BA in International Relations

The undergraduate international relations major at Webster is designed to help you develop the skills you need to understand and take part in an interconnected world: Political awareness, economic understanding, cultural competency, and global citizenship.

Under the guidance of our expert faculty, you’ll learn about the key players on today’s global stage and gain educated, well-rounded perspectives on the most pressing problems facing those key players today. You’ll study abroad at one of Webster’s international campus locations, getting in-depth exposure to different cultures and sociopolitical environments. And thanks to Webster’s global connections, you’ll have opportunities for hands-on learning through internships and fieldwork at some of the most influential organizations and agencies in international relations.

You’ll graduate Webster empowered with the global consciousness and critical thinking skills you need to be successful in whatever career you choose.

Why Webster Athens?

Webster Athens brings the best of American education to Greece. We are the only fully owned and controlled (academically and financially) accredited campus of a US university in Greece.

International Perspective

Seize the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime high-quality academic adventure.

Take your education abroad and participate in our challenging and in-demand programs built to provide the flexibility and convenience necessary to succeed in today's world.

Points of Distinction

• Classes are small and discussion-oriented, and students are individually mentored by their professors and advisors throughout their degree.
• Webster’s global campuses offer students the opportunity for immersive study abroad experiences as part of their IR degree.
• Unique fieldwork/internship opportunities offer students valuable international relations experience outside the classroom.
• Faculty are accomplished scholars and experts in strategic areas of international relations like foreign policy, political economy, human rights, and international law.
• Webster’s diverse student body supports a truly global community of learners

Curriculum

Students complete 42 credit hours for the undergraduate major in international relations, taking foundational courses in international relations like International Relations Theory and Methods of Political Inquiry, as well as history and political science courses that have strong international content. Nine credit hours are open to any course in the Department of History, Politics, and International Relations, allowing you to customize your major with relevant classes that fit your interests. You can tailor your degree even further with an emphasis in international economics (available in St. Louis and Geneva) or migration and refugee studies (available in Geneva).

All international relations majors also study a second language to the intermediate level, and study abroad is built into the international relations curriculum. You’ll spend at least eight weeks outside your home country, experiencing the day-to-day life of a foreign city, and learning about international relations firsthand. Our IR students study at Webster’s international campuses in:

• Geneva, Switzerland
• Vienna, Austria
• Leiden, the Netherlands
• Cha-am, Thailand
• Athens, Greece
• Accra, Ghana

Combined BA/MA in International Relations

Webster also offers a Master of Arts degree in international relations. Undergraduates from any discipline at Webster who maintain a 3.3 GPA or higher may qualify to start work on their MA in international relations while still completing their BA, saving time and money.

Internship Opportunities

Expert faculty relationships in both the academic and diplomatic worlds open doors to distinctive learning experiences, practica, and internships for our students.

International relations majors have held internships around the globe with:

• World Trade Organization
• World Health Organization
• Europol
• OPEC
• International Press Institute
• United Nations
• British Parliament
• US Customs
• Red Cross

Alumni Success

Our international relations graduates have put their Webster education to use in careers such as:

• Portfolio Specialist, Bradesco Asset Management at Bradesco, Sao Paolo, Brazil
• Assistant to the Director, Conflict Resolution Institute at the University of Denver
• Communications and Volunteer Coordinator at Dividendo Voluntario para la Comunidad
• Attorney
• Assistant Professor of political science at University of California, Merced
• Cabinet member in the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defense
• Peace Corps volunteer
• Development Officer and Policy Advocate at Meds and Food for Kids
• Assistant Program Manager at campaign management company Winding Creek Group