¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä the IAFS Major
The International Affairs (IAFS) major is an interdisciplinary program designed for students who want to understand and engage with the complex forces shaping our world. Students begin by exploring foundational global issues in IAFS 1000: Global Issues and International Affairs, then build depth through upper-division coursework across four Functional Areas. Along the way, they develop tangible, career-ready skills through Economics and Research Methods courses that strengthen analytical thinking and evidence-based problem solving.
IAFS majors also complete a Geographic Concentration focused on a region outside the United States, gaining proficiency in a related World Language while studying the region’s history, literature, culture, and politics. Through an Off-Campus Experience (OCE) - such as study abroad or an internship - students apply their learning in real-world contexts. The major culminates in the IAFS Senior Seminar, where students integrate their knowledge in a capstone project that prepares them for careers or graduate study in international fields.
Key Guidelines
- The IAFS Major requires a minimum of 49–51 credit hours of specified courses and ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder requires 120+ credits to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (BA).
- Review specific applicable IAFS Major Requirements by clicking the links below or the images at the bottom of the page.
- Requirements for students who Declared IAFS as their major in Fall 2023 or Later
- Requirements for students who Declared IAFS as their major Before Fall 2023
- Visit the Functional Area, Geographic Concentration, Off-Campus Experience, or World Language Proficiency pages to learn more about each requirement.
- Each course may only be used to fulfill one requirement.
- All major courses must be completed with a C- or better. Pass/Fail grading is not permitted for major requirements.
- Full major requirements are available in the .
- Have questions? Reach out to your IAFS Advisor.
Planning Your Courses
- For a list of courses that count toward IAFS requirements each semester, review the or reach out to your IAFS Advisor.
- To view sample syllabi, visit our Syllabi Page.
- Review the to see suggested course sequencing.
Transfer Credit & Course Substitutions
- Use to see if a course has already been reviewed for ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder credit (over 140,000 courses listed). Instructions for creating an account can be found on the .
- The College of Arts & Sciences Transfer Credit Evaluation page provides information on course pre-approvals and major-specific transfer credit.
- In rare cases, IAFS may approve a substitution for a Functional Area or Geographic Concentration course offered at ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder. These individual exceptions must be appropriate for the major and approved by the end of the semester the course is taken. To request a substitution, contact your IAFS advisor.
