International Studies

Faculty:
Stebbins - Director
Webster Hall 337A • 417-659-4442

Mission

It is the goal of Missouri Southern State University that all academic programs be enhanced through an emphasis on international education. To that end, the University has identified five goals:

Graduates will have an understanding of how cultures and societies around the world are formed, sustained and evolve.
Graduates will have empathy for the values and perspectives of cultures other than their own and an awareness of international and multicultural influences in their own lives.
Graduates can identify and discuss international issues and cultures other than their own.
Graduates have communicative competence in a second or third language.
Graduates have experienced or desire to experience a culture other than their own.

Several activities have been designed and implemented to help make these goals possible. They include encouraging and supporting faculty to lead student groups abroad; providing grants for faculty to internationalize the curriculum; developing bilateral exchange agreements with universities in other countries; developing “themed” semesters featuring special course offerings, lectures and cultural events of a particular country or continent; increasing the number of foreign language course sections and course offerings; and offering Performing Aid Awards for students majoring or minoring in a foreign language.

The Institute of International Studies (IIS)is committed, through its leadership, in assisting global education to become more pervasive throughout the curriculum and extracurricular activities of the University.

Finally, the Institute is committed to continual assessment of international programs and its mission to ensure that students develop not only an awareness of international problems but specific competencies needed in business, industry, government, education and other professional areas.

Study Abroad Programs

(Semester and Year-Long Opportunities)

Missouri Southern students have many exciting opportunities to study for a semester or year in other countries. The University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), through which MSSU students can study and earn credit at some 330 colleges and universities in 50 countries around the world. In addition, students may choose to participate in the Bilateral Exchange Program. The University has negotiated a number of departmental bilateral agreements with international institutions; these exchanges are usually specific to a student’s major. For semester or year-long exchanges, MSSU students studying abroad through most ISEP or Bilateral Exchange Programs pay regular MSSU tuition and similar room/board charges.

To participate in a long-term study abroad program, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 (higher for some host institutions); be degree seeking and enrolled full time; intend to return to MSSU to graduate; and generally have completed 60 credit hours by the time of the exchange.

More information on study abroad programs is available on the Institute of International Studies website: http://www.mssu.edu/international-studies/

International Studies Major

The International Studies major has been replaced with the Internatonal & Politcal Affairs major, which includes multiple areas of emphasis, effective fall 2018. Students who are interested in international studies and studying another language are advised to major in IPA with an emphasis in Global Cultural Studies. furthermore, it is recommended that those students pursue a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language .

For additional information contact:
Dr. Chad Stebbins, Director
Institute of International Studies
Webster Hall 337A
417-625-9736
stebbins-c@mssu.edu

Programs

Major Programs (Undergraduate)

Courses

International Studies