Why Choose Nazareth for International and Global Studies?

International and global studies majors at Nazareth University learn about global processes that impact everyday people and communities as well as international relations and policies. The scope of the international studies includes explorations of human trafficking, fair trade, women's movements, microfinance, disaster relief, religious nationalism, media, and world literature and art.

You will consider how we here at Nazareth relate to global concerns and what our ethical obligations are as citizens in a cosmopolitan world. You will engage international issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives and you focus your course of study by choosing among four elective tracks that pursue issues of global conflict and resistance, sustainability, development, and art and culture.

Build upon coursework and language learning by taking advantage of study abroad through our Center for International Education as well as domestic or international internships that align with your areas of interest.

What can I do with a degree in International and Global Studies?

This degree helps to prepare you to enter a career in government, the foreign diplomatic service, intelligence agencies, business, journalism, law, or international service work. This major is also excellent preparation for graduate school in more specialized areas.

Program Highlights

  • Prepare for the international workforce or graduate school by double majoring or minoring in Spanish, Italian, French, German, or Chinese or working up to the intermediate level in Arabic.
  • Engage with overseas communities and cultures through study abroad for one or two semesters in locations ranging from Salzburg, Austria, to Sichuan, China. Short-term study abroad options include an environmental sustainability focus in Costa Rica and South Africa/Eswatini experience delving into the legacies of apartheid and youth development.
  • Choose one of four tracks to focus your area of interest: 
    • Conflict, Security, and Resistance
    • Global Sustainability
    • Development Studies
    • Cultural and Artistic Formations
  • Complement your global studies major by double majoring or minoring in business, history, religious studies, interfaith studies, social work, or political science. Or prepare to teach with a double major in inclusive education.
Lindsey Spector, international relations, at an alumni gathering in DC

Alumni Spotlight

"My experiences at Nazareth made me a critical thinker, improved my writing skills, solidified my interest in international issues, and — most importantly — I think Nazareth gave me a greater awareness of myself. I think a large part of that was my experience studying abroad in Berlin, Germany, and Valencia, Spain. My internship through the Berlin program at the German Parliament helped solidify my interest in international politics and really helped me see issues from a completely new perspective."
"The personal relationships I built at Nazareth with professors and fellow students... I've been able to continue those relationships and build my network."

Lindsey Spector, public affairs specialist, U.S. Dept. of State, went on for master's degrees in international relations from Syracuse University and in development studies at International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands

Example Careers

  • Foreign service officer for the State Department, CIA, or FBI
  • Program coordinator for OXFAM or other non-profit organization
  • Program evaluator for United Nations Development Program
  • International law for United Nations High Commission for Refugees
  • English as a Second Language (TESOL) overseas instructor
  • Translator for The American Translation Association
  • Journalist for a major global media outlet
  • Human resource worker for an international corporation
  • Researcher for Council for Foreign Relations
  • International development consultant for the World Health Organization

Internships/Field Experiences

  • Global non-government organization such as World Bank or UNESCO
  • International environmental organization such as World Wildlife Fund
  • United Nations Association in Rochester; Washington, D.C., or abroad
  • Critical language fellowship overseas
  • Washington Internship Institute
  • Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services or other refugee settlement work
  • Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship overseas
  • Peace Corps

Graduate Schools

  • UCLA and UC Santa Barbara
  • Syracuse University
  • University of Pittsburg
  • City of New York Graduate Center
  • Humboldt University of Berlin
  • London School of Economics
  • School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London
  • Aarhus University in Denmark
  • American University of Cairo
  • University of Shanghai
  • RMIT University in Melbourne