Newly Admitted Students
Welcome to UC San Diego
Congratulations on your offer of admission to the University of California San Diego - we are excited for you to join our program! Should you have any questions along the way, please contact us.
New Student Guide
Academic Plans
Visit plans.ucsd.edu to review samples of academic plans that include ISP major requirements and college requirements.
Orientations
Sign up for ISP’s major orientation and your college orientation to learn more about requirements to graduate on time.
ISP First Year & Transfer Orientation - August 2024
Academic Information and FAQs
ISP Major, Minor, and Joint BA/MIA Programs
Can I switch into an International Studies major, or switch to a different International Studies discipline?
Yes, all International Studies majors are open (not capped) majors, and students can easily switch into the major or into another discipline online after they have enrolled in classes for their first quarter.
Complementary Minors for IS Majors
Many academic departments and programs on campus offer minors which complement students' major coursework. The list below highlights minors that may be of interest to students in the International Studies Program. A complete list of all undergraduate minors and information on how to declare a minor can be found on Blink.
Students may not declare a minor in the same department as their discipline. For example, International Studies - Economics students, may not declare a minor in Economics or Management Science. There is one exception to this policy: International Studies - Linguistics students may minor in General Linguistics, Language Studies or Speech and Language Sciences.
| Minor | Description | Department/Program |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | The Accounting minor helps students understand the development and use of financial and accounting information by decision makers. | Rady School of Management |
| Chinese Studies |
With an ever-intensifying job market, having a second language in your arsenal can make all the difference as you build a satisfying and purposeful career. |
Chinese Studies Program |
| Communication | Communication at UCSD emphasizes the role of technologies of communication in shaping human experience and relationships. May be of interest for students wanting to enter marketing, advertising, or sales. | Communication |
| Data Science | The minor will provide basic training in computer programming, linear algebra, as well as probability and statistics, and a high-level overview of the different types of data and methodologies. | Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute |
| Economics | Emphasizes tools of economics analysis and their applications to contemporary problems and government policies. *Not open to IS - Economics Majors |
Economics |
| Finance |
Develops current knowledge that firms are seeking in areas like sustainable investing, financial modeling and forecasting, private equity and new venture finance, along with sound fundamentals of corporate finance, investment banking, and financial accounting. *Open to IS - International Business Majors, Effective Winter 2022 |
Rady School of Management |
| Global Health | Besides the health professions, Global Health can be addressed through positions such as social workers, health educators, engineers and even roles such as marketing and journalism. | Global Health |
| Health Care - Social Issues | Designed to enhance student competence in analyzing the complex social and ethical ramifications of health care issues that impact modern health care. | Warren College |
| History | At the crossroads of the humanities, the arts, and the social sciences, history is the study of human experience as it has unfolded over the ages. *Not open to IS-History Majors |
History |
| Law and Society | An interdisciplinary minor that explores the complexity and interrelationship of legal, social, and ethical issues in their historical context. | Warren College |
| Management Science | Covers some of the functional fields of business management; more focused on quantitative methods than a traditional business administration major. Helps to prepare students for MBA programs. *Not open to IS - Economics Majors |
Economics |
| Marketing |
Emphasizes both solid theoretical foundations and hands- on skill development, and builds on foundations laid in business analytics, computer science, economics, psychology and statistics. Every business, government and nonprofit enterprise involves some component of marketing. *Open to IS - International Business Majors, Effective Winter 2022 |
Rady School of Management |
| Political Science | Addresses some of the fundamental problems facing human society. Questions concerning world peace, government policies, the management of environmental quality, political competition, law to affect social and political change, and the gap between the rich and poor are all on the research agenda of contemporary political scientists. * Not open to IS - Political Science Majors |
Political Science |
| Public Service | Develop civic-skills and service-learning experience through academic and practicum-based means of civic engagement. | Marshall College |
| Real Estate and Development | Recognizes that the next generation of real estate development innovators will need to understand the nexus between real estate finance and development, data analysis, urban planning and design, environmental regulations, and new technologies. | Urban Studies and Planning |
How do I add a minor?
You can add a minor using the major/minor tool on TritonLink after you have enrolled in Fall coursework.
Is the Joint BA/MIA Program right for you?
The International Studies Program and the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) have collaborated to create a combined Bachelor of Arts / Master of International Affairs program (BA/MIA).
We offer three degree pathways open to students in the International Studies Program:
Transferring Credits
Connect with an Academic Advisor
ISP Academic Advising
Your ISP Academic Advisors are available during in-person/virtual drop-in hours, by appointment and through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC). Please see the ISP Academic Advising page to learn more.
AP and IB Credit
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credit may be applicable toward your major and College requirements. The following chart determines how AP or IB credit may be applicable to count as lower-division requirements relevant to International Studies (IS) majors. You will not receive additional credit if you take courses from which you are exempt. For the most accurate information refer to the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) pages.
