What Exactly Is International Relations?
International Relations (IR) is a branch of political science that examines diplomatic affairs among international actors such as states, international political organizations, non-governmental international organizations, multinational corporations, and others. IR is both an academic field and a realm of public policy. In short, international relations refer to a special type of social relationship that transcends national boundaries, encompassing political, economic, military, and social dimensions. The IR major provides comprehensive training across multiple aspects of personal development.
In the United States, students typically study American foreign policy, international organizations (especially the United Nations), regional hotspot issues, diplomacy, national security, and economic, legal, environmental, and human rights issues from a global perspective. However, emphases vary among institutions: most focus on political science, history, and economics, while some lean toward language and literature. Additionally, while some schools examine global issues from an American viewpoint, the majority adopt a more globalized perspective.
Subfields of International Relations:
1. Political Science – International Relations as a Concentration
In this model, IR is housed within a political science department. Full-time programs usually last two years and lead to a Master of Arts in Politics degree.
The curriculum is primarily course-based, meaning students earn credits by completing courses and passing exams to graduate.
Political Science programs typically offer concentrations such as:
American Politics
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Political Theory
Political Methodology, etc.
2. International Relations as a Standalone Major
(sometimes called International Affairs)
Here, IR is housed within a school of international studies/international affairs/international public affairs. Full-time programs again generally last two years (except the University of Chicago, which offers a compact one-year master’s program), awarding a Master of Arts in International Relations. A few schools grant a Master of Science in Foreign Service or Master of Science in International Affairs (e.g., Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgetown University).
The curriculum is primarily course-based, consisting of core courses (in economics, history, political science, and statistics/analytics) and major-specific courses (forming concentrations known as Career Tracks and Region Tracks).
3. Other Master’s Degrees with an International Relations Focus
The following master’s degrees, though not explicitly named International Relations/International Affairs, are closely related to the field.
For example, Pepperdine University’s Master of Public Policy includes a concentration in Public Policy and International Relations.
The Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver offers an MA in International Development, an MA in International Security, and an MA in International Studies, focusing on economic, human development, and societal security within a global context.
International Relations Curriculum
IR programs in the U.S. are generally housed in political science departments or within colleges of arts and sciences. These departments typically offer concentrations in American politics, international relations, political theory, comparative politics, and related subjects.
Broadly speaking, all these fields fall under the umbrella of international relations. In Chinese universities, the foundational courses for international relations, diplomacy, and international politics overlap significantly, differing only in emphasis. Similarly, some U.S. universities integrate IR studies into public policy, public management, and other disciplines. Thus, students interested in IR can apply to any of the related programs within political science departments, not just those narrowly labeled “International Relations.”
American IR curricula typically include international relations theory, international security and history, international political economy and development, international trade, international law, and international technology and foreign policy. These core courses are also fundamental to International and Public Affairs and International Affairs programs, meaning these three fields are interchangeable, and students may apply to all.
Classroom lectures are the primary teaching format, but discussions and debates are essential. Because international relations and global affairs evolve rapidly, students must hone their critical thinking and analytical skills, frequently questioning their own assumptions. A typical course list includes:
International organizations
International law
African politics
Latin American politics
European politics
Russian and east European politics
Northeast Asian politics
South Asian politics
Middle East politics
Global environmental issues
International relations theory
National security
International conflict
International political economy
Global human rights
Top 10 U.S. Universities for International Politics (International Relations, Diplomacy)
1) Harvard University
2) Stanford University
3) Columbia University, The School of General Studies
4) Princeton University
5) University of Michigan Ann Arbor
6) University of California San Diego
7) Duke University
8) University of California Berkeley
9) The University of Chicago
10) New York University
Which Schools’ IR Programs Are Worth Applying To?
Harvard University
The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard is the dream destination for IR students worldwide. Over the decades, the Kennedy School has become Harvard’s premier school, surpassing even the renowned Law School, Business School, and Medical School in popularity. It serves as a vital training ground for U.S. public officials and a leading policy research institution, having produced countless leaders in public service.
The Kennedy School offers IR-related programs at both the master's and doctoral levels:
Master’s programs include:
Public Policy
Public Administration
Public Administration/International Development
Doctoral programs include:
Public Policy
Political Economy & Government
Core courses:
Economics
Ethics
Management and Leadership
Negotiations
Politics
Policy Analysis
Application requirements: transcripts, language test scores, GRE, résumé, letters of recommendation, personal statement, online application
Columbia University
Columbia’s IR studies are housed within the Department of Political Science. From NGOs to other non-state actors, and from domestic politics to the international system, the department’s research spans nearly all areas of international relations. Its faculty is distinguished, and students receive extensive attention from professors. During their studies, students have many opportunities to engage with international organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, and the World Bank.
