MAJOR FINDER
Filter by College
Filter by Program Types
Filter by Subject
International Relations
Understand power across borders
How do countries and communities respond to conflict, economic change, migration and other challenges that cross national borders? As an international relations major at the University of Delaware, you will examine how governments, international organizations and societies cooperate, compete and shape global affairs.
The interdisciplinary curriculum brings together political science, economics, history, geography, anthropology and advanced language study. You will choose both a topical concentration and a regional specialization, allowing you to connect an issue such as diplomacy, economic development or national security.
You can further shape the major around your goals through a second major or minor, study abroad, internships and undergraduate research. This combination develops the cultural knowledge, communication skills and analytical perspective needed for careers in foreign service, international organizations, global business, humanitarian relief, public policy and journalism. It also provides a strong foundation for law school and other graduate or professional study.
AREAS OF STUDY
- Development and Political Economy
- Diplomacy and Global Order
- Societies and Beliefs
- U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security
CAREER OPTIONS
- International organizations and agencies
- Business
- Foreign service
- National security
- Government Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Nonprofits
- Public Policy and Administration
- Humanitarian Relief
- Journalism
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
- Political Science
- International Business
- Military Sciences
- Law
- Journalism
- Public Policy
- Public Administration
What’s special about this program?
UD’s international relations major combines a global issue concentration with focused study of a world region and advanced language coursework. This structure allows you to examine topics such as diplomacy, development, political economy or national security within their cultural and historical contexts. Policy simulations, research, study abroad and internships help you connect that knowledge to current global challenges.
Students who want to build on this foundation can pursue the International Relations/Business Administration 4+1 program or the International Relations/International Business 4+1 program. The major also pairs well with the political communication or legal studies minor, and pre-law advising is available for students considering law school.
Get Involved
Model United Nations
UNICEF@UD
Students in the Public Interest
POSCIR Ambassadors
Phi Sigma Alpha
Iota Rho
HenLaw
Center for Political Communication
Students Against Human Trafficking
Legal Professional Preparatory Program (LP3)
Sample curriculum
As an interdisciplinary program, all majors are required to complete six core courses: Introduction to Global Politics, Introduction to American Politics or Introduction to Comparative Politics, one economics course, one history course, one geography course, and an advanced language course. Beyond the core courses, you will choose one topical concentration in development and international political economy, diplomacy and global order, societies and beliefs, or U.S. foreign policy and national security, and one regional specialization in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East. International relations can complement your many other interests including a second major, or minors, and prepares you to engage an increasingly complex world.
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
POSC 240 (Core 1/6) (Breadth Requirement: Group C (1/3)) | POSC 150 or 270 (Core 3/6) (Breadth Requirement: Group C (3/3)) |
ECON 101 (Core 2/6) (Breadth Requirement: Group C (2/3)) | Foreign Language (2/3) |
MATH 114, 115, 117, or other | Breadth Requirement: Group A (1/3) |
Foreign Language (1/3) | Breadth Requirement: Group B (1/3) |
ENGL 110 | Breadth Requirement: Group D (1/3) |
UNIV 101 |
|
Credits: 17 | Credits: 16 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
HIST 102 or 104 (Core 4/6) (Breadth Requirement: Group B (2/3)) | One Languages, Literatures and Cultures course beyond the intermediate level taught in the relevant language (Core 6/6) |
GEOG 102, 120, or 203 (Core 5/6) (Multicultural Requirement) | Breadth Requirement: Group A (3/3) |
Foreign Language (3/3) | Breadth Requirement: Group B (3/3) |
Breadth Requirement: Group A (2/3) | Breadth Requirement: Group D with lab (2/3) |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
Credits: 16 | Credits: 16 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
POSC 362* (Concentration 1/5) | POSC Concentration course* (Concentration 3/5) |
POSC Concentration course* (Concentration 2/5) | Concentration course* (Concentration 4/5) |
Breadth Requirement: Group D (3/3) | Discovery Learning Experience |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
Credits: 15 | Credits: 15 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
Concentration course* (Concentration 5/5) | Specialization course** (Specialization 2/3) |
POSC Specialization course** (Specialization 1/3) | Specialization course** (Specialization 3/3) |
Second Writing | 1 credit Capstone |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
| 1 credit Free Elective |
Credits: 15 | Credits: 14 |
