San Antonio College will offer a new degree and certificate program in International Studies beginning in the Fall 2002 semester. Students will be able to earn an Associate of Arts in International Studies or a 12-hour certificate as a concentration within another degree plan.

The associate of arts degree will require 63 college credit hours, while the 12-hour certificate includes a combination of courses in history, government, and a range of other disciplines to choose from.

The objective of the new program is to promote globally competent citizens. Students will learn how his or her actions have a global impact. They will have the ability to understand diverse cultural frames of reference and participate in the global marketplace. Students also will learn about ecomonic interdependency among nations and global environmental issues. The program will teach students how to access and evaluate global information.

The program recognizes that today’s job market requires employees who can successfully work in a globally interconnected and interdependent environment.

“San Antonio serves as an inland port with the NAFTA highway. More of the city’s economy is being tied to international business” said Dr. Jonathan Lee, Facilitator for International Curriculum Development. “The international trend in San Antonio is only getting bigger.”

The program will include a foreign languages component. Lee pointed out that the United States is the only country that does not require a foreign language for high school graduation. French, German, Japanese and Spanish are among the courses students may take for the SAC program.

“The Internet and the ability to communicate so quickly opens the market for companies to do business across the world,” said Lee. “Employers want people who can think and compete in a global environment.”

For more information, contact Lee at 733-2565.