Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in International Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is a multi-disciplinary program that prepares students to be leaders in an increasingly interdependent global community. This multi-disciplinary major teaches us to critically examine world affairs and pursue advanced degrees and/or careers in international law, diplomacy, politics, and business. The program also prepares for careers with governmental and non-governmental organizations whose work addresses human rights, economic development, conflict resolution, the plight of refugees, and other pressing global needs.

Our students can complete 4 years of university studies on our campus to obtain the title of Bachelor of Arts in International Studies or opt to complete the last two years of their degree at Endicott College in Boston (our sister campus), or at any other American college or university in the world.

The American University System

CIS University

CIS University offers programs that combine the best features of the American higher education model, where students become active participants in their personal and professional growth while earning their degrees.

Known for its entrepreneurial spirit, the American system offers flexibility and encourages student engagement and individuality. The result is an active learning process where students’ work and participation are used as measurements of success.

In 1995, CIS University (Madrid) and Endicott College (Boston, MA) formed a partnership to offer students more educational and professional opportunities to expand their horizons. Both institutions entered into an affiliation agreement whereby CIS University students receive Endicott College credits.

Accreditation

CIS University Madrid, Spain) is authorized by the Community of Madrid as a foreign university in Spain (BOCM number 81, April 6th, 1998, and BOCM number 134, June, 7th, 2019).

Endicott College (Massachusetts, USA) is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE).

CIS University , an American University in Madrid, was founded in 1981. It is in the very heart of Madrid in one of the loveliest parts of the city. Our building is easily accessible and in an extremely safe area. We take great pride in offering students an American higher education, especially characterized by the practical methodological approach.

CIS University is an uncommonly tight-knit learning community, which is often described as “like a big family.” Administrators and professors do everything they can to ensure that our students are comfortable as we guide them through what will ultimately be one of the biggest events of their lives in an exceedingly international setting — in many cases in a foreign country. Every member of our staff and faculty at CIS University has lived or studied abroad, so we understand the needs of our non-Spanish students who make Madrid their temporary home, as well as the needs of our Spanish students who will ultimately finish up their bachelor’s degree elsewhere.

American System Advantages

The American Higher Education System has been implemented around the world with some of the best, and most successful models on the planet.

The principal advantages of the “American System” are as follows:

• Lower risk of academic failure. Since young people seldom know with 100% certainty what they want to be doing ten years from now, students are not required to be locked into an area of study, in some cases, as early as their sophomore year of high school. Students are not even required to definitively choose upon beginning college. Students are encouraged to choose a focus or major, but certainly not penalized should they change their mind during the first two years of their studies, which mostly involve general education requirements that are nearly universal for all degree programs. By year three, students are required to decide, but then again, students in year three are typically in a better position to make such a determination.
• It is very easy to change degree programs because the general courses that are required in all majors offered at CIS University remain consistent whether a student is studying business or journalism. Likewise, should a student change from business to journalism, the business courses satisfy the free electives included in general coursework. This truly is the most flexible system in the world, and we believe young students need time and freedom to discover who they are instead of being academically locked into something they could one day regret and resent.
• The credit system is consistent among American Colleges and Universities around the world, so transferring is also relatively simple.
• Students organize and design their course schedules under the supervision and guidance of our experienced deans.
• It is based more on the practical application of concepts than theory. We profoundly believe that students learn better by actually doing what they are studying than they do by simply attempting to memorize data. The data is important, but there needs to be a less abstract way of thinking about it to make sure the information is truly learned.
• There are weekly assignments, so studying is done daily as opposed to cramming at the end of the semester for exams. Developing study skills in such a way tends to become a lifelong asset.
• Continuous evaluation favors consistency and encourages students to do their best even if they perform worse than expected on an exam or project since they have a multitude of opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and ability.
• Students are motivated by many short-term goals, as well as by being largely responsible for their study schedule and workload.

Academic Partner: Endicott College

Since 1995, CIS University has worked closely with our academic partner, Endicott College in Boston (MA). A partnership that allows students enrolled at CIS University to receive Endicott College credits.

Upon completion of their first two years at CIS University, students have the opportunity to complete their last two years with us or apply for a transfer to Endicott College (our sister Campus), or to any American university in the world.

Accreditation

In 1995, CIS University and Endicott College entered into an affiliation agreement whereby CIS University students receive Endicott College credits, which can be transferred to any US college or university.

Endicott College (Massachusetts, USA) is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE).

CIS University is authorized by the Community of Madrid as a foreign university in Spain (BOCM number 81, April 6th, 1998, and BOCM number 134, June, 7th, 2019).