Program Overview

International Relations Program

The international relations program at Suffolk University is designed to prepare students for their role as change agents in addressing the world's most complex challenges. As an international relations major, students will gain a deep understanding of how states and organizations can address pressing problems such as human rights and transitional justice, nuclear proliferation, environmental degradation, underdevelopment, and pandemic management.

Program Overview

Working with expert faculty, students will develop practical tools to analyze the complex political, legal, economic, and cultural dimensions of global governance. The program will help students build highly specialized expertise that will launch their careers in international relations.

Program Options

• The Major: Core classes in the international relations major include Introduction to Comparative Politics, Evolution of the Global System, and Research Methodology for International Relations. Students will select elective courses in their areas of interest, such as environmental threats, international security, or human rights.
• The Minor: With a minor in International Relations, students will learn to navigate within a global environment while studying in the heart of Boston. To complete the minor, students will take two required courses, Evolution of the Global System and Introduction to Comparative Politics, then choose three electives.
• Customize Your Degree: Many international relations students choose courses, minors, or double majors in areas that will complement their skills, such as:
  • Undergraduate Law or the Paralegal Studies Certificate
  • Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate
  • Computer Science
  • Economics
  • History, Language, and Global Culture

International Relations Degree in Three

Students can earn their international relations degree in just three years and start making a difference sooner. By taking classes during summer sessions, students will save tuition money and graduate earlier to accelerate their career or graduate studies.

Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's

Students can save time and kickstart their career by completing their undergraduate degree and MA in Global Public Policy in only 5 years. Students can apply to this dual-degree program in their junior year at Suffolk, during the spring semester, and take their first graduate course the following fall.

Beyond the Classroom

• The Washington Center: Suffolk University has partnered with The Washington Center to offer students unique and powerful career-building experiences in the nation's capital.
• The Suffolk University Political Research Center: The center conducts statewide and national surveys as well as bellwether polls, examining political races and analyzing voters' opinions on key issues.
• Intern and Study Abroad: Students can dive deep into global issues through travel courses offered in the international relations major or take advantage of short, semester-, or academic year-long programs in more than two dozen countries coordinated by the University's Study Abroad office.

Success after Suffolk

Recent graduates have gone on to work in various fields, including:

• Business Manager at Acosta Marte, Inc.
• Program Associate at The Philanthropic Initiative, Boston Foundation
• Paraprofessional at Stepping Stones Group, LLC
• Senate Page at State Senate, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Legal Assistant at Dhar Law LLP
• Survey Analyst at Gallagher
• Administrative Assistant at Innovation, Mass General Brigham
• Treatment Coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital
• Program Assistant at Bridge Boston Charter School
• Investment Administrative Support at Wellington Management

Research Areas

Students in the international relations program will study global political power, ideas, ideologies, legislation, strategy, and conflict. They will develop negotiation and diplomacy skills, write expertly in a variety of international policy domains, and engage effectively with people from different cultures, aided by language learning and study abroad experiences. Students will also learn how to code using R, an open-source statistical software.