Spring introduces students to new interdisciplinary minor

A new undergraduate minor at Mizzou aims to inform students about human migration — a force that has shaped human history since our ancestors first looked beyond the horizon.  

Launching in fall 2026, the Migration Studies minor will provide an interdisciplinary perspective of human migration, with a focus on its cultural, social, and historical factors. It will prepare students to engage with topics such as diaspora communities, transnationalism, and the cultural impact of migration.  

Students interested in pursuing the minor can preview the program and start earning credits ahead of its launch. “Introduction to Migration Studies,” one of the minor’s two core courses, will be offered in spring 2026 as LG_LT_CT 2005-01: Undergraduate Topics in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. The course will examine how movement, displacement, and belonging are represented in literature, visual arts, music and other media.  

In addition to coursework, hands-on learning experiences — such as internships, research, and work with professionals in the field — will expose students to migration narratives, global cultures, and shared human experiences.  

Earning a minor in Migration Studies will equip students for careers in international law, diplomacy, public policy, corporate social responsibility, global business, and human rights advocacy. This minor also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in areas like international relations, migration law, and public administration.  

The Undergraduate Minor in Migration Studies is a program of the Interdisciplinary Migration Studies Institute. The institute connects scholars, students, and community members who seek to understand and engage productively with migration and displacement.