Program Requirements

Each International Plan major at Georgia Tech has integrated international studies, language acquisition, and overseas experience into the traditional Bachelor of Science degree in a way that works best for that specific discipline. To earn the designator, students must:

  • Develop proficiency in a language other than English
  • Complete a minimum of 26 weeks of coherent international experience
  • Complete three globally-oriented courses, plus a capstone in their major
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 upon entrance to and completion of the program

The IP is highly customizable. See how other students have chosen to fulfill requirements on the Value of the IP page!

 

Click here for a self-audit checklist for completing the IP.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be undergraduate degree-seeking Tech students in one of the participating majors.
  • Students must submit an application via the International Plan Web site. Notification of acceptance will be communicated via e-mail.
  • Have a 2.7 GPA (no GPA requirement for first-semester freshmen). A 2.7 GPA is required to earn the IP designation when you graduate.

Coherence*

​The IP is designed to give students a deep understanding of another culture so that they develop strong intercultural skills that will help them function effectively in a global environment. Coherence, as defined by the International Plan... (click here for more details*)

Language Requirements & Optional Language Distinction*

All International Plan participants must show proficiency in a language other than English through the 2002-level. Students can demonstrate proficiency by:

  • Completing coursework through the 2002 level
  • Taking a placement test through the School of Modern Languages
  • Showing previous credit, such as credit by an Advanced Placement (AP) exam.

Students who want to go beyond the basic IP requirement, develop deeper language proficiency, and obtain national certification may choose to pursue the IP Language Distinction option (see Designations section).

Only one language can be chosen for the purposes of the IP. The chosen language should align with the language of at least one country where a student plans to fulfill the 26 week abroad requirement. The exception to that policy is if a student fulfills the international experience requirement in a country whose national language is English. In that case, the student may choose any non-English language. Any other variance will require approval from the IP faculty representative and the IP Committee. For complete details on how to fulfill the language requirement and the proficiency certification & designator option, visit the language requirements page*.

Globally-Focused Coursework 

Included in the Georgia Tech Catalog, International Plan students must complete a core set of courses that address international issues and transcend the student's major. It is advised that these courses be taken prior to or while abroad but not after the twenty-six week international experience. The courses must be credit bearing and be taken for a letter grade.  AP credit cannot count toward this requirement. Courses include:

  • One course focused on international relations historically and theoretically.
  • One course that provides a historical and theoretical understanding of the global economy.
  • One course that provides familiarity with an area of the world or a country that allows them to make systematic comparisons with their own society and culture. This course should be directly relevant (coherent) to the international context of the overseas experience.
  • An IP capstone course that allows IP students to integrate their International Plan experiences into their discipline.

A list of courses approved to fulfill the areas noted above is available in the Georgia Tech Catalog. Taking the globally-oriented courses should not add time to earning a Georgia Tech degree with proper planning. IP students should choose courses from the IP-approved list to fulfill their major's social sciences, humanities, and/or electives requirements, thereby completing their major's requirements and IP requirements simultaneously. AP credit may not be used to fulfill these course requirements. If a student feels that a course could potentially count towards the globally-focused course requirements, they may use the petition/appeal process* to request an exception.

International Experiences

IP students must complete a minimum of 26 weeks of active engagement abroad (studying, working, and/or researching) on Georgia Tech-approved international programs or internships. The 26 weeks must be completed within two academic terms. One term must be a semester, and the other term can be either a semester or summer. The terms abroad do not have to be done in the same year, but they must be coherent. 

All international plans are subject to approval by the major IP faculty representative, the International Plan Manager, and, when applicable, a Global Internship Advisor and/or the IP faculty representative of School of Modern Languages. Students wishing for their international experiences to count toward the IP requirement must complete and submit the International Experiences Approval Form* prior to departing for their term(s) abroad.

Students wishing to complete the international experience requirements with a non-Georgia Tech sponsored program may do so with the approval of the IP faculty committee. To request approval, complete and submit the International Plan Petitions Form.

Need help planning coherent IP International Experiences? 

Registration requirement while abroad

Students must be registered at Georgia Tech during their terms abroad, including for work and research terms. If unsure of how to register, you can contact the program leader of your program, the OIE advisor who oversees the program, or the an OIE advisor who works with GRIP. If you have questions about using a non-GT program for the IP or are not sure if you want to count an experience for the IP, please contact the IP Manager. 

Summer programs

  • Only one summer program may count toward the IP's international experience requirement. Note that a summer program plus a semester abroad may not add up to twenty-six weeks, so check with your abroad advisor on the length of the programs.

  • Bridges/Extensions: Students may choose to follow a summer faculty-led study abroad (FLSA) experience with a fall semester program (e.g. exchange or internship). If a time lapse between two consecutive terms occurs, students may request permission to "bridge" the two terms with appropriate structured time (generally consisting of an independent research project overseen by a GT faculty member) in the same host country or linguistic region. Bridges may only be created in conjunction with FLSA programs, are available at the discretion of the FLSA program director, and must be approved by the student's IP faculty representative. Students should plan far in advance if they desire to do a bridge and speak with the program director/coordinator of the FLSA program.

Capstone Course

The purpose of a degree-long International Plan is to provide students the opportunity to study, experience, and reflect on international issues throughout their undergraduate studies. The capstone course integrates the unique perspective that students have gained from their international experiences back into their major. The IP capstone is generally the same senior design or senior seminar course required for the major, but with the chance to bring international skills and knowledge into the project.  Approved capstone courses are listed on the GT Course Catalog, and students are encouraged to talk to their IP Faculty Representative for details about the specific capstone requirements for their major.

 

Graduation & Designations

As you get ready to petition to graduate, be sure to also complete an an IP Degree Designation form. Upon successfully completing the requirements for the undergraduate degree in your major and the IP requirements, your diploma and transcript will read one of the following, depending on which language option you pursue:

Bachelor of Science [major]

International Plan

or

Bachelor of Science [major]

International Plan, Language Proficiency*

("Language Proficiency" on transcript only)

 

When you complete the requirements for the undergraduate degree in your major and the IP requirements, the significance of your international preparation in your chosen field will be more apparent to future employers.