certificate and why they matter!
If you have any questions, ontact Daniel Birchok, director of IGS, at [email protected].
International and Global Studies Scholarships
In winter 2025, the IGS program will offer scholarships to select students to enroll in the certificate program.
To be eligible, students must do three things:
- Enroll in the certificate program. To do so, follow the instructions for declaring an IGS certificate.
- Enroll in one of the winter 2025 IGS courses. See the list below.
- Fill out the brief IGS certificate scholarship application.
Note that applying for the scholarship does not guarantee an award. Selected students will be notified by Dec. 15, 2024.
Students who receive the scholarship will be awarded $250 in the winter 2025 term. If they enroll in INT 110: Exploring Global Studies, they will receive a second $250 in fall 2025. Fall 2025 scholarships will be awarded after the fall 2025 10-day count.
International and Global Studies FAQs
Do employers value International and Global Studies?
Yes! Eighty-four percent of employers surveyed for a 2021 American Association of Colleges and Universities study reported being more likely to hire someone with a “global learning experience.”
Does studying International and Global Studies require one to go abroad?
No. While we certainly encourage students to study abroad, we recognize that, due to various factors, not everyone can do so. Further, globalizing processes are happening all the time in our backyard. Thus, many ways to study IGS do not involve studying abroad.
What if I do want to study abroad?
Great! Contact Kristen Canavan, education abroad coordinator at the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected], . She can help you determine which study abroad opportunities, either short-term or long-term, are suitable for you. Then, if you intend to pursue an IGS certificate or minor, contact Daniel Birchok at [email protected]to discuss how to incorporate this experience into your IGS program.
How do I learn more about the International and Global Studies programs at UM-Flint?
Email Daniel Birchok, director of IGS, at [email protected].
How do I pursue an International and Global Studies program?
For those interested in the IGS certificate, you can find information here.
For those interested in the IGS minor, contact [email protected].
Instructions for Declaring an International and Global Studies Certificate
Declaring the Certificate
- Log into SIS.
- Go to the “Student Services” tab.
- Click on “Student Records.”
- Select “Change of Curriculum.”
- Fill in your current degree and major information (unless you are changing that as well).
- Answer “Yes” to “Are you pursuing a certificate?”
- List the certificate title as “International & Global Studies Certificate.”
You can also ask your advisor for assistance declaring your certificate. Whether you do so or not, please communicate with them about your intention to do so. That way, they can work with you to ensure you can complete the IGS certificate within your broader degree plan as efficiently as possible.