International Relations, BA
Build skills in policy analysis, research design and professional writing that ready you for careers in government, diplomacy and public policy. You'll analyze global conflicts, institutions and organizations by applying international relations theory to state and non-state actors as you turn your passion for change into global impact.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
International Relations degree description
In a globalized world with increasing political, economic, demographic and climatic challenges, studies in international relations are all the more prized by the public and private sectors.
In the Bachelor of Arts program in international relations, you develop analytic skill sets and mastery of forward-thinking content areas through rigorous curriculum, distinct internships and research opportunities. You learn about national security, cybersecurity, AI and governance, intelligence, conflict processes, diplomacy, international trade, and both international organizations and countries across the globe.
Why study international relations at ASU?
You'll study at one of the largest public research universities in the U.S., a global innovation leader with campuses across Arizona, Los Angeles and Washington, DC, plus wide-ranging global programs and research centers. Here you learn from leading scholars and practitioners working in international relations, diplomacy, security and political science.
This degree also invests in your professional growth through two, semester-long diplomacy simulation courses and a required global experience, internship or professional development course.
Additional details
Take your learning beyond the classroom with Model United Nations at ASU, a student organization where you research complex global issues, debate international affairs, and simulate the workings of the United Nations.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| POS 160 Global Politics |
| SGS 101 Thinking Globally |
| INR 205 Perspectives on International Relations |
| POS 301 Empirical Political Inquiry |
| INR 484 Internship |
| POS 348 Do You Want to Build a Nation? |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Correctly apply one of the main theories of international relations, liberalism, to a global event or policy.
- Write about topics of international relations using clear and concise language.
- Apply social science research methods in research design.
Correctly apply one of the main theories of international relations, liberalism, to a global event or policy.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Faculty expertise and international networks of public, private and nonprofit partnerships provide international relations students with distinct and impactful internships and research opportunities at home, in Washington, D.C., and abroad. With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, international relations students can tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analyst | 34.6% | $120,230 | Learn more |
| Climate Change Analyst | 6.1% | $82,220 | Learn more |
| Intelligence Officer | 0.2% | $93,790 | Learn more |
| Lawyer | 4.7% | $159,670 | Learn more |
| Military Officer | Not available | Not available | Learn more |
| Operations Research Analyst | 11.9% | $88,940 | Learn more |
| Political Science Professor | 2.5% | $98,070 | Learn more |
| Public Relations Manager (PR Manager) | 5.7% | $146,910 | Learn more |
| Regulatory Affairs Manager | 4.9% | $141,900 | Learn more |
| Statistician | 11.0% | $105,650 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this international relations degree prepares you for
International relations graduates leverage their critical thinking and communication skills, cross-cultural competencies and valuable practical knowledge to pursue careers as foreign service officers, security analysts and policy analysts, and in other data-driven roles. Specifically, their sector-spanning analytic skills are useful for successful careers in many areas, including:
- foreign service
- journalism
- judicial administration
- law
- political analysis
- political consulting
- politics
- public relations
Program graduates are prepared for positions in the following types of settings:
- the courts
- foreign service organizations
- international agencies and organizations
- legislative staff organizations
- lobbying and advocacy groups
- local, national and global nonprofit organizations
- local and national media organizations
- multinational corporations
- national, state and local government agencies
- research institutions
In addition, graduates are well positioned to attend top-tier graduate, law and professional schools in public policy, diplomacy and leadership, political science, data analytics and global trade.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Politics and Global Studies
|
COOR 6797
spgs@asu.edu
480-965-8563
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
