If you would like to take an upper-division course at UC San Diego that is not on the pre-approved list for your disciplinary focus or interdisciplinary electives, you must submit a petition and the course syllabus for pre-approval.  We always love to learn about new courses on campus - if it fits the ISP requirements, we will add it to our curriculum!

Steps to petition an upper-division course at UC San Diego:

1. Obtain pre-approval for the course
   
   • Contact the International Studies Advisors to obtain pre-approval to take a course not listed on the International Studies approved list. 
     • Note: Pre-approval does not guarantee major credit, but the advisors are able to provide you with guidance on course content and the likelihood that the course will be accepted.
2. Upon completion of the course:
   • Wait until the course and the grade has posted to your academic history
   • Complete an the ISP Online Petition Form
     
     • Fill out a separate petition for each course that you are petitioning.
   • On each petition include the course # (as it appears on TritonLink), course title, # of units, grade received,  quarter/semester the course was taken, the University in which you were enrolled and specify International Studies requirement you want to apply the course toward (e.g. Political Science disciplinary focus and Latin America Regional Requirement). Please also sign and date the petition.
   • Example of a completed petition for a UCSD course.
3. Attach all coursework.
   • Required: Syllabus
   • Optional: The purpose of including the coursework is to supplement the syllabus and demonstrate that the course fits in with and supplements the International Studies curriculum.  If they are available to you, along with the syllabus please submit exams, papers, lecture notes and any other material that will supplement the petition.
4. Submit completed petition(s) & coursework to the International Studies Advising Office.
5. Notification & Processing
   • You will be notified via the Virtual Advising Center in approximately 2-3 weeks with the results of your petition. We recommend that you turn in your petitions as early as possible so that you have your results and can accurately create your academic plan, so that you do not lose your syllabus or your coursework, and so that you do not delay the processing of your degree.

Through the Academic Internship Program, you can earn credit towards your major requirements for an academic internship.  Students may use one AIP 197 towards their major requirements. Refer to Academic Internship Program to learn if you are eligible and for more information on the application process.

Steps to apply AIP 197 towards your ISP major requirements:

1. Refer to the AIP website for information on how to apply to AIP.
   
   • This is a process that needs to begin 1-2 quarters before you plan to enroll in AIP 197.
     
     • Requirements for participation in AIP:
       • Apply to AIP and follow the procedures and protocals set forth by the program
       • Secure an internship
       • Secure a faculty advisor
     • Requirements to use AIP 197 towards ISP Major Requirements
       • Must earn at least 4 quarter units of upper-division credit
       • Must submit a research paper in order to receive major credit; projects will not be accepted
2. To use AIP 197 towards an ISP Major Requirement:
   
   • Students are required to complete a minimum 4,500 word research paper
   • The paper must consist of at least 4,500 words with 1 inch margins, 12 point font and a bibliography containing multiple scholarly sources.  
     • Note: Word count excludes the bibliography, but includes footnotes, endnotes, and tables.
   • Research paper topic must be pre-approved – this initial review does not guarantee course credit.  The topic of research must have at least 50% international content.
     • International Studies defines a topic as international if the focus is outside of the United States.  A study of international populations within the United States borders is not considered international.  Please send a message in the VAC to ISP Advisors for clarification and topic pre-approval.
   • To use the course towards Disciplinary Focus Requirement :
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must match the field of study of the Disciplinary Focus and have at least 50% international content.
   • To use the course towards Interdisciplinary Elective Requirement:
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must have at least 50% international content but can be from any field of study.
   • To apply this course towards Regional Requirement:
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must have at least 50% international content focused on particular region of study (Example: Africa, East Asia, Europe, etc.)
3. Upon completion of the course:
   • Confirm that your grade is posted to your academic history
   • Complete an ISP Online Petition Form
     
     • Example of a completed petition for an AIP 197 course
     • Include the ISP requirement that you would like the course to apply to (Disciplinary Focus or Interdisciplinary Elective
   • Submit completed research paper to ISP Advising at isp@ucsd.edu
4. Notification & Processing
   • You will be notified via the Virtual Advising Center  in approximately 2-3 weeks with the results of your petition.

To use AIP 197 towards ISP major requirements, you must submit the undergraduate student petition form and research paper to ISP Advising before the Friday of Week 10 in your graduating quarter. If these documents are not submitted by this deadline, you will be required to take an alternative course to fulfill the requirements.

At this time, students are not able to complete a 199 within the International Studies Program (for example, INTL 199.)  Students should enroll in a special studies course through the home department of the professor that they are working with (for example, if a student is working with a Political Science Professor, they should enroll in POLI 199.)

