Program Overview

International Relations Program

The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, a flexible degree curriculum that allows students to select topical courses tailored to their specific international relations career and academic needs.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations provides students with a strong background in economics, culture, education, and political science, examining their impact on society. This degree gives students a global understanding, teaching them to incorporate various perspectives to solve problems.

Why Get an International Relations Degree?

Today's employers seek individuals who can employ a global perspective in their work. A bachelor's in international relations offers this global understanding and teaches students to incorporate a variety of perspectives to solve problems.

Program Type and Format

• Major, BA
• Format: On-Campus

Career Opportunities and Skills

Our curriculum, internships in international relations, and study abroad opportunities provide students with several skills applicable to an international relations career, including:

• Identifying key trends in international relations
• Demonstrating cross-cultural competence and a global worldview
• Applying major international relations theories and concepts to contemporary issues in global affairs
• Analyzing the foreign policy behavior of the United States and other major actors in world politics
• Comparing and contrasting the major political, economic, cultural, and geographic features of different world regions
• Assessing international relations issues, formulating evidence-based recommendations, and communicating them with clarity and coherence
• Planning, executing, and defending a major research project

International relations degree graduates can leverage these skills in a wide range of career opportunities, many of which offer strong earning potential. Employment of international relations policy analysts, for example, is projected to grow up to 7% by 2032, with a median annual salary of $128,020, according to wage and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Career Paths

• Communications Specialist
• Consultant
• Corporate Political Risk Analyst
• Intelligence Analyst
• Intelligence Specialist
• International Affairs Military Officer
• International Law Specialist
• National Security Expert
• Research Analyst

Degree Information

Plan of Study

All majors must meet the general education requirements of the university in addition to completing degree-specific curriculum requirements.

Student Organizations and Involvement

Student Organizations

Make new friends and learn new skills by joining one of our Recognized Student Organizations, such as:

• Political Science Academy
• Student Government Association
• Students of the University of Missouri

Honors College

The UMSL Honors College is a certificate program that can be paired with any major without adding extra classes or extending time to graduate. Classes in the Honors College are seminar-style, fostering an intellectual climate centered around democracy, civility, and academic excellence.

Undergraduate Research

We encourage and support students as they engage in exciting activities in and outside of the classroom that enrich their academic and professional understanding of their chosen area of study. All majors are encouraged to participate in Undergraduate Research and Scholarship to produce discipline-specific intellectual or creative innovations to their field.

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences offers exciting degree programs that cover the academic spectrum from fine arts, humanities, and the social sciences, to the natural and applied sciences. An undergraduate degree from the College of Arts and Sciences provides the intellectual base for a host of career paths, advanced study, and research in many academic disciplines.

Why Choose UMSL Arts and Sciences?

The College of Arts and Sciences has prepared tens of thousands of graduates to become influential leaders and find career success in the region, nationally, and internationally. Our faculty are actively engaged in research and scholarship that advances knowledge, theory, and applied methods in their fields, providing an unparalleled academic experience.

Academic Programs

The College of Arts and Sciences offers 31 baccalaureate, 16 master, and seven doctoral degrees, as well as dozens of minor and certificate programs designed to get you where you want to go. With dedicated academic advisors ready to create a personalized plan to help you succeed in your academic journey, you'll have a clear path from start to finish. Find the program that's right for you.