International Affairs Dual Major

The international affairs (IA) dual major can complement and add a global dimension to any other major at UNH. The completion of the dual major requires no additional credits for graduation beyond the 128 required of all UNH students. All coursework required for international affairs must be completed with a grade of C or better. For more information, contact the international affairs senior program assistant.

Students who wish to declare the international affairs dual major must earn a C or better in IA 401, have declared a primary major, and have a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average. Students are expected to maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average, the minimum required for study abroad at UNH.

Note:
Participation in the international affairs dual major and minor is open to ALL students at UNH.  For instance, the Department of Civil Engineering has developed a dual-major program in civil engineering and international affairs. Students do not need to have pre-existing skills in a foreign language before coming to UNH. For more information about the civil engineering/IA program, contact Ray Cook at ray.cook@unh.edu.

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International Affairs Language Requirement
IA majors must demonstrate functional reading, writing, and speaking ability equivalent to a second-year, second-semester college level (504). Students may take placement tests to establish proficiency. Native second language speakers are exempt from this requirement - speak to an IA advisor. Language study may be pursued at UNH; through study abroad in the summer, J-term, or academic year; or through transfer credits from other institutions with the permission of an IA advisor.

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International Experience - Study Abroad
Minimum of eight weeks. The IA international experience is typically conducted in a country or region that uses the student’s second language. Students may pursue their international experience elsewhere after consultation with an IA advisor.

The international experience (typically completed in the junior year) is completed before taking IA 701 in the senior year. Students may spend an academic year, semester, or summer in an academic institution, in an internship with a private or public organization, or in purposeful travel/research. Students must meet with the Study Abroad Advisors at the Global Education Center to plan their international experience, typically a year in advance of study abroad.

Electives (three total)

IA Dual Majors take three electives, one course from each category list: Politics, Culture, and History and from Science, Environment, Economy and Health. IA dual majors choose their 3^rd elective from either list.

IA electives are offered across the university and may be used to fulfill Discovery, Honors Program and/or other minor requirements. Up to 8 credits may be double counted between your primary major and IA. Additional courses taken in the primary major may count for IA if these courses do not count toward your primary major requirements. Electives may be taken at UNH, on the international experience, or transferred from another university with the permission of your IA advisor.

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Check with IA Program Assistant

• Demonstrate intermediate level proficiency in a foreign language;
• Apply different disciplinary approaches to the study of international affairs, including key themes and theoretical frameworks employed in these disciplines;
• Use critical thinking skills to analyze and discuss important global issues;
• Engage with cultural diversity and complexity through the international experience;
• Demonstrate familiarity with different types of data and sources and their appropriate use in analyzing selected topics in international affairs;
• Demonstrate competence in research design. Students will develop inquiry-based research questions, conduct a literature review, employ appropriate methods and data collection, and interpret their findings accurately.