Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do I have an International Studies Advisor and an Admissions/Records Officer?
Q: What is a Degree Audit (or DARS) and how can a generate one?
Q: What are advanced hours and how many do I need?
Q: I’m interested in a career in international business. Is International Studies the right major for me?
A: Maybe. Like many other majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, International Studies gives students significant opportunities to develop communication and critical thinking skills essential to any career, including business. Unlike students in many other majors, however, IS students develop significant understanding of international phenomena and the language and culture of a particular region. This understanding can be especially useful when employed in international business. That said, the International Studies major should not be considered technical training for business. Students interested in working in an area that requires technical training, such as accounting or marketing, should look into options within the College of Business (http://www.business.uiuc.edu). Students who decide that International Studies is right for them should consider how to gain knowledge and skills suitable to a business career, whether through well-chosen electives or a PTS core that focuses on an aspect of business. For additional information on liberal arts majors and business careers, please see: http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/career/businesscareers.html.
Q: What is a Degree Audit (or DARS) and how can a generate one?
A: Your Degree Audit is extremely useful tool that allows you to see how you are progressing in all aspects of your degree, including your major and general education requirements. To generate your own Degree Audit, please see: http://www.oar.uiuc.edu/current/dars/index.html
NOTE: Your major may not be reflected accurately, particularly if you have not submitted a Major Plan of Study (MPS) or MPS substitution form. If you have any questions about how your major is represented in DARS, please meet with an International Studies advisor.
Q: Can a course that fulfills a general education requirement also fulfill a requirement in the IS major?
A: Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to apply a course to both a gen. ed. and a major requirement. Gen. eds. that are often fulfilled with IS courses are Literature and the Arts, Historical and Philosophical Perspectives, Social Sciences, and Western and Non-western Cultures. There are even some courses that can be used as Literature and the Arts gen. eds. and IS language requirements. The best way to find courses that can count for both gen. eds. and IS requirements is by checking the IS website (http://www.intstudies.uiuc.edu) and the UIUC gen. ed. list (http://courses.uiuc.edu/cis/gened/urbana/2006/Fall/). Please note that there are some LAS specific gen. ed. restrictions you should bear in mind. This information is listed on the LAS website (http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/requirements/genedgrid.html), but we strongly recommend you also check with your Admissions/Records Officer in 270 Lincoln Hall.
Q: What are advanced hours and how many do I need?
A: Advanced hours are earned by completing most 300- and 400-level courses. The few 300- and 400-level courses that are not considered advanced hour courses include:
- Chinese or Japanese (intensive 1st- and 2nd-year courses)
- African Languages, LGLA 404-405, SWAH 403-404, WLOF 403-404, ZULU 403-404, BMNA 403-404 (2nd-year courses)
- Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Persian 403-404 (2nd-year courses)
- Linguistics 404
- Asian Studies 445
- Latin American Studies 445 (tutorial)
Courses transferred from a community college cannot be applied to this requirement. With proper approval some study abroad courses may be acceptable.
Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must earn at least 21 hours at the advanced level. International Studies majors must complete 12 advanced hours in their major (at least 6 in the PTS). Note that all advanced hours in the major apply to the College requirement. Students who are applying a minor to their PTS and would like it to be recognized officially on their transcript must complete at least 6 additional hours of course work at the advanced level (for a total of 12 in the PTS).
Q: Why do I have an International Studies Advisor and an Admissions/Records Officer?
A: Your International Studies Advisor and Admissions/Records Officer work together to help you as you proceed through your major and degree, from the moment you begin at the university until your graduation day.
Your International Studies Advisor is available to answer any questions you have about your International Studies curriculum, fulfilling curricular requirements and completing your Major Plan of Study. Your IS Advisor can also answer questions about your overall progress towards degree. You are encouraged to discuss other important issues with your IS Advisor, including study abroad, professional interests, and academic difficulties or other factors that are impacting your success at Illinois.
Your Admissions/Records Officer is the person who prepares the graduation list and the final audit of your academic record for degree completion. Admissions/Records Officers are available on a walk-in basis in the College of LAS student affairs office, 270 Lincoln Hall. If you don't know who your Admissions/Records Officer is, you can find out at 270 Lincoln Hall or by visiting this College webpage and scrolling down: http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/advising/academicaffairs.html