Is a triple major in International Relations, Economics, and Arabic possible? I’d need ~9 classes for IR (I can double count some with Economics & Arabic), 10 classes for Econ (plus a couple math classes), and 9 classes for Arabic (plus Elementary Arabic I & II in my Freshman year). I also am required to take a semester off for James Madison to get an internship. Is it feasible to finish 3 majors in 7 semesters? If I take 5 classes for most semesters? I’d also need to take two courses, each a year long, for JMC in my freshman year.
It is feasible, if you plan from the get go. I can’t comment about how Arabic works (or any language for that matter), but it is possible. But, you will be looking at 18+ credits per semester and you may need to take a course or two during the summer months (local CC may suffice) depending on how many credits you transfer in.
To put this into perspective, I am double majoring Economics and Finance, and I transferred in nearly 30 credits to MSU, and while I will be able to pull off both majors within 4 years, I am doing so by taking on average 18 credits per semester.
That said, the business college requires about a semesters worth of credits more than James Madison. So again, it is feasible, but it requires shroud scheduling on your part, and no electives.
Perhaps a minor in economics would work.
It would, but I personally think out of those three degrees, Economics is the most valuable and marketable in terms of post graduation opportunities. Granted, I am an Economics major, but out of those three majors, it is arguably the one to pursue.
A minor in Arabic would probably work out better. If you really want to pursue a degree in Arabic, there is a minor called “Political Economy” which is administered by James Madison which is very attainable if you are an Economics major, which you could substitute for the International Relations degree.
Ultimately, it depends on what you want to do after graduating. Want to work for the UN? Minor in Econ works fine. Want to work on Wall Street/Fed? Definitely get the Econ degree. It really depends on what you want to.
I have 4 majors to pick out of JMC, and IR is one of them. So I can’t switch that out unless I want to do another of the 3 majors. The problem with Arabic is that I am not sure I could be very proficient with the language with just a minor. A major would probably be more valuable. I hope to work for the government, or the UN. All 3 of these subject areas would be valuable, but I might not be able to do 3 majors.
You can do three majors, just know that it takes more than just taking 15 credits per semester if you want to graduate within four years.
Based on your career ambitions, a minor in Economics may be enough. What you can do is take the IR, Arabic, and lower-level Econ courses that you need for your minor, see where you stand and make a decision at that point.
That might be the way to go. I can talk with my adviser this summer too.