Additional Requirements:
Two years university-level language training or equivalent (see below)
Courses in economics, world history, and U.S. history are also recommended.
A minimum of one-half the courses in the major field must be completed at Dominican.
Language Requirement
Students whose first language is not English, and who have completed their secondary school education in a non-English-speaking country, may select English as the language component. In this case, they must take 15 hours of English beyond ENGL 102 , selected in consultation with the student advisor and the English department. The 15 hours must include ENGL 190 . Language competency in languages that are not offered at Dominican may be accepted for the language requirement in consultation with the department advisor. This is generally approved if the student verifies academic training at accredited institutions or third-party objective testing in the language at the appropriate level of competency. The department, in consultation with language experts, is the final arbiter on language competency for purposes of degree completion.
Foreign language competency is essential for a successful career in international relations and diplomacy and graduate studies. It is strongly recommended that students pursue a chosen language beyond the minimum requirement set by the department. In addition, it is highly suggested that more than one additional language be pursued. If a student is a native speaker of a language other than English, it is highly recommended that the student pursue a third language to fulfill the language degree requirement. It is also strongly recommended that the student study abroad and/or complete an internship with the Department of State or some other international agency in Washington, DC. The field of international relations and diplomacy is extremely competitive and advantages need to be accumulated early and often.
