International Relations, Certificate
Prepare for careers in government, international organizations, nonprofits, multinational corporations, diplomacy, public policy and graduate study. Combine interdisciplinary coursework with hands-on research and internship experiences to build your readiness.
Quick facts
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Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
International Relations undergraduate certificate description
In the international relations certificate program, you develop a sophisticated understanding of how the world is deeply interconnected and why events happening in one part of the globe may have huge impacts on other regions. You learn about U.S. political institutions or global politics before progressing to advanced coursework on public policy, political leadership and political change. You examine core issues in international relations, including America's role in the world, violent conflict, diplomacy and trade, and how local identities interact with global trends to shape world affairs. You develop analytical and communication skills, and pursue hands-on research, including internships.
Why earn an international relations undergraduate certificate at ASU?
Study at ASU, the largest public research university in the U.S. and a global innovation leader with extensive global programs, research centers and campuses across Arizona, California and Washington, D.C. You learn alongside leading scholars and practitioners in international relations, diplomacy, security and political science.
This certificate invests in your professional growth through two semester-long diplomacy simulation courses, plus multiple global experience and internship opportunities.
Additional details
Get involved with Model United Nations at ASU, a student organization where members gather to discuss international affairs, research complex global issues and simulate the work of the United Nations.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 15 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
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The certificate in international relations requires 15 credit hours, of which 12 credit hours must be upper-division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be completed through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better may be applied toward the certificate requirements. |
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3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 3 |
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3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 3 |
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6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 6 |
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3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 3 |
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Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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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.
- Analyze key contemporary global issues.
Correctly apply one of the main theories of international relations, liberalism, to a global event or policy.Enrollment requirements
Incompatible majors: BA and BS in international relations
Requests to declare this certificate are reviewed by the academic advisor in the academic unit offering the certificate. Students may be contacted to discuss the certificate before it is added to their record.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
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 receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this international relations undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Graduates who have combined the certificate in international relations with their major program of study become more attractive to employers.
Graduates can identify global trends and address issues facing humanity. They have developed a deeper understanding of international policy while leveraging their critical thinking and communication skills, as well as their cross-cultural competencies. Their sector-spanning analytic skills are useful for careers in government, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, academia and journalism. Graduates pursue careers as foreign service officers, security analysts and policy analysts, and in other data-driven positions.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Politics and Global Studies
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COOR 6797
spgs-ugadvising@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.
