About Global Studies

Our mission is to give students the critical, interdisciplinary foundation needed to imagine more just and flourishing futures for these individuals, institutions and communities, locally and globally. Students critically examine and engage pressing global conditions while at the same time questioning concepts like “the global”, particularly in relation to knowledge production, power, and perspective. We aim to prepare the next generation of citizen-leaders to act with insight, empathy, and purpose to better understand and engage fruitfully in these global systems.

The Global Studies Program at the University of Virginia’s School of Arts & Sciences is a competitive, interdisciplinary undergraduate major designed to help students understand and critically engage with complex global systems. As a pan‑University initiative, the program brings together faculty and coursework from across disciplines to examine social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental issues that transcend national boundaries. Students are encouraged to question how global knowledge is produced and to connect global dynamics with local communities and lived experiences, preparing them to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

Students in Global Studies select from five concentrations, including Global Commerce in Culture & Society, Global Development Studies, Global Environments & Sustainability, Global Public Health, and Global Security & Justice, allowing them to tailor the major to their academic and professional interests. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning through applied research methods, capstone seminars, and opportunities for study abroad or community‑engaged coursework. With its focus on critical inquiry, ethical perspectives, and real‑world application, the UVA Global Studies program prepares graduates for careers and further study in fields ranging from public service and policy to health, sustainability, education, and international organizations.