School of Interdisciplinary Studies

global studies banner with a lot of colors

Global Studies

Explore cultures, politics and issues from around the world while building skills in research, communication and critical thinking. Experience a bold, multidisciplinary path for curious minds ready to think on a global scale.

Students currently enrolled in the Global Studies major, as well as those entering in Fall 2026, will earn a BA in Global Studies. Beginning in Fall 2027, new students will pursue Global Studies as a concentration within the Interdisciplinary Studies major.

PLEASE NOTE: Students applying for Fall 2027, the plan of study for the Interdisciplinary Studies BA concentration is still being finalized, but it is expected to closely resemble the current Global Studies plan of study, which provides a helpful preview of the curriculum. 

The Global Studies Program offers Purdue undergraduates a flexible, yet intellectually rigorous interdisciplinary education focused on the pressing issues of our interconnected world. Our students don't just study globalization, they learn how to engage with it critically and ethically, and are empowered to shape its outcomes.

Drawing on the strengths of faculty from across the College of Liberal Arts, the program brings together a range of disciplinary perspectives to prepare students for meaningful careers in education, business, government, international development, and beyond. Many Global Studies students combine majors across STEM and the liberal arts, excelling through their creativity, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to understanding global complexity.

Students shape their degrees and research projects around their own interests, supported by opportunities for study abroad, internships, and faculty-mentored research. In their final year, seniors present their capstone projects at the Purdue Undergraduate Research Conference, demonstrating their ability to conduct independent inquiry, communicate across disciplines, and respond thoughtfully to global challenges.

Where will you go with your Global Studies Degree?

At Global Studies we ask that question a bit differently. We say: In today’s world which workplaces do not need people with global awareness?

And the answer, you guessed right, is: none!

This is why Global Studies students go on to work for a wide range of workplaces from the business world to the non-profit one, from diplomatic service to the Peace Corp.

There is something, however, that unites them in their all their diverse professions: They all have a stake in the welfare of our world.

Some of possible careers for Global Studies graduates include:

  • Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy
  • Think Tanks
  • Non-profit and Human Services
  • Academic jobs
  • Teaching K-12D
  • International Financial Institutions
  • United Nations
  • World Health Organization

Beyond the Classroom

New in 2026- Global Engineering Track for GEARE students added. Check out the plan of study to see what courses, and experiences count to earn a degree in Engineering and a degree in Global Studies at the same time with DegreePlus!

  • BOILERS GO TO D.C - Live, Learn, and Intern in D.C.-We are happy to partner with Brian Lamb School of Communication | Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement to offer opportunities for Boilermakers in D.C!
    • D.C. FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
      • The D.C. Fellowship Program offers financial awards to students for summer internships in Washington, D.C. with the Boilers Go to D.C. Summer Scholars Internship Program.
      • This prestigious fellowship award up to $5,000 is offered by The School of Interdisciplinary Studies- Any student majoring in a program within the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and interested in the D.C Fellowship Program is eligible and encouraged to apply.  
    • SUMMER SCHOLARS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
      • Purdue students from all majors are invited to apply for the Boilers Go to D.C. Summer Scholars Internship Program. During this program, students find and secure their internships in public, private, or nonprofit sectors, gaining hands-on experience from a real-world professional environment in our nation’s capital.
    • BOILERS GO TO D.C MAYMESTER
      • Boilers Go to D.C. (BGDC) is an experiential learning program to study up close the historic interconnections of political communication, government, news media, non-profits, and other influential organizations. During this immersive program, participants meet and interact with Washington decision-makers and communicators and visit historic sites that changed the course of our nation.
  • International Experience- a required part of the plan of study, offering students an enriching opportunity to gain international experience and broaden their global perspective by studying abroad or obtaining an international internship. 

Director of Global Studies | Elena Coda