Global Studies FAQs

Typically, although other faculty sharing common interests may agree to act as your advisor. Please consult them first.

There are as many paths to completing a Global Studies degree as there are individual students, so we encourage you to work closely with your major and four-year advisors to make sure that you pass all the milestones, both required and elective, prior to graduation.

No, it's not required but it is recommended.

No. You must have at least 24 units of advanced coursework (for DEV, GA, GCS, and IA) or 30 units of advanced coursework (for Eurasian Studies and European Studies) distinct to your Global Studies major. Language courses taken to fulfill your language requirement for Global Studies may count toward another major or minor.

There may be courses that are very appropriate to the Global Studies major which were overlooked in the cross-listing process. It is very important that you consult your major advisor before enrolling in such courses, since you must have approval to count the course toward your major. If you believe that a course is relevant to your Global Studies concentration, but the course does not appear on the course list for the concentration, then you may petition to add the course (see next FAQ). NB Petitions are only for ELECTIVE courses.

You should consult with your Global Studies major advisor prior to petitioning for the course, then follow the instructions on this FORM. NB Petitions are only for ELECTIVE courses.

No more than 12 total units earned outside of the day school of Washington University may ever be applied to your Global Studies degree. This includes credits from study abroad (never more than 6 units from a single semester, 3 from a summer, or 12 from a year), University College, or summer school from other US universities, or a combination (400-level units must be earned on campus or in Washington University courses taught abroad).
Exceptions may be made for students who transfer to Washington University from another university.

Yes, a course taken through Washington University’s Summer School may count, and may be at any level. As with regular semester Washington University day courses, these courses must be taken for a letter grade. No additional paperwork is necessary to count these courses toward the major.
A summer school course taken at another US university may count (maximum 3 units), but you must petition to have it count toward your Global Studies major. As with any other course taken for the Global Studies major, it must be taken for a letter grade. To receive credit for a summer course completed at another institution, you should fill out the Approval for Non-Wash U Course Credit form with Arts & Sciences to take the course for 'general credit' and then petition to have the course count toward your Global Studies major.

Yes, but a University College course (not a Washington University summer school course) is considered to be “outside the day school” and therefore needs your advisor’s approval to count toward the Global Studies major.

GCP core courses may count toward the Global Studies major, for a maximum of 6 units at the lower level. Specifically,
L61 116 Geographies of Globalization and Development is an introductory course for the Development, Global Cultural Studies, and International Affairs concentrations
L61 117 Global Population on the Move: Refugees, Resettlement, Education, and Advocacy is an introductory course for the Development, Global Cultural Studies, and International Affairs concentrations

Yes, you may pursue individual interests outside the classroom format by enrolling under the direction of one or more faculty members in L97 GS 400 (Independent Study) OR L97 GS 4005 (Directed Research). With your major advisor's approval, you may apply a maximum of three independent study or directed research credits toward the Global Studies major.

While study abroad is not a requirement for the Global Studies major, we strongly encourage it. If you are unwilling or unable to study abroad for a semester, summer, or year for Global Studies credit, you must complete an additional 3 credit course at the 300 or 400 level to complete the Global Studies major.
Class of  '23 majors are exempt from this rule.

Yes, so long as the courses are relevant to your Global Studies concentration. Courses taken abroad may, where appropriate, fulfill world area and disciplinary requirements as well as advanced elective units. You may count up to 6 units toward your major requirements from a semester abroad, up to 3 units from a summer abroad, and up to 12 units from a year abroad. Please consult the Study Abroad Advisor for Global Studies, Dr. Rebecca Clouser as early as possible about study abroad plans.

If you take a foreign language course at another institution (whether in the US or abroad), you shall receive credit for the course as part of the four-semester Global Studies modern language requirement only if 1) you take a placement exam upon return to Washington University and 2) the language department determines that you may progress to the next highest level of language instruction.

Majors in the Eurasian Studies, European Studies, and Global Asias concentrations must study abroad in a country relevant to their concentration area. Otherwise, they will not meet the study abroad requirement and will need to complete an additional 300 or 400 level course on campus.

For all other concentrations, please consult the Study Abroad Advisor for Global Studies, Dr. Rebecca Clouser.

No. The exception to this is if you are studying abroad on a Washington University approved language program; this can, in some cases, fulfill credits toward your language requirement and represent your study abroad experience. Please consult the Study Abroad Advisor for Global Studies, Dr. Rebecca Clouser about the language exception.

Yes, and it must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Yes. Please consult Grants and Scholarships on the Overseas Programs page for study abroad programs and postgraduate research opportunities. For a longer list of potential funding sources, see the Global.wustl website.

Although internships are encouraged, Global Studies does not offer academic credit for them toward the major. Instead, you should check with the College of Arts & Sciences about receiving credit toward your overall graduation credits.