The International Studies degrees at Texas State are inter-disciplinary programs that are tailored to give you essential experiences, transferable skills, and a well-rounded foundation to be competitive on the global stage. Multiple studies show that employers highly value the top skills gained in an international studies and liberal arts education, across career fields. We have almost 10,000 graduates who are working in fields and countries around the world.
Graduate Program
Thesis-Track
Thesis-track students must take 30 hours with 6 hours in a thesis in one of the following subjects: Geography, History, Mass Communication, Political Science, Sociology, or Spanish
Non-Thesis Track
Non-thesis students must take 36 hours, including a 3-hour internship in a field related to the students' intended career goals and international studies. These students will take a comprehensive exam in their final semester.
Comprehensive Exam
Students are required to take a written and oral comprehensive exam in their last semester of the program. Students must pass the comprehensive exam during the last semester in at most two attempts. For Thesis-Track students, the comprehensive exam will be their Thesis and Thesis Defense.
Thesis Defense
Requirements for the thesis writing and thesis defense.
Non-Thesis Comprehensive Exam
Requirements for the non-thesis track comprehensive exam
Deadlines
Both the Thesis Defense and Comprehensive Exam have very firm deadlines. Make sure you're familiar with the deadlines in your intended last semester.