The Program in International and Comparative Studies (PICS) seeks to be a focal point for the interdisciplinary study of issues that transcend borders. We encourage students and faculty to broaden their horizons while they deepen their knowledge of particular cultures and political, economic, and social contexts. We administer one of the fastest growing and largest undergraduate programs on campus in the form of both a major and minor as well as fellowship support for students.
The Center for International and Comparative Studies (CICS) was founded in 2005 to provide a home for international studies at Michigan, and to develop interdisciplinary initiatives and courses on themes of international significance that cut across geographic areas. CICS established the minor in international studies. The fast growing minor prompted CICS to develop an International Studies major, which was introduced in 2009.
CICS was renamed the Program in International and Comparative Studies (PICS) in 2013. This change reflected the overwhelming focus of our energies on the delivery of this program to undergraduate students.
International Studies among Top 7 most popular Majors at LSA
International Studies among Top 5 LSA programs with Bachelor Degrees Conferred.
Since 2007 PICS graduated 877 majors and 188 minors.
Bachelor Degrees Conferred in 2014: 239
International Studies Major Class of 2014:
Average Grade Point Average: 3.44
42% had 1 major
58% had 2 or more majors
31.1% had 1 or more minors
Overall 75.6% of the students with an IS major had either another major(s), a minor(s) or both.
Who studies IS Major:
75% Women
25% Men
Each year 75+ students study, intern, research abroad.
International Studies students study in: Ghana, Morocco, Tanzania, South Africa, Jordan, Japan, China, India, Turkey, Czech Republic, Russia, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Portugal, Peru, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic.
Top foreign languages of study: Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, German, Italian, Russian.
Where do International Studies Graduates Work:
Top Fields: Healthcare, Consulting, Education, International Affairs
Top Locations: Michigan, Illinois, Outside the U.S, Washington D.C.
International Studies Graduates Continuing Education:
Top Academic Level: Professional (MD, DO, JD, etc.), Masters
Top Program: Law
