Global Studies

Mount Mary University’s global studies program is designed to help you develop skills required to compete in an increasingly global society. The curriculum combines Spanish language courses and a study abroad experience with courses in business and the social sciences.

Bachelor’s Degree Options & Requirements

As an global studies major, you can create your own career path by studying one of two areas of concentration:

• Spanish: For this concentration, a minimum of 75 credits is required, including a study abroad experience. If you enter college in this major with four years of high school Spanish or four semesters of language at another college or university, you will not need to take SPA 101, 102, 203 and 204, thus reducing the required credits to 63 for this major.
• English as a Second Language: This concentration is available for international students studying at Mount Mary only. This concentration requires a minimum of 12 credits.

In addition to Spanish, you also could take language courses in German, French, Italian or American Sign Language.

To receive a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies degree, you also must complete the university’s core curriculum requirements.  Complete degree requirements and a listing of courses are available in the Undergraduate Bulletin (PDF).

Experience the World by Studying Abroad

All global studies majors are required to participate in an immersion experience of at least four weeks in a culture where another language is spoken.

Each year, study abroad programs are offered in about three different countries. Study abroad experiences occur for a semester, in the summer or during a school break.

Previous study locations include:

• Chile
• Costa Rica
• France
• Guatemala
• Italy
• Nicaragua
• Peru
• Spain

Global Studies Minor Requirements

An international studies minor is an excellent way for students in any major to add a global perspective to your degree and practice your chosen career abroad or with a U.S. agency. An international studies minor requires a minimum of 26 credits. For more details on requirements and courses for this minor, see the Undergraduate Bulletin (PDF).

Undergraduate & Post-baccalaureate Spanish Certificate Requirements

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete one of three Spanish certificates: bilingual education, Spanish for Professionals or Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers.

A pre-baccalaureate certificate in Spanish also is available for undergraduate or non-degree seeking students. Learn more about Spanish pre- and post-baccalaureate certificate requirements.

Faculty

The School of Arts and Sciences at Mount Mary is rich with talented faculty who care about their students.

Mount Mary University encourages global studies majors to participate in student clubs and organizations, such as the Alpha Mu Gamma honor society and the Global Student Club.

Alpha Mu Gamma Honor Society

Alpha Mu Gamma is the national collegiate honor society for foreign language students. Unlike other national language honor societies, Alpha Mu Gamma represents students studying all world languages. To qualify for membership in Mount Mary’s Alpha Omega chapter, you must hold an A or A/B average in at least two college-level courses in the same language and have an overall GPA of 3.0.

For more information on Alpha Mu Gamma, contact Mary Ellen Kohn-Buday, faculty adviser for the society.

GlobalStudent Club

This club welcomes international students and students from the United States. The club promotes understanding of languages and various cultures of the world. Activities include enrichment trips, social gatherings and orientation for new international students.

Contact Antje Streckel, staff adviser, at streckea@mtmary.edu for more information on joining this club.

Students Achieving Leadership through Spanish Activities (SALSA)

SALSA’s purpose is to serve as a support group for Latina and non-Latina students and to promote cross-cultural understanding of the Latino culture. Group members also take on leadership roles to coordinate field trips or raise fund for local Hispanic organizations.

Contact Maribel Rivera, staff adviser, at riveram@mtmary.edu for more information on joining this club.

An international studies major provides you with a global perspective and prepares you for careers in a variety of industries, including:

• Diplomatic service
• Government service
• Immigration services
• International business
• International law
• International marketing
• Translation/interpretation services
• Travel industry

Salaries vary greatly, depending on the industry you’re employed in and experience. For example, translators and interpreters earn a median annual salary of $43,300, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For students willing to relocate, salaries in government work at an American embassy abroad or in Washington, D.C., are even higher.

Mount Mary international studies graduates are working as multicultural college recruiters, multicultural psychotherapists and teachers (at Milwaukee Public Schools and teaching English abroad). Our graduates also are employed in the international banking and global health industries, as well as nonprofit cultural organizations such as the Alliance Française of Milwaukee.

Work Abroad During College

You can earn college credit (and sometimes pay) for completing an internship using your foreign language skills. Mount Mary students have completed internships abroad in Peru and Spain. If you’re interested in interning abroad, talk with your professors to learn how you can create the internship experience you desire.

If you prefer to stay closer to home, Mount Mary students have interned at schools in the Milwaukee area as translators/interpreters for Spanish-speaking parents. Students who have double majors in pre-nursing, dietetics or occupational therapy and international studies have interned at hospital and clinics and students with double majors in social work or art therapy and international studies have worked at social services agencies.