Become an agent of positive change on the global issues that matter most.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies in the College of Letters & Science allows students to explore interactions between states, societies, and cultures and their outcomes. By bringing in both historical and contemporary material, the major provides students with the tools that they need in order to make sense of the world in which they live—as well as understanding how it got to be that way. Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in global studies will engage in thinking critically about how global change has (and can) come about during the course of their lifetimes.
Highlights
- Get involved with a student organization such as the Global Studies Student Association.
- Engage with global issues firsthand through study abroad.
- Complete a major paper or capstone project as part of an optional senior thesis.
Curriculum
The Global Studies major requires students to choose a concentration and a geographic region in which to become an expert. It connects this regional specialization to language training. Global Studies majors will choose one of three concentrations: (1) Global Development; (2) Global Peace and Conflict; or (3) Global Societies and Cultures. This will allow students to focus their studies on a specific aspect of the “global.”
At the same time, those pursuing this major will choose one of five regions (Asia, Africa, Europe/Russia, The Americas or the Middle East) in which to specialize, both in terms of content and language. Students will work with Global Studies faculty and advisors to devise a program that best captures their interests and allows them to reach their intellectual and professional potentials.
Learn more at globalstudies.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/major-global-studies
Study Options
In addition to the major, the Global Studies program offers:
- Minor program in Global Studies
- Human Rights Interdisciplinary minor
- Courses that fulfill L&S breadth requirements
- Freshman Seminars (GLOBAL 24)
Students may also wish to explore major or minor programs in Political Economy, as well as the minor in Global Poverty and Practice. If you already have an intended major, consider adding a double major or minor to enrich your studies.
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. You are eligible to declare the Global Studies major once you have met all of the following criteria:
- Completion of the Global Studies Major Declaration Form
- Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Completion of GLOBAL 10A or C10A with a grade of C or better
- Completion of any two of the additional lower division non-language requirements: GLOBAL 10B; GLOBAL 45; ECON 1 or 2; STAT 2, C8, 20, 21 or W21
The Global Studies major offers solid training in how to use acquired knowledge to become agents of positive change on the global issues that matter most to people here, and elsewhere around the world. Graduates develop key skills in research, economics, analysis, foreign societies and cultures, and pursue careers in foreign affairs, diplomacy, translation, business, and law, as well as various graduate programs.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Global Studies. The Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program helps prepare students for internships and the job market. The College of Letters & Science offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Digital Communications Coordinator
- Financial Analyst
- Language and Cultural Assistant
- Leadership and Empowerment Director
- Market Research Analyst
- Marketing Coordinator
- Operations Associate
- Paralegal
- Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
- Program Officer
- Project Manager
- Regional Sales Manager
- Researcher
- Scientist
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- East Asian Studies
- Environmental Justice
- Global Governance
- Global Studies
- Human Rights
- Latin American Studies
- Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies
- Sustainable Development
Christina, class of 2025
Christina Rogness graduated with a BA in Global Studies with a concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies and regional focus on Africa.
Christina transferred from her community college in Folsom to UC Berkeley, becoming part of the Marketing Committee for the Art & Mind Club on campus along with the graphic design team for the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal. She also worked at the International House. Christina aspires to move to New York City and work for the United Nations in the field of human rights, particularly aiding victims of sex trafficking, which was the topic of her senior thesis.
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and the L&S New Freshmen Student Guide.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Global Studies major and major handbook.
- Enroll in lower division requirements such as GLOBAL 10A + 10B; begin language study for your region of specialization (if known).
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization such as the Global Studies Student Association.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Attend a Global Studies event.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with language and lower division courses; enroll in a methods course such as GLOBAL 102.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Look into study abroad; see guidelines from the department and options in Global Studies.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Global Poverty and Practice or Human Rights.
- Complete lower division requirements and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend a world affairs event hosted by the Commonwealth Club.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Apply for a FLAS award, Boren Scholarship, or Critical Language Scholarship to support your language study.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; see the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Work on upper division requirements (concentration, disciplinary, critical thinking/methodology, and geographic focus courses).
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the Global Studies Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Global Studies Peer Advisor.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Look into the IIS Undergraduate Fellows Program.
- Enter a team for the Schuman Challenge in foreign affairs.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options such as Peace Corps and US Department of State.
- Join a professional association such as the International Studies Association.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Consider doing a senior thesis (major paper or capstone project) if not doing the honors program.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; look into the Pickering, Rangel, and Gaither Fellowships in foreign affairs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like GLOBAL 10A or 10B.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Apply to Rangel Scholars or a US Department of State internship.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Journalism and Global Public Health.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and the L&S New Transfer Student Guide.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans; decide on your concentration and geographic focus.
- Enroll in lower division requirements (if needed) and language courses; begin upper division coursework if possible.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Complete lower division requirements and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization such as the Global Studies Student Association.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Attend a Global Studies event.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Apply to the Social Sciences Career Readiness Internship Program.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Work on upper division requirements and language courses; enroll in a methodology course such as GLOBAL 102.
- Look into study abroad; see guidelines from the department and options in Global Studies.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as Global Poverty and Practice or Human Rights.
- Consider applying to the Global Studies Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend a world affairs event hosted by the Commonwealth Club.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Enter a team for the Schuman Challenge in foreign affairs.
- Apply for a FLAS award, Boren Scholarship, or Critical Language Scholarship to support your language study.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options such as Peace Corps and US Department of State.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with upper division requirements.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus through UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Global Studies Peer Advisor or Transfer Peer Advocate.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Look into the IIS Undergraduate Fellows Program.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the International Studies Association.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; look into the Pickering, Rangel, and Gaither Fellowships in foreign affairs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Consider doing a senior thesis (major paper or capstone project) if not doing the honors program.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course like GLOBAL 10A or 10B.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Apply to Rangel Scholars or a US Department of State internship.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Journalism and Global Public Health.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Global Studies or choosing a major? Connect with advising services:
The Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Program offers undergraduate advising for the Global Studies major and minor, as well as the Human Rights Interdisciplinary minor program. The Global Studies Advisor is available for program guidance, major declaration, and other major-related inquiries. For more information, visit globalstudies.berkeley.edu or email global_polecon@berkeley.edu.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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