Policies

Grading Policies

All courses that count towards major unit requirements must be taken for a letter grade, and a minimum grade of C is required.
Foreign language units do not count towards the 75-unit minimum for the major and may be taken for a letter grade or CR/NC.
Up to two units of IR pre-approved or petitioned courses not offered for a letter grade may be applied toward IR specializations or filler coursework if completed for S grades.

External Credit Policies

Upon approval by the IR Faculty Director and University Registrar, a maximum of 15 non-Stanford units may be applied to the major for credit. Transfer courses must receive a B- or better to count toward degree requirements.

Additional Program Policies

A maximum of five units of Directed Reading may be counted toward major units.
All IR majors must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by completing two years of coursework (through the second year, third quarter) or passing a proficiency exam. Students should be aware that they might need at least 15 language units above the university minimum to complete the two-year IR language requirement. Foreign language units do not count towards the 75-unit minimum for the major and may be taken for a letter grade or CR/NC. For more information, please visit the IR website opens in a new tab.
All IR majors must complete one quarter of academic study overseas through Stanford’s Bing Overseas Studies Program (BOSP) or an approved non-Stanford program. Non-Stanford programs must be pre-approved by the IR office before the student enrolls. For more information, please visit the IR website opens in a new tab.