Undergraduate Programs

Why Study Global Studies?

Internationalization; global citizenship; civic engagement; social justice—these skills and values are at the heart of the Global Studies program. Within these core principles, our students can pursue professional avenues ranging from law and human rights to arts and identity. We offer students a level of language proficiency and cultural grounding beyond general education requirements, positioning them as expert intercultural citizens.


Major in Global Studies

In our pre-major, BA and BS in Global Studies, we offer personalized study pathways that allow students to tailor their training toward their career goals and specific geographic areas of interest. Any other minor degree may also serve as a professional concentration. Intercultural experience provides a mechanism for students to incorporate study abroad, internships, and other intercultural experiential learning into their training.

Our department maintains a tradition of direct faculty-to-student mentorship that is unusual at the UO. This gets formalized in our requirement that every Global Studies major has an identified faculty member who has formally agreed to serve as their mentor for the major.



Honors in Global Studies

Undergraduates may choose to graduate with Honors in Global Studies. An honors thesis provides a great way for a student to do one-on-one research work with a faculty member. An honors thesis can also serve as a high-quality writing sample for an application to graduate school or a job.

Honors Requirements


student in london

Minors in Global Studies

The Department of Global Studies is home to the Global Studies minor. Our department has connections with two other minor programs, and offers the only Peace Corps prep certificate program in the state of Oregon.

  • In the Global Service program, students can minor in Global Service, obtain a Peace Corps Prep Certificate, or both.
  • In the Global Health program, students learn diverse approaches to research and practice and also complete a required global health field experience, internship, or practicum.

Minor Requirements


Eloise Navarro

 

“Because Global Studies is such an interdisciplinary academic field, I hope to have experiences in a variety of careers. I'm looking to combine my passion for international issues, language, and environmental issues. For the past few years, I have been heavily involved in local organizations, volunteering, and nonprofits. My goal is to work with international environmental organizations or nonprofits such as UNEP, the WWF, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and Greenpeace.”

—Eloise Navaro, BA in Global Studies, ‘22


Student boxing lettuce on farm

Real-World Experience

Experiential learning is a foundational part of the Department of Global Studies. We offer our students many opportunities for experiential and project-based learning courses. Intercultural experience is a requirement of the major, which can include:

  • Internships, practicums or field studies
  • Study abroad
  • Research with a professor
  • Experiential learning

Experiential Learning


student at interview

What you can do with a Global Studies degree

A Global Studies major can prepare you to work in many fields. Learn about possible careers and hear from alumni.

Explore Careers


Scholarships and Awards

Learn about ways to apply for funding through the Department of Global Studies.

Explore Scholarships and Awards


Advising and Academic Support

Schedule an appointment with a faculty advisor, choose a faculty mentor, find important department forms and get answers.

Departmental Advising and Support


Events

How to Be Ready for the BIG10 Academia Career Fair
Oct14
How to Be Ready for the BIG10 Academia Career Fair Oct 14
How to: Resume and Cover Letter Tips Workshop
Oct14
How to: Resume and Cover Letter Tips Workshop Oct 14 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Physical Chemistry Seminar: “Spectroscopic Studies of Nucleic Acid Structure, Dynamics and Photophysics”
Oct14
Physical Chemistry Seminar: “Spectroscopic Studies of Nucleic Acid Structure, Dynamics and Photophysics” Oct 14 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
History Pub Lecture Series: "Malaria Eradication in Africa, 1920-2020: A History of Failures, but What About the Present?"
Oct14
History Pub Lecture Series: "Malaria Eradication in Africa, 1920-2020: A History of Failures, but What About the Present?" Oct 14 Whirled Pies Downtown
Department of History Coffee Hour
Oct15
Department of History Coffee Hour Oct 15 McKenzie Hall
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together
Oct15
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together Oct 15 Susan Campbell Hall
The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars
Oct15
The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars Oct 15 William W. Knight Law Center
How to Be Ready for the Graduate Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event (GSPIRE)
Oct15
How to Be Ready for the Graduate Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event (GSPIRE) Oct 15
The BIG 10+ Academia Career Fair
Oct16
The BIG 10+ Academia Career Fair Oct 16
Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches)
Oct16
Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches) Oct 16 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall