International Relations

International relations is an interdisciplinary field of study that examines the relationships and interactions between nation-states, international organizations and non-state actors. As a student with a major or minor in international relations, you will learn about such topics as international politics, diplomacy, international law, international security and global governance.

While preparing for careers with governmental agencies, NGOs and domestic and global commercial operations—or further study in graduate school—you’ll also study the relations between nations, including the distribution of power, decision-making and conflict resolution. 

Using real-world examples from the pages of history, you’ll study the ways in which states interact with each other, including the role of international organizations and treaties and the rules and norms that govern these interactions. You’ll also explore how states cooperate through international organizations—such as the United Nations and NATO—to manage global issues, such as security, human rights, international justice, conflict, economic development and environmental protection.

Through the lenses of history and current events, IR students also explore the causes and consequences of conflict and the strategies used to maintain peace and security in the international system, seeking to understand the economic, political and social implications of the increasing interconnectedness of the world's economies.

You will have a variety of career paths open to you, prepared to work in a governmental, social or business environment within an international context. Training in advanced language skills, combined with historical and political knowledge of specific regions of the world, will make you very competitive in the job market.

What You’ll Learn with an International Relations Degree

With an international relations degree, you will have the skills needed to achieve your bigger goals, regardless of industry or area of expertise within the global affairs realm and will be able to:

  • Understand how nation-states, international organizations and non-state actors interact, including international politics, diplomacy, international law, international security and global governance.
  • Analyze the causes and consequences of conflict and the strategies used to maintain peace and security in the international system.
  • Evaluate how states cooperate through organizations such as the United Nations and NATO to manage security, human rights and economic development.
  • Develop research and writing skills for international relations through the required Writing and Research in IR course.
  • Complete a 15-credit concentration, such as Intelligence and Security Studies or U.S. Foreign Policy, with optional study abroad or an internship.

 

Program Information

Majoring in international relations immerses you in the study of international politics, diplomacy, law, security, and global governance, providing a comprehensive understanding of global affairs.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Duration

4 years

Required Credit Hours

120

Modality

In-Person

How do our professors walk alongside you?

Whether focusing on security, foreign affairs or language, each professor has exceptional ability and can answer difficult questions. And the Center works to facilitate amazing career and study-abroad opportunities to greatly expand options.

Joseph Grabill, A'24

What opportunities exist to study abroad?

Our students are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester abroad. Studying abroad helps you:

  • Build global awareness and experience diverse cultures
  • Deepen your knowledge in your area of concentration
  • Strengthen your resume for IR-related careers

IR majors may study in any country through an accredited program approved by the program directors. Duquesne also has two campuses abroad, in Dublin, Ireland, and Rome, Italy.

In Rome, Duquesne’s first study abroad program, DU/Villa Nazareth, has operated since 1985 and is currently open only to international relations majors. Courses are offered in English and Italian.

The DU/Villa Nazareth program cost includes:

  • Tuition and fees
  • Room and board
  • Public transportation in Rome
  • Excursions throughout Italy

Students are responsible for:

  • Round-trip airfare
  • Course materials
  • Personal expenses
Five male students smile in front of a volcano.

A Horizon-Expanding Education

Reimagine our world while you explore it. You will become intellectually aware, culturally sensitive, and professionally prepared.

Discover Study Abroad

Program Requirements

Students majoring in international relations are required to complete 36 credits in the following courses.

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  • IR 102 Careers in IR (3 Credits)
  • IR 200 Writing and Research in IR (3 Credits)
  • IR 393 Political and Economic Geography (3 Credits)
  • IR 499 Advanced International Relations Theory (3 Credits)
  • Must be at 300 level and above or 6 credit hours of IR prefixed electives
  • Arabic Studies
  • Asian Studies
  • European and Russian Studies
  • Human Rights and Humanitarian Operations
  • Intelligence and Security Studies
  • Latin America
  • Middle East and Africa
  • U.S. Foreign Policy
  • IR 145 Global Society (3 Credits)
  • IR 208 Politics of Great Powers (3 Credits)
  • IR 209 Politics of Emerging Powers (3 Credits)
  • IR 245 International Relations (3 Credits)
  • IR 254 American Foreign Policy (3 Credits)
  • IR 345W Security Ethics (3 Credits)
  • IR 491 Internship (3 Credits)

Diversify your thinking and reimagine our world

International relations majors can add a second major and still graduate in four years. A double major strengthens job-market competitiveness, and the most common pairings are political science, history, and Spanish. Any other major in the College of Liberal Arts also works.

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Learning Outcomes

In addition to the Liberal Arts General Outcomes for all Undergraduate Degree Areas, students in the B.A. in International Relations program will demonstrate the following general competencies: 
  1. Changing realities: Be alert to the changing realities of a global marketplace and develop skills to compete effectively in it.
  2. International system: Understand the international system, its rational origins, and what it does to stabilize and advance global peace.
  3. Global environment: Recognize, understand, and participate in a global environment.
  4. Cross culturalism: Understand international structures and regimes and their impact on the global environment.
  5. Experiential learning: Articulate and apply numerous theories on the nature of conflict and their outcomes.