Create a More Prosperous Future With a Degree in International Affairs
Through the study of world history, international politics, global economics and peace and conflict, International Affairs majors discover solutions for contemporary problems such as climate change, mass migration, and transnational crime networks that require global cooperation.
Why earn your International Affairs degree at St. Edward’s?
Whether you want to build positive relationships between nations as a diplomat, tackle humanitarian issues such as disaster relief or human trafficking, work for governmental and nongovernmental organizations, enter the world of international business enterprises or consulting companies, one thing is certain: The advantages of your St. Edward’s education will prepare you to succeed. You’ll find opportunities in and outside the classroom to learn, give back and achieve your goals. And your mentors will support you every step of the way.
Study abroad opportunities with your peers.
Develop expertise in the politics, economy, culture and history of a specific region, choosing from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America or the Middle East. You will have the opportunity to gain direct knowledge about that region through a study abroad program.
Gain insight from meaningful internships.
International Affairs majors have access to internship opportunities at organizations that support underserved communities throughout Austin and other Texas cities.
Gain skills with experiential learning.
Cultivate an international perspective by participating in active-learning projects in your classes and meeting with global experts through the Kozmetsky Center for Excellence.
Build relationships with professors.
You’ll learn in small classes taught by award-winning professors who make a point of getting to know you and becoming your trusted advisors. They’ll help you identify and focus on your goals, and provide guidance and insight during and after your college years.
Reap the Rewards of Austin
International Affairs majors in Austin have a plethora of opportunities to work with diverse organizations and nonprofits that support immigrants, research global economic and political trends or facilitate international trade.
What do our graduates do?
International Affairs majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample.
- Foreign service officer for the U.S. Department of State
- Foreign affairs officer for the National Nuclear Security Administration in the U.S. Department of Defense
- Consultant for Deloitte
- Active channels associate lead at Google
- Junior Officer in Strategic Partnerships for the European Climate Foundation
- Senior Associate in Resilience and Net Zero for iDE - International Development Enterprises.
- Public Health Advisor at the Center for Disease Control and PreventionGraduate students at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, Georgetown University, New York University and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin
Explore Details About a Degree in International Affairs
Major Requirements: The Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs requires 43-57 hours of major courses, which include a combination of global studies, history, and political studies. In addition, students choose both a regional concentration and a thematic concentration to specialize their studies.
Electives: Students complete 18 hours of elective courses in any area of study they choose. These courses do not have to relate to the major.
General Education Requirements: The degree requires 45 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.
View and download the full degree plan for our International Affairs major (PDF).
A few examples of courses students in this major take:
- Comparative Politics - identifies and explains the political, economic, and social differences between countries of the world.
- International Security and Conflict Resolution - explores the causes of war and the nature of diplomacy
- American Foreign Relations - delves into the interactions the United States has with other countries and the policymakers who craft those relations
What You Will Learn
- A variety of current and vital issues including challenges to democracy and freedom around the world; equity and inequality in the global distribution of wealth; the roles of identity and culture in societies; conflicts arising from nationalism and globalization; the causes of war and the means to promote peace, among others.
- To apply your knowledge to real life scenarios and simulations. You will explore the challenges and opportunities for cooperation between the governments and peoples of the globe, and use your knowledge to help devise solutions for international and transnational problems.
Skills You Will Gain
- Gain the knowledge base required for effectively understanding and engaging with crucial global issues.
- Gain the analytical skills required for making sense of how political, economic, and social factors interact on a global scale to produce local and international outcomes.
- Develop the critical thinking skills required for the design and assessment of solutions for existing global challenges.
Experiential Learning
- Students will have the opportunity to participate in a Model Organization of American States conference with peers from other universities. They will take on the role of diplomats for a country in the hemisphere, and collaborate with other delegates on the solution of a crisis scenario.
Internships
Internships help you develop cultural competency and gain experience in a professional work environment. Students have interned with these organizations:
- Henry Davis Foundation
- Global Austin
- The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES)
- Community development internship in Ecuador
- Equal Justice Center, a nonprofit law firm
- LifeWorks, an Austin agency that supports youth and families with housing, education and counseling
- AIDS Foundation Houston
Student Organizations
- The Kozmetsky Center of Excellence at St. Edward’s brings international experts to campus, either in person or virtually, to share their knowledge with the university community. Past speakers have included American and foreign diplomats, policy makers, university scholars, and leaders of the business, non-profit and cultural communities. You’ll have the chance to listen and ask questions of these global experts in sustainable development, peace and security, global health, climate change and global finance.
- Students for Sustainability educates the St. Edward’s community about eco-friendly practices and works with the St. Edward’s administration to implement environmental initiatives. Members help maintain the campus garden, learn about biking and public transportation, encourage fellow students to reduce their use of plastic water bottles, and have clothing swaps and upcycled craft nights.
- The S.E.R.V.E. program, coordinated by Campus Ministry, connects you with volunteer opportunities in Austin. You can participate in a Saturday-morning program where you clean up a park or paint a school building, or commit to weekly service for the whole semester at an organization helping immigrants, children or the elderly.
- Service Break Experiences give you the chance to travel to another community, volunteer and learn about local life. SBEs are built on ongoing relationships between St. Edward’s and the service location and require students to prepare — educationally and spiritually — for several months beforehand. The trips incorporate structured reflections so you’ll integrate what you’ve learned and use it to fuel your charity and justice work going forward. A hallmark of SBEs is their emphasis on living simply — you’ll leave your phone and other luxuries behind. In previous years, SBEs have gone to Peru, Canada, and India.
Traveling abroad is the perfect way to learn about another culture, government, and economy and strengthen your language skills. You’ll be able to study abroad at one of St. Edward’s partner universities across more than 15 countries, or take your studies almost anywhere in the world through another international education provider. You can also choose to intern abroad, helping increase your cultural agility, add to your skill set and expand your global network.
The St. Edward’s–Asia Pacific University dual-degree program gives you the chance to earn two degrees in four years and spend two years studying abroad. You’ll spend your first and fourth years of college at St. Edward’s, earning a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, and your second and third years at our partner university Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Japan, earning a Bachelor of Social Science degree. APU is a multicultural campus with students from nearly 100 countries and offers most classes in Japanese and English. Your courses there will focus on Asia Pacific studies and business. The dual degrees — along with the cultural understanding, language skills and international perspective you’ll gain — will make you a stronger applicant for jobs or graduate school.
Contact Dr. William Nichols williamn@stedwards.edu for more information.
The minor in International Affairs is an asset for any student who wishes to add an international perspective to their education. Students are required to take 18 hours to complete the minor.
Required Courses:
- Global Issues
- One International Affairs area survey course and one advanced History, Political Science or Economics course in that region
- Senior Seminar in International Affairs
- One course from each thematic track (International Business & Economics, International Conflict, Cooperation & Security, and Global Public Health)
Earn Two Degrees in Five Years
With our Accelerated Graduate Pathways, you can complete your BA in International Affairs and master’s degree in Organizational Leadership in as little as five years, saving time and money. See details and requirements.
Success coaches and academic advisors guide you through undergraduate and graduate courses to maximize benefits.