FAQ's
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Undergraduate Advising FAQs
- How do I declare ISCOR as my minor, major, or second major?
- Is ISCOR an “impacted” major?
- Is ISCOR a “tough” major?
- How do I know what my graduation requirements are?
- Do I need to declare a specialization in ISCOR?
- What are ISCOR’s rules about writing proficiency
and foreign language?
- May I take ISCOR courses for my “explorations” requirement?
- Will transfer units from another college or university apply
to my major or minor?
- Does ISCOR allow me to substitute prerequisite and major courses?
- Can I take upper division courses even though I have not finished
all lower division requirements for the major?
- Where can I obtain Study Abroad information?
- Will units earned on a Study Abroad or Foreign Exchange program
apply to the ISCOR major?
- Where can I obtain Internship information?
- May I do an internship while studying abroad?
- Where can I obtain Thesis information?
- What are University graduation requirements?
- What is a “Master Plan” and why do
I need one?
- How do I file for graduation?
- What can I do with a degree in ISCOR?
- Is the ISCOR major directly linked to the Homeland
Security Master’s Program?
- Questions?
How do I declare ISCOR as my minor, major, or second major?
Declaring the major or minor is simple. Stop by the ISCOR Office
(Nasatir Hall 116) or schedule an appointment by calling (619-594-3768)
or emailing (iscor@mail.sdsu.edu). The Advisor will provide a change
of major form that you will fill out together. It’s that
easy—no fees, deadlines, or hassles!
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Is ISCOR an “impacted” major?
No. Consequently, there are no minimum requirements to declare
the ISCOR major.
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Is ISCOR a “tough” major?
Yes. The major is intellectually challenging. There are considerable
writing demands in the major, as well as some special graduation
requirements (study abroad, foreign language, and internship
or thesis). The reason for these high standards is to ensure
the quality of the degree and the competitiveness and success
of our graduates.
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How do I know what my graduation requirements are?
The SDSU General Catalog annually lists all University and Major
requirements. Your transcript will indicate your catalog year.
Requirements are also summarized in the Program Information
section of the ISCOR web site. In addition, the ISCOR Advisor
has hard
copies of these summaries for the current catalog year.
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Do I need to declare a specialization in ISCOR?
Yes. You may choose from (1) Global Systems; (2) Cooperation,
Conflict, and Conflict Resolution; and (3) Environment and
Security. Each
of these specializations has a slightly different intellectual
emphasis and focus that is explained in the General Catalog.
The practical difference among the specializations involves
the list of Upper Division Electives from which the student
is allowed
to choose. The list of alternatives is different in each case.
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What are ISCOR’s rules about writing proficiency
and foreign language?
Writing proficiency is based on university requirements, which
are spelled out in the “graduation requirements” section
of the university catalog. A minimum competency (successfully completing
the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required
in one foreign language. It is strongly recommended that ISCOR
majors consider a minor or a second major in a foreign language.
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May I take ISCOR courses for my “explorations” requirement?
No. The University does not permit upper division courses to count
for more than one requirement. While lower division courses can “count
twice” to satisfy various requirements, upper division
courses can only count once. No “double-dipping” allowed!
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Will transfer units from another college or university apply to
my major or minor?
Transfer credit depends on comparability of courses, existing “articulation” agreements
between institutions, and quarter vs. semester hours. Generally,
you must wait until the SDSU transcript evaluators have determined
whether your coursework from other institutions will transfer (usually
during your first semester). You may, however, log on to http://www.assist.org (the
web-based clearinghouse for articulation agreements among California
institutions) to determine if agreements exist for the
courses and schools in question.
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Does ISCOR allow me to substitute prerequisite and major courses?
Yes and no. This is determined on a case-by-case basis. You should
consult with the Advisor for specific answers.
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Can I take upper division courses even though I have not finished
all lower division requirements for the major?
We do not recommend that freshmen or sophomores enroll in upper
division courses. If, however, you are nearing completion of
your lower division requirements and you feel confident enough
to take
on the challenge of more advanced coursework, you may proceed
with 300 or even 400 and 500 level coursework.
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Where can I obtain Study Abroad information?
SDSU is recognized as one of the premier international institutions
in the country. The Study Abroad Programs office is an excellent
place to start for information. You should consult their web
site first before going into the office, http://www.sdsu.edu/studyabroad.
In addition, there are always special programs offered through
the Office of Extended Studies. Professors offering special
programs will often give presentations to ISCOR classes. You
may also
take advantage of programs offered outside the University,
if approved by the ISCOR Advisor. Look around; do some of your
own
research to identify a program that will meet your specific
needs.
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Will units earned on a Study Abroad or Foreign Exchange program
apply to the ISCOR major?