Advanced Placement (AP)
| Math | Score | Units | Lower Division Equivalent | IS-Major |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB* | 3 | 4 | MATH 10A | IS-International Business IS-Economics |
| Calculus AB* | 4, 5 | 4 | MATH 20A or 10A | IS-International Business IS-Economics |
| Calculus BC* | 3 | 8 | MATH 20A or 10A and 10B | IS-International Business IS-Economics |
| Calculus BC* | 4, 5 | 8 | MATH 20A, 20B or 10A, 10B | IS-International Business IS-Economics |
| *8 unit max for both tests | ||||
| Economics | Score | Units | Lower Division Equivalent | IS-Major |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microeconomics | 5 | 4 | ECON 1 | IS-Economics |
| Macroeconomics | 5 | 4 | ECON 3 | IS-Economics |
International Baccalaureate (IB)
| Math | Score | Units | Lower Division Equivalent | IS-Major |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (Higher IB level) |
5, 6 or 7 | 8 | Math 20A and MATH 10B If Topic 9-Option: calculus completed, student should petition math department for both 20A and 20B credit. |
IS-International Business IS-Economics |
| Only Higher Level Exams are accepted for credit by the University of California; Standard Level Exams are not given credit to fulfill major requirements. | ||||
| Economics | Score | Units | Lower Division Equivalent | IS-Major |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higher IB level | 7 | 8 | ECON 1, 3 | IS-Economics |
| Only Higher Level Exams are accepted for credit by the University of California; Standard Level Exams are not given credit to fulfill major requirements. | ||||
Community College Credits
For transfer students, completion of Lower Division coursework prior to transferring is strongly encouraged but not required. Completing as much required lower division coursework as possible for your desired major before transfer will help you stay on track for enrollment at UCSD. See lower division requirements listed below. Some high school students may take community college courses as a high school students as well. Please use ASSIST.org to find equivalent courses at your community college.
IS Language Requirement: All students majoring in International Studies are required to demonstrate 4th quarter proficiency in a foreign language. There are many ways in which to complete the requirement for the International Studies major and minor prior to matriculation to UC San Diego.
| IS-Major | Language Requirement | Lower Division Requirement | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IS-International Business | 4th Quarter Level Language | MATH 10/20 A-B-C - Calculus MGT/ECON 4 - Financial Accounting MGT 5 - Managerial Accounting |
||
| IS-International Economics | 4th Quarter Level Language | MATH 10/20 A-B-C - Calculus ECON 1 - Microeconomics ECON 2 - Market Imperfections and Policy (must be taken at UCSD) ECON 3 - Macroeconomics |
||
| IS-Philosophy | 4th Quarter Level Language | PHIL 10 - Introduction to Logic | ||
| IS-Anthropology | 4th Quarter Level Language | |||
| IS-History | 4th Quarter Level Language | |||
| IS-Linguistics | 4th Quarter Level Language | |||
| IS-Literature | 4th Quarter Level Language | |||
| IS-Political Science | 4th Quarter Level Language | |||
| IS-Sociology | 4th Quarter Level Language | |||
| Use ASSIST.org to find equivalent courses at your community college. | ||||
Can I take lower division courses at a community college?
You can take a lower-division course at a community college. Use ASSIST.org for guidance on the specific course to take. Contact ISP via the Virtual Advising Center if you do not see your course listed. Keep in mind that you can transfer a maximum of 105 units from other institutions. After 105 units, you may apply completed courses towards your major requirements but you will not earn units for the courses. See ISP Advisors with any questions.
Get Credit for Study Abroad Courses or an Academic Internship
Plan ahead! Students may study abroad or participate in an internship while earning academic credit towards their ISP major or minor. Refer to the petition process to learn more about how to apply these experiences as academic credits to ISP requirements.
- Study Abroad
- UCDC Program - Internship in Washington DC
- UC Center Sacramento (UCCS) - Internship in Sacramento, California
- Academic Internship Program (AIP)
FAQ about Enrollment and Grading Options
How do I find my appointment date for enrollment?
You will find your enrollment appointment time/date on TritonLink. Click on the Classes & Enrollment tab, then WebReg, then appointment time.
What should I enroll in for my first quarter?
Check to see if you will have satisfied the major's language requirement. If not, it is important that you enroll in the appropriate level of language in fall quarter. You will need to take a placement exam to determine the proper level and enrollment.
Prioritize enrolling in your college writing course (if applicable) as it is a prerequisite for INTL 101 and INTL 102. Once you complete your college writing course, you can enroll in INTL 101 or 102.
Consider enrolling in one of your upper division Disciplinary Focus or Interdisciplinary Elective/Regional Requirement courses. Please note that you are responsible for completing all prerequisites for these upper division courses, so it is important to pay attention to these when planning your schedule.
- Review your general education (GE) requirements with your college advising office
- We recommend enrolling in 12-16 units during your first quarter at UC San Diego. 12 units are considered full-time status. Keep in mind that you will be adjusting to a new school and the pace of the quarter system (10 weeks), so enroll in an academic load that is most manageable for you.
- Be sure to visit plans.ucsd.edu to review an academic plan the includes your major requirements and college general education requirements.
What courses should I take for a P/NP grading option?
The only courses which may be taken for a P/NP grading option for International Studies majors are language courses. Language courses may be taken for P/NP or a letter grade of C- or better. All other major requirements must be taken for a letter grade of C- or above.
Transfer Students FAQ
I’ve completed the IGETC Certification but it’s not showing up on my Academic History or Degree Audit. What do I do?
IGETC certification is often separate from one's transcripts sent by your prior institution and usually needs to be sent separately. To find out if the Admissions Office has received your IGETC Certification please reach out to them via email at personalreply@ucsd.edu
Can I switch into an International Studies major after I transfer, or switch to a different International Studies discipline?
Yes, all International Studies majors are open (not capped) majors, and students can easily switch into the major or into another discipline online after they have enrolled in classes for their first quarter.
Is it possible to study abroad as a transfer student?
Yes! The International Studies Program allows up to 4 courses from another institution (including institutions abroad) to be used towards major degree requirements. With this, it is possible to work on your major requirements while abroad, so you don’t have to delay your graduation. Start by checking out the Study Abroad Website for information on first steps and exploring programs. Come visit ISP Advising early to incorporate study abroad into your quarter by quarter plan!
Campus Resources
For more UCSD resouces, please explore our campus resources pages to find what you may need.
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