The BA in International Relations is designed for students who want to change the world through careers in government service, nonprofits, business, think tanks, and consulting. The curriculum provides flexibility in allowing students to select international relations and comparative politics courses that will prepare them for their specific career and academic needs. Throughout the program students will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, quantitative analysis, and cultural awareness along with deeper knowledge of cross-cultural and international phenomena. These skills will prepare students for the workforce as well graduate study. Students have opportunities to apply these skills through internships and study abroad.

BA International Relations curriculum—36 credit hours

General Education Requirements
Majors must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. Political science courses may be used to satisfy the social sciences requirement. The foreign language requirement for the B.A. degree may be satisfied in any language.

Departmental Honors
The department awards honors to students having a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 in the major, an overall GPA of 3.2 (except in extraordinary circumstances), and successfully completed an honors thesis, project, or report.

Degree Requirements
All majors must complete at least 15 credit hours at the 3000 level or above.

PART A: Core Courses (15 credit hours):

  • POL SCI 1500 Introduction to Comparative Politics
  • POL SCI 1800 Introduction to International Politics
  • POL SCI 2800 International Relations Theories
  • POL SCI 3000 Political Analysis
  • POL SCI 4950 Senior Seminar in Political Science

PART B: International Relations Courses (12 credit hours)–Select 4 of the following courses:

  • POL SCI 1820 Global Issues
  • POL SCI 2820 US Foreign Policy
  • POL SCI 2900 Studies in Political Science (with consent of undergraduate advisor)
  • POL SCI 3830 International Political Economy
  • POL SCI 3850 International Organizations and Global Problem-Solving
  • POL SCI 3860 Political Violence
  • POL SCI 3880 Global Diasporas and International Relations in the 21st Century
  • POL SCI 3890 Studies in International Relations
  • POL SCI 3900 Special Readings (with consent of instructor and Undergraduate Advisor)
  • POL SCI 4810 Human Rights
  • POL SCI 4850 International Law

PART C: Comparative Politics Courses (9 credit hours)–Select 3 of the following courses:

  • POL SCI 2500 Comparing Different Worlds
  • POL SCI 2510 The Politics of the European Union
  • POL SCI 2540 Political Systems of Mexico, Central American, and the Caribbean
  • POL SCI 2580 African Politics
  • POL SCI 2590 Globalization: Prospects and Problems
  • POL SCI 3500 Politics of the Middle East

It is recommended that majors take POL SCI 1500 and POL SCI 1800 as early as possible since these courses are designed to provide a substantive foundation as well as conceptual and analytical tools for subsequent course work.

Majors are strongly encouraged to broaden their academic experience by including relevant curricular experiences including study abroad and electives in departments such as Language and Cultural Studies and Economics.

BA in IR Career Outlook
There is demand for employees who have a global understanding and incorporate a variety of perspectives to solve problems.  Graduates can work in government, think tanks, consulting firms, nonprofit organizations, and businesses.  Students will be also prepared for graduate school; and careers in foreign service.

Advising
For advising for the BA in International Relations, contact College of Arts and Sciences.