Steps to enroll in a special studies course:

1. Refer to TritonLink: How to Request Enrollment in Special Studies Classes (Undergraduates)
   • Meet with an advisor in the International Studies Program to see if you are eligible to apply a special studies course to your major requirements
   • Meet with your potential instructor to design a project that fits your academic plan
   • Meet with the advisor in the home department of the instructor you plan to work with
2. Submit a request to enroll in Special Studies 197, 198, or 199 through the Enrollment Authorization System (EASy).

Steps to apply a special studies course towards your ISP major requirements:

1. To use a special studies course towards an ISP Major Requirement:
   
   • Students are required to complete a minimum 4,500 word research paper
   • The paper must consist of at least 4,500 words with 1 inch margins, 12 point font and a bibliography containing multiple scholarly sources.  
     • Note: Word count excludes the bibliography, but includes footnotes, endnotes, and tables.
   • Research paper topic must be pre-approved – this initial review does not guarantee course credit.  The topic of research must have at least 50% international content.
     • International Studies defines a topic as international if the focus is outside of the United States.  A study of international populations within the United States borders is not considered international.  Please send a message in the VAC to ISP Advisors for clarification and topic pre-approval.
   • To use the course towards Disciplinary Focus Requirement :
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must match the field of study of the Disciplinary Focus and have at least 50% international content.
   • To use the course towards Interdisciplinary Elective Requirement:
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must have at least 50% international content but can be from any field of study.
   • To apply this course towards Regional Requirement:
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must have at least 50% international content focused on particular region of study (Example: Africa, East Asia, Europe, etc.)
2. Upon completion of the course:
   • Confirm that your grade is posted to your academic history
   • Complete an ISP Online Petition Form
     
     • Example of a completed petition for a 199 course
     • Include the ISP requirement that you would like the course to apply to (Disciplinary Focus or Interdisciplinary Elective and Regional Requirement, if applicable)
   • Submit completed research paper to ISP Advising at isp@ucsd.edu
3. Notification & Processing
   • You will be notified via the Virtual Advising Center (http://vac.ucsd.edu) in approximately 2-3 weeks with the results of your petition.

To use a special studies course towards ISP major requirements, you must submit the undergraduate student petition form and research paper to ISP Advising before the Friday of Week 10 in your graduating quarter. If these documents are not submitted by this deadline, you will be required to take an alternative course to fulfill the requirements.

The UCDC program gives participating students three options for enrollment:

• Internship Credit: AIP 197D
  • Internship and related assignments and responsibilities
  • Required; 6, 8 or 10 units; Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
• Research Seminar Credit: POLI 194; COMM 194, USP 194, COGS 194, HITO 193, SOCI 194
  
  • Development and completion of an independent and significant research project under the supervision of UC faculty, and guided by a teaching assistant.
    
  • Required; 4 units; Grading Method: Letter grade (must be taken for letter grade of C- or better to apply to ISP requirements)
    
• Elective Course Credit: EXPR 100
  
  • Optional; 4 units; Grading Method: Letter grade (must be taken for letter grade of C- or better to apply to ISP requirements)
  • Upper-Division elective course - topics vary by quarter and instructor. To view current and past offerings, view UCDC Course Descriptions.

Steps to apply UCDC Program coursework towards your ISP major requirements:

Internship & Research Seminar 

The research seminar and internship work together to produce one piece of scholarly work, the research paper; therefore, students will only be able to combine these courses to petition them as one course towards the major.

1. To use the Internship and Research Seminar credits towards an ISP Major Requirement:
   • Students are required to complete a minimum 4,500 word research paper
   • The paper must consist of at least 4,500 words with 1 inch margins, 12 point font and a bibliography containing multiple scholarly sources.  
     • Note: Word count excludes the bibliography, but includes footnotes, endnotes, and tables.
   • Research paper topic must be pre-approved – this initial review does not guarantee course credit.  The topic of research must have at least 50% international content.
     • International Studies defines a topic as international if the focus is outside of the United States.  A study of international populations within the United States borders is not considered international.  Please send a message in the VAC to ISP Advisors for clarification and topic pre-approval.
   • To use the course towards Disciplinary Focus Requirement :
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must match the field of study of the Disciplinary Focus and have at least 50% international content.
   • To use the course towards Interdisciplinary Elective Requirement:
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must have at least 50% international content but can be from any field of study.
   • To apply this course towards Regional Requirement:
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must have at least 50% international content focused on particular region of study (Example: Africa, East Asia, Europe, etc.)
2. Upon completion of the course:
   • Confirm that your grade is posted to your academic history
   • Complete an ISP Online Petition Form
     
     • Include the ISP requirement that you would like the course to apply to (Disciplinary Focus or Interdisciplinary Elective and Regional Requirement, if applicable)
     • Attach course syllabus
   • If necessary, submit supporting documents to ISP Advising at isp@ucsd.edu

