People & Society

International Relations major, explained.

Explore how countries, organizations, and people navigate global problems.

International Relations explores how diplomacy, conflict, security, trade, development, law, institutions, culture, and global movements shape international life. Students commonly study International politics, Diplomacy, Global political economy, International law, and Regional and security studies. Programs vary by college, but the field generally combines foundational ideas with applied work so students can investigate meaningful questions, make informed decisions, and communicate what they discover.

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You might enjoy this if

Notice what feels familiar.

You follow global events and want to understand the systems behind them.

You enjoy history, politics, economics, languages, and competing perspectives.

You can analyze a problem without assuming one country controls the answer.

The study experience

What the work may feel like.

Programs differ by college. These labels describe common areas of emphasis, not a score or universal rating.

Reading Central
Writing Central
Quantitative work Regular
Labs or hands-on work Limited
Design and making Some
People and collaboration Central
Questions you may keep asking

Which actors, interests, histories, and institutions shape this conflict or cooperation?

How does power operate across borders and international organizations?

Which response is realistic, legitimate, and attentive to unintended effects?

International politicsDiplomacyGlobal political economyInternational lawRegional and security studies

What can you do with this major?

One major. More than one direction.

These are example connections, not guaranteed outcomes. Many careers welcome more than one major, and some require additional education or licensure.

International Affairs Analyst

Researches global developments and explains their implications for an organization or audience.

Program Officer

Coordinates partnerships, budgets, communication, and implementation for international programs.

Policy Research Assistant

Supports analysis of international security, development, trade, rights, or diplomatic questions.

Global Partnerships Coordinator

Builds and maintains relationships across institutions, countries, and cultural contexts.

International Relations can support several career directions, and employers may welcome graduates from related fields. Practical experience, internships, projects, and additional credentials can matter alongside the degree.

Try it before college

Projects that make International Relations more real.

Reading helps you understand a field. A Compass project helps you discover whether you enjoy doing the work.

Each project includes a step-by-step plan, custom AI prompts, reflection guidance, and a finished creation for the student’s portfolio. See how Compass works
Compass project 30–56 hours

Fact-Check a Campaign Promise

Take one political promise apart before deciding whether it is bold, vague, possible, or misleading.

You will create
campaign promise feasibility report
Build this with Compass
Compass project 20–40 hours

Behind the Headlines

Compare how different news outlets tell the same story, then write the report you think readers deserve.

You will create
Media Analysis & Evidence-Based News Report
Build this with Compass
Compass project 25–50 hours

Solve a Problem Nobody Agrees On

Study a controversial issue and build a thoughtful policy proposal backed by evidence.

You will create
Policy Proposal & Research Case Study
Build this with Compass

Keep exploring

Related majors worth comparing.

Sources and important context

Compass presents a curated collection of 100 widely studied and commonly searched undergraduate majors. The collection is not a statistical ranking. Major names and CIP connections follow common US college usage and the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs. Study patterns are editorial summaries of common program structures and vary by college. Career directions are examples, not guaranteed outcomes. Students should compare actual curricula, admission rules, accreditation, and licensing requirements at colleges they are considering.

NCES CIP codes: 45.0901

  • NCES Classification of Instructional ProgramsNational Center for Education Statistics. Official US taxonomy for fields of study and instructional programs.
  • Field of DegreeUS Bureau of Labor Statistics. Federal career exploration resources organized around broad college fields.
  • O*NET OnLineUS Department of Labor. Detailed descriptions of occupations, tasks, knowledge, skills, and work activities.
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Compass gives students the project and the plan.

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