What You Will Learn
Are you looking to gain a better global perspective and potentially a career in world languages and cultures, diplomacy or international affairs? How about using a foreign language in your profession or conducting research for a global industry? Pursuing a degree in International Studies may be the pathway for you, and CCM can help you get there!
The mission of the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in International Studies at CCM is to provide you with the understanding of both conflict and cooperation at a global level and learn a foreign language. Plus, completion of this foundational coursework minimizes the complexity of the transfer process to earn a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university. The addition of a study abroad component, in one of 23 countries, enhances your college experience at CCM!
Curriculum
Our International Studies program includes a 15-credit core with one course in Intercultural Communications course and completion of four courses, one each semester, of a modern language. Currently, the languages to study at CCM include American Sign Language, Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese. Chinese, German, and Russian are offered based on enrollment and student interest.
Careers in the Field
An associate degree in international studies is a great starting point for global careers to serve as one of the following:
- Archivist
- Business Development Associate
- Diplomat
- International Affairs Specialist
- Program Coordinator
- Research Assistant
- Teacher
- Translator
After graduating, students have also obtained employment in areas related to their major.
- Program Coordinator at Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
- Research Assistant at Ramapo College
- Translator in the New Jersey Court System
Why Study International Studies at CCM
- Enrolling in the International Studies Program gives you the opportunity to study abroad to enhance your course work.
- You’ll benefit from small class sizes that enable faculty and students to interact in a seminar-like environment, enriching your experience in the classroom experience.
- CCM, through its membership in the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS), offers students the opportunity to study in one of 23 countries. For more information about study abroad, contact the Languages and ESL Department.
- Become proficient in a language by fulfilling the four-semester foreign language requirement.
- Meet like-minded students on the diverse CCM campus and choose from over 50 clubs to join!
Seamless Transfer Process
The International Studies Program has articulation agreements with:
- Ramapo College
- West Virginia University
These agreements facilitate a smooth transfer from CCM to Ramapo or West Virginia’s International Studies Program. The agreement with West Virginia also permits students to transfer to its Slavic and Eastern European Studies Program.
CCM students have successfully transferred to a number of other colleges and universities, including:
- CUNY – The City University of New York
- Drew University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Montclair State University
- Rutgers University
- Seton Hall University
- The College of New Jersey
- University of Florida
- University of Washington – Seattle
Paying for Your International Studies Education
Earning an associate degree in International Studies is a powerful investment that will pay off over the course of your life, in both increased earnings and job satisfaction. But what is the upfront cost, and how do you afford it?
There’s good news: Money is available to help you pay for school! Our Financial Aid staff can provide lots of information about the process of finding funds to help pay for your education.
Featured Courses
Intercultural Communication
This course explores the theory and practice of communication between individuals or groups from different cultures. Topics include a basic theoretical foundation in culture and communication, cultural values, worldview, verbal/nonverbal communication, cultural identity and intercultural competence.
Cultural Geography
The study of the interaction of contemporary cultures and their physical environment. This course examines processes of globalization and their impact on national and local level social processes. Emphasis is placed on the global capitalist economy and its relation to national economies, political systems, populations, environments and religions.
American Sign Language I
This course is an introduction to the expressive and receptive skills required for communication in American Sign Language (ASL). Through active class use of basic vocabulary, grammar and syntax, students will begin exploration of deaf culture and begin to learn the language of that culture. This course is not intended for students with more than one year of previous study of this language at the high school level.
Your International Studies Faculty Advisor
Nadir Kaddour Assistant Department Chairperson, Professor
Email: nkaddour@ccm.edu
Office: EMERITI 114 (EH114)
Office hours: MONDAYS 3:15P-4:15P / WEDNESDAYS 4:20P-5:20P
Phone: 973-328-5406
Specialization: English for Speakers of Other Languages and French
Department: Art and Humanities
James Hart Department Chairperson, Coordinator of ESL & International Studies & Study Abroad
Email: jhart@ccm.edu
Office: Emeriti Hall 120A
Office hours: MONDAYS 2:00P-3:00P / TUESDAYS 5:00P-6:00P / WEDNESDAYS 10:00A-11:00A
Phone: 973-328-2486
Specialization: Spanish, Intercultural Communications & English as a second Language
Department: Art and Humanities