Elective Course

1. Meet with ISP Advisor to obtain pre-approval for elective courses.  This initial review does not guarantee course credit.  Courses must have at least 50% international content and must be at least 4.0 UC upper-division units.
   • To use the course towards Disciplinary Focus Requirement the course must match the field of study of the disciplinary focus.  To use the course towards Interdisciplinary Elective Requirement, the course can be from any field of study.
2. Upon completion of the course:
   • Confirm that your grade is posted to your academic history
   • Complete an ISP Online Petition Form
     
     • Include the ISP requirement that you would like the course to apply to (Disciplinary Focus or Interdisciplinary Elective and Regional Requirement, if applicable)
     • Attach supportind documentation: course syllabus, course work, class notes, and assignments
   • Submit supporting documents to ISP Advising at isp@ucsd.edu

To use a UCDC courses towards ISP major requirements, you must submit the undergraduate student petition form and supporting documentation and/or research paper to ISP Advising before the Friday of Week 10 in your graduating quarter. If these documents are not submitted by this deadline, you will be required to take an alternative course to fulfill the requirements.

The UCCS program gives participating students three options for enrollment:

• Internship Credit: POLI 192A
  
  • Work as an intern for about 20 hours per week by supporting policy making processes in the Sacramento policy community.  Students will complete a public policy research paper as a part of this course.
    
  • Required; 5 units; Grading Method: Pass/No Pass
• Political Science 195. The California Policy Seminar
  • Learn about the state's political processes, institutions, and policy changes
  • Required; 4 units; Grading Method: Letter Grade
    
• Political Science 196E
  • Original undergraduate research work culminating in a poster presentation. Learn to utilize program like Qualitrics, GIS, Stata, and Excel to collect and analyze data.
  • 4 units; Grading Method: Letter Grade
• Political Science 193
  • Internship and three analutic papers related to the internship and/or current office events in addition to an oral presentation.
  • Optional; 2 units; Grading Method: Letter Grade
  • **Students may not use this course towards major requirements since it is not 4 units

ISP students may use two UCCS courses that are 4.0 units each towards ISP major requirements.

Steps to apply UCDC Program coursework towards your ISP major requirements:

Political Science Internship

1. To use the Internship credits towards an ISP Major Requirement:
   • Students are required to complete a minimum 4,500 word research paper
   • The paper must consist of at least 4,500 words with 1 inch margins, 12 point font and a bibliography containing multiple scholarly sources.  
     • Note: Word count excludes the bibliography, but includes footnotes, endnotes, and tables.
   • Research paper topic must be pre-approved – this initial review does not guarantee course credit.  The topic of research must have at least 50% international content.
     • International Studies defines a topic as international if the focus is outside of the United States.  A study of international populations within the United States borders is not considered international.  Please send a message in the VAC to ISP Advisors for clarification and topic pre-approval.
   • To use the course towards Disciplinary Focus Requirement :
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must match the field of study of the Disciplinary Focus and have at least 50% international content.
   • To use the course towards Interdisciplinary Elective Requirement:
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must have at least 50% international content but can be from any field of study.
   • To apply this course towards Regional Requirement:
     • To apply toward this requirement, the research paper must have at least 50% international content focused on particular region of study (Example: Africa, East Asia, Europe, etc.)
2. Upon completion of the course:
   • Confirm that your grade is posted to your academic history
   • Complete an ISP Online Petition Form
     • Include the ISP requirement that you would like the course to apply to (Disciplinary Focus or Interdisciplinary Elective and Regional Requirement, if applicable)
     • Attach research paper and course syllabus
   • Submit supporting documents to ISP Advising at isp@ucsd.edu

Elective Course

1. Meet with ISP Advisor to obtain pre-approval for elective courses.  This initial review does not guarantee course credit.  Courses must have at least 50% international content and must be at least 4.0 UC upper-division units.
   • To use the course towards Disciplinary Focus Requirement the course must match the field of study of the disciplinary focus.  To use the course towards Interdisciplinary Elective Requirement, the course can be from any field of study.
2. Upon completion of the course:
   • Confirm that your grade is posted to your academic history
   • Complete an ISP Online Petition Form
     
     • Include the ISP requirement that you would like the course to apply to (Disciplinary Focus or Interdisciplinary Elective and Regional Requirement, if applicable)
     • Attach supportind documentation: course syllabus, course work, class notes, and assignments
   • Submit supporting documents to ISP Advising at isp@ucsd.edu

To use a UCCS courses towards ISP major requirements, you must submit the undergraduate student petition form and supporting documentation and/or research paper to ISP Advising before the Friday of Week 10 in your graduating quarter. If these documents are not submitted by this deadline, you will be required to take an alternative course to fulfill the requirements.