Montana University System New Academic Program Proposal Summary

 

Campus: Montana State University-Billings

Item Number: 122-2703-R0104

 

Program Title: Minor in International StudiesDate: October 9, 2003

1. How does this program advance the campus academic mission and fit priorities?

The Minor in International Studies provides a means for MSU-B to adapt its academic program to respond to fundamental global trends transforming society. The minor enables MSU-B to better fulfill its academic mission to prepare students for careers that increasingly require effective international cooperation and communication. It achieves this in a cost-effective manner by primarily integrating existing curriculum and international study opportunities into a coherent program that can accompany any academic major.

 

2. How does the program fit the Board of Regents' goals and objectives?

In keeping with the Board's vision to "prepare students for success," the Minor in International Studies offers students a balanced program of study to develop the international skills, knowledge, and experience required in today's world. It will contribute to fulfilling the Board's goal for the Montana University System to be responsive to market, employment and economic development needs of the State and Nation, and its specific objective to offer programs and services consistent with the changing market and employment needs of the State and Nation. Without a doubt, one of the most fundamental changes affecting these needs is the development of a global economy. Higher education institutions must adapt their programs and services to this fundamental new economic reality. The Minor in International Studies accomplishes this by providing students with a course of studies aimed at providing the basic skills and knowledge demanded by an increasingly interconnected world.

 

3. How does this program support or advance Montana's needs and interests?

Montana is part of the global economy with good potential for a better economic position in the future. Currently Montana trades with the outside world, from billiard tables to timber and meat, and has had long-term relationships with both Japan and Mexico, and a newly established relationship with Cuba. Additionally, much of Montana's agricultural production makes its way to foreign markets, and thousands of international tourists visit the state each year. Montana's future well being will largely be determined by its ability to respond to global needs and trends, and the skills of its businesses and workforce to work effectively in the global marketplace. This is a particular challenge for Montana, since its young people do not have the same exposure to other countries and cultures as those of many other states, so special attention must be given to developing their international skills and knowledge.

 

4. How will this program contribute to economic development in Montana? (Note projected annual economic impact both regionally and statewide.)

The International Studies Minor will contribute to the economic development of Montana by preparing MSU-B graduates to work more effectively in the global economy. If Montana is to succeed in the borderless economy of the 21st Century, Montanans must have the skills and knowledge needed to work effectively in a multinational environment. They need to be able to understand international markets, do business with people from around the world, speak other languages, and communicate effectively in cross-cultural settings.

 

5. What is the Program's planned capacity?

Break-even point? N/A FTE students

Enrollments/year? 10-20

Graduates/year? 5-10 Completion of Minor

MT jobs/year? N/A The Minor makes students more marketable and thus more competitive. The Minor complements any major.

 

6. Resource Allocation:

Total program budget? Marketing

Faculty FTE? 0 Uses existing courses/faculty and fills excess capacity.

Staff FTE? N/A for Minor

 

Does this program require new resources? Amount? Marketing. Otherwise, draws existing curricular resources together into a defined program.

How will the campus fund the program? Excess capacity in existing courses and existing Marketing Budget.

 

If internal reallocation is necessary, name the sources. N/A