International and Global Studies Program

Yes, provided that the courses offered by your chosen study abroad program are closely related to IGS requirements.

The class for which you are seeking IGS credit does not need to be identical to one being offered on campus: After all, you are going abroad to learn things you can’t learn here.  The classes should, however, resemble IGS classes. Ask yourself: Will this class teach me something critical to understanding the country or region to which I am traveling?  Will it illuminate some aspect of its politics, economics, and/or culture?

You may count two classes per semester toward the major.  If you are abroad for a year, you may count four classes toward the major.

Yes — if the other major will accept the class.

You can't. The IGS study abroad liaison can review the classes that you are interested in — both at the time you apply for study abroad and sometimes by e-mail while you are enrolling in classes. But we can only confirm IGS credit once you have taken the class and returned to campus. For more information on receiving credit after you've returned to campus, review the: Receiving Credit in IGS section.

Please note that the topic and focus of classes taken abroad for IGS credit must be relevant to the location where you are studying. A generic course that can be taken anywhere will not be considered for IGS credit.

No. Students should take their core courses at Brandeis. In fact it is highly recommended that students take their core courses before going abroad.

No. IGS is looking for you to have a substantive international experience. This can be accomplished by either studying abroad or completing an international internship.

No on both counts. By being at Brandeis you are already fulfilling our requirement to have an "international experience." If you speak another language at home, English can count as your foreign language.

The Registrar should automatically give all international students credit for an international experience. If you do not see this credit on your Undergraduate Degree Audit, please write to Jazz Dottin, IGS Academic Administrator.

Rarely, and only in unusual circumstances, such as a planned semester-long program being cancelled. If you do need to use a summer program to fulfill the requirement, it must be at least eight weeks long and involve substantive academic work related to the culture and society one is exploring overseas. Programs need to focus on immersion into the culture and society, preferably including a homestay. We do not count programs that are solely for language study. Please meet with the IGS study abroad liaison to review the specifics of a given program.