Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in International Politics is designed to provide students with a comprehensive background in international political concepts and issues. This program can prepare students for careers in domestic or international security, foreign affairs, or international business.

Program Details

• The program requires a minimum of 123 credits.
• A grade of "C" or better is required for all courses in the major.
• The program offers three areas of study: International Political Economy, National Security Studies, and International Relations.

Foundational Courses

• Students must select 9 credits from the following courses:
  • PLSC 1: American Politics: Principles, Processes and Powers
  • PLSC 7N: Contemporary Political Ideologies
  • PLSC 3: Comparing Politics Around the Globe
  • PLSC 200N: Government and Politics of Europe
  • PLSC 14: International Relations

Advanced Courses

• Students must select 6 credits from the following courses:
  • PLSC 412: International Political Economy
  • PLSC 418W: International Relations Theory
  • PLSC 439: The Politics of Terrorism
  • PLSC 442: American Foreign Policy

Supporting Courses

• Students must select 12 credits from the following courses:
  • PLSC 410: Strategy and Politics
  • PLSC 412: International Political Economy
  • PLSC 418W: International Relations Theory
  • PLSC 438: National Security Policies
  • PLSC 439: The Politics of Terrorism
  • PLSC 442: American Foreign Policy
  • PLSC 456: Politics and Institutions of Latin-American Nations
  • PLSC 467: International Relations of the Middle East
  • HLS 483: Seminar in National Security Policy

Program Options

• Students must choose one of the following program options:
  • International Relations (12 total credits)
  • National Security (12 total credits)
  • International Political Economy (12 total credits)

Electives

• Students must incorporate at least:
  • 3 credits in U.S. cultures
  • 3 credits in international (IL) cultures
  • 3 credits in writing-across-the-curriculum courses

General Education Requirements

• Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major.
• Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

• Some Bachelor of Arts requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major, General Education courses, or electives.
• Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

Career Opportunities

The program is suited for students interested in foreign affairs, domestic or international security, and diplomacy; those pursuing careers in international business; and individuals interested in graduate study or education in domestic or international law.

Faculty

The program features a faculty of highly regarded instructors from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, including:

• Burton Atkins
• James W. Binney
• Christopher Cook
• Justin K. Crofoot
• Marie Hojnacki
• Tamar London
• Nicole Morford
• Adam Nye
• Glenn Palmer
• Amanda Parks
• Daniel Ponder
• Jason Warner
• Ilya Winham

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
• Tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year:
  • If you have 59 or fewer credits: $638 per credit
  • If you have 60 or more credits: $685 per credit
• Financial aid and military benefits are available to eligible students.