Q: HOW DO I DECLARE THE GS MAJOR?

A: In order to declare the Global Studies major, students must attend a Global Studies Information Session. Multiple sessions are held throughout the semester. At the Information Session, students interested in declaring the Global Studies major can complete the necessary paperwork and receive an approval signature from a Global Studies advisor on the GS major declaration form. Major declaration forms should then be submitted to the LAS College office at 702 South Wright Street, 2002 Lincoln Hall.

Students may only change their major during a major declaration period. These occur at various times each semester. For the next declaration period and for details on eligibility, please see the College of LAS site. Students who wish to declare GS as a second major can do so anytime after they have completed 60 credit hours toward graduation.

Once you have attended an information session and declared the major, you are welcome to schedule an appointment with a Global Studies advisor by calling 217-333-0178 during our business hours (8:30a.m.-11:50a.m.; 1:00p.m.-4:30p.m. M-F).

Q: HOW DO I DECLARE THE GS MINOR?

A: In order to declare the Global Studies minor, students must attend a Global Studies Information Session. Multiple sessions are held throughout the semester. At the Information Session, students interested in declaring the Global Studies minor can complete the necessary paperwork and receive an approval signature from a Global Studies advisor on the minor declaration form. Minor declaration forms should then be submitted to the LAS office at 702 S. Wright St, Room 2002, Urbana, IL.

Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences may only declare a minor following the completion of 30 credit hours.

Q: I’M INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS. IS GLOBAL STUDIES THE RIGHT MAJOR FOR ME?

A: Maybe. Like many other majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Global 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, GS students develop significant understanding of global phenomena and the language and culture of a particular region. This understanding can be especially useful when employed in international business.

That said, the Global 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. Students who decide that Global 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 Thematic Area that focuses on an aspect of business. Students are strongly cautioned that, like many other colleges on campus, the College of Business restricts course access to their own majors. Course restrictions are typically removed once Business has given its students adequate time to register. Nevertheless, non-College of Business students should not assume they will be able to get into Business courses.

A Global Markets & Societies Minor has been formulated for anyone on campus that wishes to explore global business practices. 

View additional information on liberal arts majors and business careers

Q: WHAT IS A DEGREE AUDIT (OR DARS) AND HOW CAN I GENERATE ONE?

A: Your Degree Audit is an 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. Generate your own Degree Audit

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 a Global Studies advisor.

Q: CAN A COURSE THAT FULFILLS A GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT ALSO FULFILL A REQUIREMENT IN THE GS 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 GS courses are Literature and the Arts, Historical and Philosophical Perspectives, Social Sciences, and Western and Non-western Cultures. Please note that there are some LAS specific gen ed restrictions you should bear in mind. This information is listed on the LAS website, but we strongly recommend you also check with your Admissions/Records Officer located at 702 S. Wright St, Room 2002, Urbana, IL. 

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:

  • African Languages SWAH 403-404, WLOF 403-404, ZULU 403-404, BMNA 403-404 (second-year courses)
  • Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, Turkish 403-404 (second-year courses)
  • Asian Studies 445
  • Baltic 401, 402, 411, 412
  • Basque 401
  • Chinese or Japanese (intensive first- and second-year courses)
  • Coptic 401, 401
  • Latin American Studies 445 (tutorial)
  • Linguistics 404
  • Portuguese 400, 401-402
  • Sanskrit RLST 412, 413; SNSK 403, 404
  • Speech and Hearing Science 321

Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must earn at least 21 hours at the advanced level. Global Studies majors must complete 12 advanced hours in their major (at least 9 in the Thematic Area). Note that all advanced hours in the major apply to the College requirement. Studnets may want to use page 16 in the Global Studies Major Handbook to track keep track of advanced hours (your DARS report will also do this for you).

Students who are pursuing a second major or a minor must have separate advanced hours for each major and each minor. Advanced level courses to fulfill the 21 hour requirement must be taken on campus. Advanced level courses taken abroad or taken at a community college cannot be applied to this requirement.

Q: WHY DO I HAVE A GLOBAL STUDIES ADVISOR AND AN ADMISSIONS/RECORDS OFFICER?

A: Your Global 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 Global Studies Advisor is available to answer any questions you have about your Global Studies curriculum, fulfilling curricular requirements and completing your Major Plan of Study. Your GS Advisor can also answer questions about your overall progress towards degree. You are encouraged to discuss other important issues with your GS 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, 2002 Lincoln Hall. If you don't know who your Admissions/Records Officer is, you can find out at 702 S. Wright St, Room 2002, or by visiting this College web page.