International Relations Major, B.A.; B.S.
B.A. degree or B.S. degree
This major is also offered via Global Campus/CMU Online.
An International Relations major consists of 33 hours. A minimum of 15 hours of course work must be at the 300 level or above. No more than 15 credits may be double counted with the Political Science Minor.
Courses taken on a Credit/No Credit basis may not be counted toward majors or minors in the School of Politics, Society, Justice, and Public Service, with the following exceptions: internship (PSC 395), practicums (PSC 393 & PSC 394) and lab course (PSC 355). In the case of these exceptions, no more than three credits total may be applied to the major or minor. Majors and minors in International Relations should enroll in PSC 150 as freshmen (see course description). Transfer students majoring in International Relations will be expected to take at least 15 hours of coursework in the department; transfer minors, 12 hours.
It is recommended that all International Relations majors enroll in PSC 280QR during their sophomore year.
Any regular faculty member in the school can serve as the student’s advisor on a major or minor.
Internships: The school has established an internship program where students are provided relevant firsthand work experience. The duration of an internship can vary depending on the number of credit hours (1-12) taken. Students majoring in International Relations are allowed to count three internship credit hours toward their major.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (15 hours)
| PSC 150 | Introduction to International Relations | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 242 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 280QR | Introduction to Empirical Methods of Political Research | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 375 | Modern Ideologies | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 551 | Seminar in International Relations | 3(3-0) |
Other Requirement (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
| PSC 340 | African Political Systems and Processes | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 344 | East Asian Political Systems and Processes | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 345 | Middle Eastern Political Systems | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 346 | The Politics of Islam | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 347 | Europe and the European Union | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 348 | Latin American Political Systems | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 370 | Gurus, Avatars, and Nukes: South Asian Politics | 3(3-0) |
| PSC 515 | Comparative Public Policy | 3(3-0) |
Electives (15 hours)
Select 15 hours of PSC and/or PAD courses.
OR
Select one of the following certificates:
Undergraduate Certificate - Global Governance and Advocacy
Undergraduate Certificate - Governance of Nations
Undergraduate Certificate - International Security Studies
A student earning a certificate must choose courses different than those chosen to fulfill the major required courses. Up to 6 hours of course work from one certificate may be used to fulfill requirements in another certificate in the school. Although the major may be combined with any of the certificates, students pursuing the major in international relations are advised to consider choosing one from among the list above .
Total: 33 semester hours
Note: A minimum of 15 hours of PSC and/or PAD course work must be at the 300 level or above.