Core courses:
Conceptual Foundations of International Politics
Microeconomics for International & Public Affairs
Macroeconomics for International & Public Affairs
Quantitative Analysis for International & Public Affairs
Analysis of Public Sector Organizations
Application requirements: transcripts, language test scores, GRE, résumé, letters of recommendation, personal statement, online application
Stanford University
Stanford’s IR research covers virtually all global and regional issues, including armed conflict in various forms, international political economy, environmental problems, nuclear proliferation, and terrorism threats. Stanford’s Department of Political Science does not admit master’s students; it only trains undergraduates and doctoral students, with the doctoral program aimed at preparing graduates for academic careers. Admission is highly selective: among a large pool of applicants, only 12–15 students enter the Ph.D. program each year. IR research at Stanford is organized around several workshops that bring together students, Stanford faculty, and scholars from other top institutions, providing a broad platform for collaborative research.
Core courses:
Microeconomics for Policy
Introduction to American Law
Political Analysis for Public Policymakers
Science and Technology Policy
Application requirements: transcripts, language test scores, GRE, résumé, personal statement, online application
University of Chicago
Chicago has a long tradition in international relations. Renowned IR theorist Professor John Mearsheimer teaches there, and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson also served on the faculty. The Harris School offers IR-related master’s programs, including the Master of Public Policy and a dual degree in Public Policy and International Relations (jointly offered by the Harris School and the Committee on International Relations).
Core courses:
Math Methods for Public Policy
Data Skills for Public Policy
Analytical Politics I: Strategic Foundation
Statistics for Data Analysis
Principles of Microeconomics and Public Policy
Application requirements: transcripts, language test scores, GRE, résumé, personal statement, online application
Application Requirements for International Relations Programs
Academic Background
IR programs have relatively low entry barriers; it is a discipline that is easy to begin but difficult to master. Many schools have no strict major prerequisites, welcoming applicants from any field as long as they are interested. Some STEM-oriented schools even encourage students from science backgrounds to apply. IR programs tend to favor applicants with a background in politics, economics, or related fields.
For example, Columbia’s IR master’s states that students should have completed courses in economics, statistics, and financial management; Johns Hopkins’ IR master’s requires prior coursework in macroeconomics and microeconomics.
Preferred Soft Skills/Background
IR programs place significant weight on the writing sample, using it to assess an applicant’s research ability, analytical skills, and understanding of international relations.
Standardized Test Requirements
As a humanities/social science major, IR demands high language proficiency. Many schools require a TOEFL score of 100 or above, and the GRE is required.
Application Materials
Typically include three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a statement of purpose, and a résumé.
Language Requirements
TOEFL/IELTS; GRE scores
Career Prospects for International Relations Graduates
The “easy to learn, hard to master” nature of IR means that career prospects are not exceptionally broad. Master’s graduates typically find employment in international organizations, multinational corporations, and representative offices of foreign companies; after all, not everyone can work in embassies or ministries of foreign affairs. In traditional training models, the employment outlook for IR is not as wide-ranging as for some conventional disciplines, because it is an elite education. Not every graduate can directly enter the foreign service or high-level diplomatic institutions upon graduation—the professional path remains relatively narrow.
Since international institutions, multinationals, and commercial representative offices are more likely located in bustling commercial hubs, applicants should factor this into their school selection with a long-term view. If the chosen school is in a region with lower economic development, graduates may find fewer job or internship opportunities, potentially affecting the quality of their education and, consequently, their competitiveness in the job market. Many doctoral graduates continue in academia as researchers or enter government agencies, advanced scholarly organizations, and think tanks to provide policy solutions.
Career Directions:
Research
Many IR graduates pursue research careers; most positions require a Ph.D., though a few accept master’s degree holders.
Specialized Sectors
Security agencies, foreign service, commerce departments, and other foreign-related ministries. While these agencies do not exclusively recruit IR graduates, they reserve some positions for IR students, especially those from top-tier schools.
Consulting and Auditing Firms
IR students generally develop strong logical and rapid analytical skills.
Multinational Corporations, NGOs
Foreign language proficiency is a key strength of IR students, and their competitive edge often lies in combining analytical prowess with quick learning abilities.
Media, Magazines, Publishing
Various news and publishing outlets hire international-section editors, reporters, and commentators. Starting salaries at lower-tier domestic newspapers average around 3,000 yuan plus commissions, while major outlets like Xinhua Daily offer average salaries above 10,000 yuan.
