Global Studies

Major Requirements

What classes do I need for the Global Studies major?

You can find information about requirements for the Global Studies major on the Major Worksheet, available on "Requirements" tab.

How do I get into the Global Studies major?

• Complete all non-language preparation courses, and one modern foreign language equivalent to UCLA level 3. Remaining language courses may be completed while you have major standing.
• All preparation courses for the major must be taken for a letter grade.
• The UC GPA for all preps must be a minimum of 3.25. (transfer students typically won't have a UC CPA)
• The minimum grade for Global Studies 1 is a B.
• Apply to the Global Studies major during the fall of your junior year, at the latest. Prep courses toward the major must be completed by the end of the fall quarter you apply (that is, they can still be in progress when applying to the major).

What are the GPA requirements to enter the major?

The Global Studies major requires a minimum GPA of  3.25 for the preparation courses.  The minimum grade for Global Studies 1 is a B. There is no minimum grade requirement for the other prep courses as long as you get above an 'F' and the overall prep GPA is above a 3.25

What does the application Statement of Interest entail?

There are many ways to answer this question but the best answers will be specific and personal and will give us a clear account of whether your interests align with the courses you will be taking as a Global Studies major, ways in which you can make a global impact, what you hope to gain from and contribute to while at UCLA, and who you are as a person. Please refrain from discussing future career goals—we want to know how the Global Studies curriculum (courses, study abroad, etc) will help you make the best of your time while here at UCLA. Please write one cohesive paragraph and be careful to proof-read for errors in spelling, grammar, and usage. Essays longer than 300 words will not be read.

You may use the questions below as reference when crafting your statement, but don’t worry if you can’t cover more than one in your short statement. 

• What personal experiences—within and/or outside of school--have inspired you to pursue this major?
• What is one issue related to globalization that you hope to learn more about through the Global Studies major? and why you are interested in it? Be specific.
• If doing honors or independent research, do you have a preliminary globalization-related idea/topic/question for your Global Studies senior thesis?

Please visit our website to learn more about the major, the required and elective courses and learn about the difference between Global Studies and other majors. Additionally, reflect you may want to reflect on what you've learned from Global Studies 1 and connect it to your personal experience. This will help in writing a more thoughtful and meaningful statement.

What are the ways in which I can fulfill the language requirement?

You can fulfill the language requirement by:

• Taking a UCLA equivalent course of 2 years of any modern language OR
• Taking a language placement test (if offered) at UCLA’s appropriate language departments (requirement can be fulfilled in part on in total by the test) OR
• Having attended High School with primary instruction in a non-English language (subject to approval)
• See more under our Language Requirement Tab

Can I minor in Global Studies?

Yes. The Global Studies minor does not require an application. As soon as you have completed the preps for the major, with a minimum prep GPA of 2.0, contact our office and ask to be declared a Global Studies minor.

Can I get a Minor in addition to my Global Studies major?

Sure, we encourage students to consider minoring in minors of interest that fall under International and Area Studies, such as Southeast Asian Studies, South Asian Studies, or African and Middle Eastern Studies.

Which themes does the Global Studies cover?

Global Studies covers three thematic pillars of globalization:

1. Culture & Society
2. Governance & Conflict
3. Markets

Both the major and the minor require courses based upon these thematic pillars in order to complete the preps as well as the full major and minor.

Can I use courses for Global Studies and another major or minor?

The maximum upper division courses that can count for the Global Studies major and another major is five, per the College’s rule. The maximum for the Global Studies minor with and other major or minor is two. It should be noted that different departments may have different overlap restrictions, so between Global Studies and the other major or minor, the department with fewer allowed overlaps is the restriction that is enforced.

Can I double major in Global Studies and another major?

The College's rule is that no more than 20 upper division units may be common to both majors.   Courses used for preparation requirements are not counted in this overlap. 

In order to double major, you first need to have taken all the preparation courses for both majors plus two upper division courses in each major. For additional information please visit the College of Letters and Science Website.

What are the GPA requirements once I’m a declared major?

Note that the Global Studies major requires a minimum GPA of 2.00 for all upper division courses combined for the major, not a particular grade in any one course.