Core Courses
All students will take the introductory course GS 5013 – Contemporary Issues and a graduate-level research course, unless otherwise approved by the Director of Academic Programs. Additionally, each focus area is anchored by an introductory course, which all students will take as a part of their core courses, giving them an overview of each focus area. Candidates for the master’s degree must also demonstrate proficiency in a second language and complete an international experience (preferably a minimum of 3-weeks in a non-Western country).
The core is made up of a foundation course in each of the four focus areas. The core courses provide students with a broader understanding of theory, history, world politics and culture. The program allows for international experiences through internships, work on global research projects, and interaction with a diverse mix of students and faculty.
Graduate-Level Research Course Requirement
All students are normally required to complete a course in research design and method. This requirement may be adjusted or waived at the discretion of the Director of Academic Programs depending upon the background of an individual student. The course GS 5133 - Research and Design Methods in Global Studies is preferred for this requirement, however, the courses below may be accepted.
| Prefix | Course Name |
| ENGL 4893 | Research Writing for International Graduate Students |
| REMS 5013 | Research Design & Methodology |
| SOC 5273 | Qualitative Research Methods |
| STAT 5013 | Statistics for Experimenters I |
| POLS 5103 | Research Design |
| SCFD 5913 | Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry |
Second Language Requirement
The second language requirement was designed to ensure that all students who graduate from the School of Global Studies Graduate Program have been exposed to an international culture other than their own through the language of that culture.
To fulfill the second language requirement, native speakers of English must have accomplished one of the following:
- Complete six semester hours of a second language or three semester hours of intermediate or advanced modern second language courses with a minimum grade of C.
- Obtain an Intermediate level rating on the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI). For more information on the OPI, see the website at actfl.org.
- Complete an approved Language Immersion Program.
This requirement must be completed prior to graduation from the School of Global Studies Graduate Program. Language courses may be completed at OSU or outside institutions during your time in the program. We also accept previous coursework in a second language but may ask for proof of completion.
No waivers of the second language requirement will be permitted, and the six hours of language courses cannot be counted toward the 33 hours necessary to complete the master’s degree.
International Experience Requirement
Students from the U.S. must have an international experience to qualify for the master's in Global Studies. The time outside the U.S. must be a minimum of three weeks, involve a structured program of coursework or internship, and have occurred during the student’s undergraduate or graduate programs. Due to the great variety of opportunities, the experience must be approved by the SGSP Coordinator of Academic Programs.
Capstone Experience Requirement
All students must complete a Capstone Experience. There are two routes: thesis or non-thesis. Depending on which route the student selects, the number of focus area courses will vary from 9-12 hours chosen from a list that are offered by departments across campus. A thesis option will require students to abide by criteria set by the Graduate College and work closely with committee members to produce a scholarly body of research. A non-thesis option can take two forms, an internship or a creative component. All non-thesis options must be approved by the SGSP Coordinator of Academic Programs.
Required Responsible Conduct of Research Training
In addition, the Graduate College requires all graduate students complete the Responsible Conduct of Research training their first semester at OSU. Training materials encourage students to think critically and to engage in discussions about what it means to be an ethical researcher. Conducting research ethically requires an understanding and appreciation of the ethical imperatives behind the rules.
English Proficiency Requirement
The School of Global Studies does not have English proficiency requirements beyond those required by the OSU Graduate College.