International Relations
Major & Minor
Bachelor of Arts
As an international relations major, you will explore the great issues of politics in a rapidly changing, global environment. You will explore different approaches to the study of politics, employing historical, comparative, philosophical, legal, and experiential approaches to discipline. The department places heavy emphasis on student mastery of factual information, critical thinking skills, and effective writing and speaking skills, ensuring that you are prepared for careers in professional fields as law, policy research, teaching, journalism, management, and government service.
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International Relations Degree
Program Highlights
![Students learning in Washinton, DC]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1719981812/austincollegeedu/xlslegluqek3eaitrt27/WashingtonSemester.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1719981812/austincollegeedu/xlslegluqek3eaitrt27/WashingtonSemester.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1719981812/austincollegeedu/xlslegluqek3eaitrt27/WashingtonSemester.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1719981812/austincollegeedu/xlslegluqek3eaitrt27/WashingtonSemester.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1719981812/austincollegeedu/xlslegluqek3eaitrt27/WashingtonSemester.png","width":1439}])
The Washington Semester Program allows students to spend a semester taking coursework at American University, completing a research project, and engaging in an intensive internship experience in Washington D.C.
![Model UN]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715915719/austincollegeedu/hzdpm19r4fzuunht2zhz/ModelUN.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1715915719/austincollegeedu/hzdpm19r4fzuunht2zhz/ModelUN.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1715915719/austincollegeedu/hzdpm19r4fzuunht2zhz/ModelUN.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1715915719/austincollegeedu/hzdpm19r4fzuunht2zhz/ModelUN.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1715915719/austincollegeedu/hzdpm19r4fzuunht2zhz/ModelUN.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1715915719/austincollegeedu/hzdpm19r4fzuunht2zhz/ModelUN.jpg","width":2200}])
Model UN conferences are actual simulations of the workings of the United Nations, with delegates assuming the positions currently pending among the countries they represent. Over the past 20 years, Austin College students have earned ...
![Scholarships for Political Science and International Relations students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1716571935/austincollegeedu/fzvls6xv1ymstgfiif4m/AC_Wynne_ChapelAustinCollege-cropped1x1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1716571935/austincollegeedu/fzvls6xv1ymstgfiif4m/AC_Wynne_ChapelAustinCollege-cropped1x1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1716571935/austincollegeedu/fzvls6xv1ymstgfiif4m/AC_Wynne_ChapelAustinCollege-cropped1x1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1716571935/austincollegeedu/fzvls6xv1ymstgfiif4m/AC_Wynne_ChapelAustinCollege-cropped1x1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1716571935/austincollegeedu/fzvls6xv1ymstgfiif4m/AC_Wynne_ChapelAustinCollege-cropped1x1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1716571935/austincollegeedu/fzvls6xv1ymstgfiif4m/AC_Wynne_ChapelAustinCollege-cropped1x1.jpg","width":2200}])
Students who major in Political Science or International Relations can compete in their sophomore year for a $20,000 scholarship, divided between their junior and senior years.
![Asia-Pacific Scholars Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726743619/austincollegeedu/fr6bonsoxjmjwxkpvobt/APSP_at_ISEAS.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726743619/austincollegeedu/fr6bonsoxjmjwxkpvobt/APSP_at_ISEAS.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1726743619/austincollegeedu/fr6bonsoxjmjwxkpvobt/APSP_at_ISEAS.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1726743619/austincollegeedu/fr6bonsoxjmjwxkpvobt/APSP_at_ISEAS.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1726743619/austincollegeedu/fr6bonsoxjmjwxkpvobt/APSP_at_ISEAS.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726743619/austincollegeedu/fr6bonsoxjmjwxkpvobt/APSP_at_ISEAS.jpg","width":1692}])
The Asia-Pacific Scholars program is a special opportunity for students to investigate the vital role of the Asia-Pacific region in current and future geopolitics through academic coursework and experiential learning.
![Study Abroad]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1729746902/austincollegeedu/wok4vugbbsqzv6m6isqa/Janterm-KhanhNguyen-cropped-4_3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1729746902/austincollegeedu/wok4vugbbsqzv6m6isqa/Janterm-KhanhNguyen-cropped-4_3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1729746902/austincollegeedu/wok4vugbbsqzv6m6isqa/Janterm-KhanhNguyen-cropped-4_3.jpg","width":768}])
Austin College emphasizes international education for our students and offers a variety of ways for you to explore the world. Our students go overseas for cultural and language immersion. They pursue work in their majors, take electives, and engage in internships in other states and countries.
Finish in Four*
with the skills to launch your career
Working in the fast paced
international relations field will require you to hone your communication, critical thinking, quantitative and collaboration skills. As a graduate you will be poised to take on your first job with the knowledge that you can confidently:
- describe and illustrate international relations issues effectively in written and oral presentations.
- evaluate the effectiveness of international institutions and organizations in various contemporary and historical contexts.
- evaluate the impact of political cases or situations outside of the United States.
Explore our Graduate Outcomes to learn more about what our graduates are doing today.
Meet our Faculty
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Popular Courses
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Introduction to International Relations
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Introduction to Global Comparative Politics
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American Political Thought
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International Social Movements
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Cuban Politics