International and Global Studies: Regional Studies

A major in Regional Studies provides students with both a global perspective and an in-depth understanding of a geographic region of the world. Our majors develop their expertise in a world region by creating a course of study with the help of an advisor. Students can choose to focus on Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East for their major or earn a certificate in one of these geographic areas.

• Africa: Students will become aware of global disparities and the challenges facing the African continent, including unequal development, environmental degradation, and inequity in access to democratic rights, and how social movements are confronting these challenges.
• Asia: Students will develop a deep understanding of the cultures and politics of East, South, and Southeast Asia and the rapid transformations taking place in the region. 
• Europe: Students will gain an understanding of the range of diverse historical, political, economic, and cultural experiences and values that shape European identity and become able to critically evaluate various consequences of Europe's interaction with the rest of the world as well as sources of tensions that are causing political upheavals in Europe.
• Latin America: Students will gain insight into the histories, languages, and diverse societies of Latin America, including indigenous peoples and experiences and, will demonstrate an understanding of how legacies of colonialism, imperialism, and capitalist development have produced Modern Latin America.
• Middle East: Students will draw upon multiple perspectives to analyze the diverse historical, political, economic, linguistic, and cultural experiences and values that exist in the Middle East and understand the legacy of colonialism and imperialism within the region and how it continues to shape conflicts, crises, and social issues.

Learning Outcomes

Submit Your Application and $60 Application Fee

Go to Portland State University's online application system and select Create Account. If you have already started an application, or created one for a past term, select Log In.

Submit Academic Records

You are required to submit complete academic records. We accept high school transcripts, grades and other relevant academic records along with your graduation certificate, diploma or exam results or certificates. If you have taken any college or university classes, submit transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. You can submit unofficial transcripts from non-U.S. institutions for review of your application and to receive an admission decision. Official transcripts are required for enrollment, see our official records policy for details.

Electronic Submission: Transcripts may be submitted via Parchment or sent directly from a school official to [email protected].

In Person Submission: You can bring these directly to our office upon arrival to Portland State.

Mail Submission: Submit official transcripts in their original sealed envelopes from all schools attended and mail them to PSU at the address below.

Portland State University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
PO Box 751
Portland OR 97207-0751

Submit Evidence of English Language Proficiency

Request official test results to be sent directly to Portland State University by ETS (TOEFL), PTE, or IELTS. Students who meet the academic requirements for admission to PSU, but have not yet met English proficiency requirements, will be admitted to PSU and placed into one of our ESL programs. Review PSU’s English Language Proficiency Requirements for more details.

• TOEFL Code: 4610, department code 00
• SAT Code: 4610

Check Your Application Status

If you have submitted an application to Portland State University, you can log in to PSU's application portal to review the status of your application. You will be notified via email for each document you submit and your admission decision.

If you are not receiving email communications from Portland State University, be sure to check your @pdx.edu email account. Once you set up your student account all communications will be sent to that email address. If you are not receiving information from us in any email inboxes, please contact us at [email protected].