The Jackson School offers bachelor, master and doctoral degrees. Undergraduates choose from six majors — Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Comparative Religion, Jewish Studies, or Global and Regional Studies — and 17 minors. The curriculum is interdisciplinary and focuses on area studies, international policy issues and skill-based learning. Classes are taught by UW faculty and practitioners from both public and private sectors. Study abroad is strongly encouraged.
A highlight of the Global and Regional Studies major is Task Force, a capstone seminar which requires students to investigate a current global policy issue, write an analysis and make recommendations to external evaluators with expertise on the issue. Other capstones include Advanced Readings, a seminar which includes reading and writing about major texts, and Calderwood Seminars in Public Writing, which has a greater emphasis on editing and workshopping writing for a public audience. Select undergraduate and graduate students also join our Global Research Groups, bringing actionable insights to private and public sector organizations for their strategic and operational objectives.
We offer 10 programs that lead to a master’s degree. The International Studies program has the broadest focus and is often pursued concurrently with professional degree programs in business administration, marine affairs, forest resources, public affairs, law, or public health. Students with at least five years of professional experience may apply to a 10-month or two-year part-time Executive Master in International Studies.
The PhD in International Studies trains scholars and practitioners with deep knowledge of areas in the context of contemporary global themes, policy challenges and real-world problems. Our PhD allows for a three-year program of completion.
The Office of Career Services connects students to internships, an alumni-student mentor program and job opportunities throughout the year. Although not all alumni pursue international careers, many have a global aspect in their jobs, in public, private and nongovernmental sectors.
Our Academic Programs
undergraduate majors, minors and/or graduate studies
- African Studies
- Arctic Studies
- China Studies
- Comparative Islamic Studies
- Comparative Religion Studies
- European Studies
- Global and Regional Studies
- Hellenic Studies
- Human Rights (tri-campus minor)
- Japan Studies
- Jewish Studies
- Korea Studies
- Latin American & Caribbean Studies
- Middle East Studies
- Portuguese Language & Luso-Brazilian Studies
- Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies
- South Asian Studies
- Southeast Asian Studies
Students
Autumn 2022
- 340 Undergraduate majors
- 70 Undergraduate minors
- 103 Graduate Students
Degrees Awarded
Sept. 2021 - Aug. 2022
- 165 Bachelor of Arts
- 39 Master of Arts
- 7 PhD
Major Student Awards
since 2015
- David L. Boren Fellowship
- Carnegie Junior Fellowship
- Charles B. Rangel Fellowship
- Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
- Fulbright Research Fellowship
- Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- German Development Institute Visiting Researcher
- Harry Frank Guggenheim Emerging Scholar Award
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation Doctoral Fellowship
- Inter-American Foundation Grassroots Development Field Research Fellowship
- National Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Experience Fellowship
- Social Science Research Council Mellon International Dissertation Research Fellowship
- UW College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Medalist
- UW College of Arts and Science Graduate Medalist
- UW Mary Gates Research Award
- UW HUSKY 100 List
- UW Bonderman Travel Fellowship
- U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship
- Yenching Academy Award
