International relations degree overview

Students of international relations learn about international politics and institutions and the principles of diplomacy and foreign policy. They examine interactions between governments on several levels: political, economic, cultural, and militaristic. In the current U.S. political climate, they may deliberate questions like: How has the Donald Trump presidency affected the world view of the United States? How have allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election impacted diplomatic and trade relations between the United States and Russia?

Through lectures, debates, discussions, the writing of essays, and guest speaker presentations, degree programs in international relations focus on the art of diplomacy and negotiation between countries. Here are some sample courses:

• International Relations Theory
• International Organizations (examples: the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization)
• International Law
• International Political Economy (the interaction between politics and economics within a global context)
• United States Foreign Policy
• The Politics of the Middle East
• The Politics of Africa
• The Politics of Latin America
• The Politics of Europe and the European Union
• Global Human Rights Issues
• Global Environmental Issues
• Diplomacy

Associate Degree in International Relations - Two Year Duration
While most positions in international relations call for at least a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree in the field can prepare students for some secondarily related jobs in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors, such as tour guide or flight attendant. At this level of education, students typically take introductory classes in world geography, comparative government, economics, political science, and global affairs.

Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations - Four Year Duration
Holders of a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations generally qualify for entry-level and some mid-level positions, such as Peace Corps officer, human rights advocate, and Foreign Service officer.

Students pursuing a bachelor’s in the field may choose to concentrate their studies in one or more of several specializations: comparative politics, European studies, Middle Eastern studies, or comparative cultures. Here are some samples of courses offered in international relations bachelor’s programs:

• Law and Democracies
• Industrialized Societies
• Developing Nations
• Terrorism
• Economic Ethics
• Russian Foreign Policy

Area Studies
Students usually focus on a specific area or region of the world and study its histories, politics, economics, languages, and cultures.

Economics
Programs in economics teach students how the global economy works and prepare them to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world issues.

Ethnic Studies
This is the historical, social, and cultural study of minorities in the United States. Through coursework in history, political science, economics, sociology, literature, and art history, students examine race, racism, and forms of institutionalized violence.

Geography
Students of geography study the Earth’s surface; its climate, soil, and water; and the relationship between people and the land. Some typical courses in a geography program are cartography, climatology, geology, political geography, statistics, and spatial analysis.

History
This degree field is focused on the study and interpretation of events, objects, and written documents of the past. A typical curriculum may include courses in Ancient Greek history, U.S. economic history, and pre-colonial African history.

As its name implies, a degree in international relations is concerned with teaching students how to relate internationally, that is how to understand and work with a diversity of cultures within a diversity of political and social systems. It is not surprising, therefore, that graduates in this field come away from their studies with a particularly transferable set of skills:

• Communication – knowing how to convey information to different kinds of audiences
• A Multidisciplinary Approach – understanding that perspectives on issues may vary from country to country, region to region, and individual to individual
• Flexibility and Negotiation Skills – open-mindedness that will secure the most desirable outcomes
• Collaboration – capacity to work with many parties: government officials, business and organization leaders, and diplomats
• Critical Thinking and Creativity – the ability to think critically leads to successful analysis, creativity, and ultimately to solutions
• Cross-Cultural Appreciation – appreciation for different political values and cultural expectations facilitates negotiation and collaboration
• Foreign Language Skills – the ability to communicate in one or more foreign languages is always valuable

Foreign Service
Potential U.S. Foreign Service roles for international relations graduates include consular officers, economic officers, management officers, political officers, and public diplomacy officers. An ambassadorship is the highest level of diplomatic/foreign service.

Business
It is not uncommon for international relations majors to end up working in the business world. Many sectors – banking, marketing, advertising, communications, public relations, and human resources – appreciate the level of understanding of topics like economics, conflict resolution, and cultural diversity that international relations graduates bring to the table.

Education
While true ‘international relations’ is generally taught only at the college and university level, graduates in the field may find positions teaching history, social studies, or civics courses at the elementary and secondary school levels. Depending on the school system, teacher certification may also be required.

Government / Politics
Government officials and legislators work at various levels of government to pass laws. They can face a vast variety of issues and problems. And while it is difficult to imagine the best way to prepare for such a job, a degree in international relations provides a solid foundation in the fundamental skills needed.

Intelligence
Intelligence specialists work for the various branches of the military, national security departments, and national government agencies. They collect and analyze intelligence data such as mission reports, maps, and charts.