International Relations major

International Relations: courses, careers, and where to study

International Relations studies how countries, institutions, and global actors interact through politics, law, and diplomacy, for students drawn to world affairs and policy.

International Relations examines how nations and global institutions cooperate, compete, and resolve conflict across borders. Students study the theories that explain why states behave as they do, analyze foreign policy decisions, and learn how treaties, international law, and organizations shape outcomes on issues like trade, security, human rights, and migration. Coursework pairs the comparative study of particular countries and regions with the practice of diplomacy and negotiation, and many programs encourage students to build reading proficiency in a foreign language. The field draws on political science but turns its lens outward toward the system of states rather than inward toward a single country's domestic government, and it leans more on history, economics, and language than the data-modeling focus of a quantitative policy or economics degree.

The major is typically offered as a bachelor's degree, often within a political science or government department, and it generally does not involve laboratory or clinical work; instead, hands-on learning comes through research seminars, model diplomacy simulations, study abroad, internships, and a senior thesis or capstone. There is no single license to practice the field. Graduates frequently pursue a master's degree to advance into analytical and specialist roles, and entry into government service often requires a competitive written examination and a security clearance. People with this background work in government agencies and foreign service, international and nongovernmental organizations, research institutes and think tanks, advocacy groups, multinational businesses, and journalism; any accreditation or credential expectations for a specific employer or graduate path should be verified directly.

In federal data for the closely related occupation of political scientists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $139,380 and projects employment to decline about 3.1% from 2024 to 2034; a master's degree is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.