International Relations
Develop global insights for diplomacy, culture, education, politics, security, development, and their impact on society.
International Relations, B.S./B.A.
The International Relations degree is for students interested in global affairs. This interdisciplinary area is headquartered in MTSU's Department of Political and Global Affairs, in the College of Liberal Arts.
Students who study International Relations may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree by taking courses that illuminate world politics, U.S. foreign policy, and many aspects of the global system, including diplomacy, development, trade, war and peace, human rights, authoritarian governance and democratic backsliding, migration and refugee flows, and more.
Our International Relations faculty bring regional expertise in Africa and the Middle East, China and Asia, Russia and Eastern Europe, Western Europe and the European Union, and Latin America. We recommend interdisciplinary minors with an area studies emphasis to International Relations majors. Among those available are African Studies, Asian Studies, and Russian Studies.
As an International Relations major, learn why countries form alliances, make treaties, or go to war. Explore the organizations that promote international cooperation and give rise to international order. Develop knowledge of national security issues and strategic competition in international politics, security, and economics. Investigate global and regional economic links that affect daily life. Study different political systems and forms of government that shape societies and relations among them. Take an in-depth look at topics such as international development and human security, migration, human rights, international law, the status of women around the world, the global economy, and international conflict.
International Relations Degree Careers
A major or career in International Relations also can provide exciting opportunities to experience other cultures through travel abroad to destinations such as Paris, Tokyo, Beijing, Venice, Sâo Paulo, Nairobi, and London. Moreover, International Relations majors develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, and communication that are helpful in a wide range of possible careers.
After graduation, an International Relations major can lead to careers in:
- government
- diplomacy and foreign affairs
- business
- risk management
- military affairs
- intelligence
- education and research
- health care
- nonprofit organizations focused on human rights, refugee assistance, and more
Minors
In addition to interdisciplinary minors with an area studies emphasis, students majoring in International Relations are encouraged to select minors and electives in foreign languages, humanities, or social science offerings that contribute to an understanding of economic, geographical, historical, and cultural factors in international affairs — or in areas that provide students with substantive skills related to a professional environment, such as business and computer science.
Society for International Affairs
Majors and minors in International Relations may choose to participate in the Society for International Affairs. This student organization builds community and sponsors MTSU's Model United Nations (MUN) squad, which has traveled to cities in the United States and abroad to participate in intercollegiate MUN simulations.
News Briefs
May ‘Out of the Blue’ features summer STEM camp, VR in police training, international affairs
In the May edition of "Out of the Blue," the television magazine program of Middle Tennessee State University, viewers will hear about an upcoming summer STEM camp, learn about a professor's research into the impact of using virtual reality in police de-escalation training and hear from two international students about their academic journeys at MTSU.[ Read More ]
International Affairs office welcomes group of Bahamian students for MTSU visit
A group of Bahamian students spent the day on the Middle Tennessee State University campus recently thanks to an invitation from the Office of International Affairs.[ Read More ]
News Briefs
May ‘Out of the Blue’ features summer STEM camp, VR in police training, international affairs
In the May edition of "Out of the Blue," the television magazine program of Middle Tennessee State University, viewers will hear about an upcoming summer STEM camp, learn about a professor's research into the impact of using virtual reality in police de-escalation training and hear from two international students about their academic journeys at MTSU.[ Read More ]
International Affairs office welcomes group of Bahamian students for MTSU visit
A group of Bahamian students spent the day on the Middle Tennessee State University campus recently thanks to an invitation from the Office of International Affairs.[ Read More ]
International Relations, B.S./B.A.
Graduates of the International Relations major program can be found all over the globe; examples include
- City development managers
- Combat engineers
- Diplomats
- Educators
- Equal employment opportunity coordinators
- Government employees
- Import company representatives
- International trade compliance analysts
- Linguists
- Program analysts
- Public servants
- Senior intelligence specialists in defense
- Staff assistants to members of Congress
- Store managers
Employers of MTSU alumni include:
- A.O. Smith Corporation
- California Department of State Hospitals, Patton State Hospital
- City of San Diego
- Department of Defense — U. S. Army Contracting Command, Huntsville, Alabama
- Drug Enforcement Agency
- Guaranty Trust
- Hospital Corporation of America
- Medical Services Corporation International
- Metro Nashville Police Department
- Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Peace Corps
- SALT International, a non-profit focused on establishing agri-businesses in the developing world
- South Carolina National Guard
- U.S. Air Force, linguist
- U.S. State Department /Foreign Service
- United Nations
- United States Congress
- Wal-Mart, Inc.
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
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