Generally yes, if the units are earned while you are a declared
ISCOR major. Most programs require that you meet with the major
advisor for approval of planned coursework. Final approval of
units is done upon your return, however. You will need to make
arrangements
for an official transcript to be sent to SDSU, which will be
reviewed by international transcript evaluators.
Note that SDSU and ISCOR need not offer an exact equivalent course
in order to accept units from abroad, particularly at the upper
division level. When you take courses overseas for which no SDSU
equivalents exist, we can usually apply those units toward the
major, presuming you are able to support a petition with relevant
documents (for example, syllabus and/or catalog description). You
will need to meet with the Advisor to determine eligibility of
the course(s) in question. Under no circumstances will SDSU allow
more than 12 units of upper division coursework by transfer to
the major.
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Where can I obtain Internship information?
You may find an Internship almost anywhere. Remember to focus
on something that pertains to your emphasis in the major. Look
online;
talk to professors around campus; look at departmental office
doors (there are usually postings); get involved with the ISCOR
Student Society; talk with the Advisor. All of these sources
can be tapped to find an Internship that is appropriate and
to your liking. Remember, however, that you are expected to
work
150 hours with the group or organization and write a substantive
research paper at the end of the Internship. Thus, you will
need to work only for organizations that give you substantial
responsibilities
(no photocopying and getting coffee for the CEO here!).
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May I do an internship while studying abroad?
Yes. Many students choose to meet their Study Abroad requirement
and Internship requirement at the same time. This is perfectly
acceptable. To explore some opportunities for work abroad,
go to http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/isc/workabroad.htm.
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Where can I obtain Thesis information?
Students who decide to take ISCOR 497 must meet with the Advisor.
Usually, those who choose the Thesis option are planning to
go on to law school or an advanced graduate program. You will
be
expected to find a Thesis Advisor and write an extensive research
paper (35-40 pages). The goal of the Thesis is to allow ISCOR
students to engage in secondary and primary source research
and apply the critical thinking skills that they have learned
in
the classroom to their findings.
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What are University graduation requirements?
The Office of Advising and Evaluations provides general academic
advising for enrolled undergraduate students. Advisors in the
Academic Advising Center are available to help you understand
SDSU graduation requirements, including General Education requirements
and institutional policies and procedures. Consult your General
Catalog as well! It will answer most of your questions.
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What is a “Master Plan” and why do I need
one?
A Master Plan is a document that you and the ISCOR Advisor
complete for the Office of Advising and Evaluations before
you file for
graduation. This document confirms to the Office of Advising
and Evaluations that you have met the requirements for the
degree. It also allows for any special circumstances to be
addressed
before the formal graduation check so your graduation will
not be delayed. This form should be completed and turned in
during
the semester before one anticipates graduating. In other words,
if you plan to graduate in the Spring semester, the Master
Plan should be completed and turned in during the Fall semester.
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How do I file for graduation?
You file for graduation at the Office of Advising and Evaluations.
You must file for graduation (and pay the fee) in order to
graduate. This allows the Office of Advising and Evaluations
to audit your
transcript to make sure that you meet all of your University
and Program graduation requirements.
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What can I do with a degree in ISCOR?
Students are often interested in the types of careers they can
pursue as an ISCOR graduate. You should think of an ISCOR degree
as expanding your range of career opportunities. ISCOR students
have been accepted into a variety of careers in the public,
private, and non-profit sectors. For example, recent graduates
currently
work as a refugee resettlement worker, a mediator for the National
Conflict Resolution Center, an intelligence analyst for the
US government, an analyst for the US Department of State, a
staff
member for an environmental lobbying group, a pilot for the
US Air Force, a staff worker for the International Criminal
Court,
a law enforcement officer for Chula Vista, and a fundraiser
for a humanitarian organization providing medical supplies
in Russia.
The diversity of these career paths illustrates the strength of
the degree in ISCOR. Our graduates gain an interdisciplinary knowledge
of world affairs and the ability to apply this knowledge in the
real world. They are required to learn a foreign language, to conduct
independent and original research, to engage in critical thinking,
to study and live in other nations, and to gain work experience
in international affairs and conflict resolution in the public,
private, or non-profit sectors.
The ISCOR faculty will assist and advise students in their career
pursuits. In addition, SDSU’s Career Services Office provides
students with excellent career planning resources and information.
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Is the ISCOR major directly linked to the Homeland Security
Master’s
Program?
No. ISCOR is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program/major.
Homeland Security is a separate SDSU graduate interdisciplinary
Master’s Program. Many ISCOR students, however, have gone
on to apply for and study in the Homeland Security program once
they have graduated from ISCOR.
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Questions?
Contact the ISCOR Advisor in Nasatir Hall 116. Phone: 619-594-3768.
Email: iscor@mail.sdsu.edu.
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