What You Will Learn
If you are seeking to enter the world international affairs, diplomacy, world languages and cultures, teaching or research, the International Studies Program at CCM is for you! The mission of this Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree program mission is acquire the general education course work and global perspective needed to transfer to a similar program at a four-year college.
In addition to subjects such as communication, history, humanities, math, science and technology, you are required to take an international studies core that includes 12 credits of a modern language.
The international studies internship also gives you the integrate meaningful experiential learning into your major by working part-time for an approved agency, organization, or business with a global focus or need. Alternatively, a course can be used to complete a significant research project.
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 language such as American Sign Language, Arabic, French, Spanish, Italian or Japanese.
Careers in the Field
A degree in International Studies will prepare you for the following careers.
Associate Degree:
- International Business Development Associate
- Non Profit Administrative Assistants
- Program Coordinator
- Research Assistant
- Translator
Bachelor’s Degree:
- Archivist
- Diplomat
- International Affairs Specialist
- Teacher
Why Study International Studies at CCM
Small class sizes allow faculty and students to interact in a seminar-like environment that facilitates and enriches the classroom experience.
You will have the opportunity to study abroad in one of 17 countries through CCM’s membership in the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS). For more information about study abroad, contact the Arts and Humanities department.
Other credit and non-credit internship experiences, as well as job search support, are facilitated through our Office of Career and Transfer Services. You can also learn how to build a resume and receive the tools to help develop interviewing skills and succeed. See our Career Services page to learn more.
Where You Can Go
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.
Graduates with an A.A. in International Studies from CCM benefit from New Jersey’s Statewide Transfer Agreement. This means that the general education requirements will be waived at New Jersey public colleges and universities, allowing students to transfer in with junior standing. In addition, many out-of-state institutions also accept CCM credits. Therefore, CCM International Studies students frequently transfer to the following colleges and universities.
In State:
- Drew University
- Kean University
- Montclair State University
- Rutgers University – New Brunswick
- Seton Hall
- William Paterson University
- The College of New Jersey
Out of State:
- American University, DC
- Columbia University, NY
- CUNY City College, NY
- Florida Atlantic University, FL
- Arcadia University, PA
Visit our Transfer Services page to learn more.
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.
