6 Online Bachelor's Degrees in International Relations

International relations is a field of study in higher education that involves several different disciplines. Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in international relations will study things like:

• Political science
• History
• Foreign policy
• International law
• Global issues
• Foreign languages

There are many different career paths that a graduate of an international relations program may take, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in this degree field have strong projected growth in coming years.

For students who are interested in this field, many universities offer programs in international relations, and students can also complete this kind of degree online. Enrolling in an online degree helps students complete their studies conveniently and flexibly.

Here are the best options for online international relations degree programs.

International Relations Online Program Ranking

1. Florida International University

Florida International University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in international relations. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in 'government, non-profit, and the private sector.'

Students of the program will be encouraged to focus on critical thinking skills and the ability to assess global issues independently. Some of the courses that are required for this degree include:

• Introduction to International Relations
• International Law
• Foreign Policy
• Theories of International Relations

The program is 120 credit hours and the tuition cost is $236 per credit hour for in-state students and $649 per credit hour for out-of-state students.

2. Maryville University

Maryville University is a private institution located in Missouri. In addition to its on-campus location, the school offers many online programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in global studies.

This international studies program is focused on the study of global issues and intercultural communication. This program provides students with the ability to consider the global impact of things. The program features a foreign language requirement and a capstone project, and there are options for customization so students can pursue their interests.

The program's 128 credit hours are available 100% online, and the tuition cost is $540 per credit hour.

3. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a popular option for online degree programs. One of their online degrees is a Bachelor of Arts in global studies.

ASU emphasizes many issues in this program, and the ones the school encourages students to focus on include:

• Global conflicts
• Human rights
• Economic development
• Social development
• And more

The tuition cost per semester for a full-time student at ASU is $6,215 in-state and $7,317 out-of-state.

4. American Public University

The American Public University is an online, private university. One of the degrees offered by the school is a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and global security.

This program has multiple concentrations from which students can choose. Just some of them are:

• Middle Eastern Studies
• Peacekeeping
• Comparative Politics
• Globalization and Human Security

The coursework of the program includes:

• General education
• Major requirements
• Electives

Students must also complete a final senior seminar. Undergraduate degrees at the American Public University cost $350 per credit hour.

5. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida offers an online Bachelor of Arts in International and Global Studies of their own.

This 120-credit-hour program features courses covering the broad areas of:

• Comparative politics
• International relations theory
• World political geography

Students will gain the skills of:

• Understanding global conflicts, cooperation, and development
• Analyzing public policy, global issues, and national security
• Engaging with different cultures and international organizations

The tuition rate for this program is $179 per credit hour for in-state students and $716 per credit hour for out-of-state students.

6. New England College

New England College, located in New Hampshire, offers online programs alongside its on-campus programs. Student enrollment at the college is just over 5,000 students. It is ranked as the top online school in New Hampshire.

In the school's online Bachelor of Arts in international relations and diplomacy, students will study the foundations of foreign policy and be prepared to analyze various elements of global issues and the political process.

The tuition cost for an online undergraduate program at New England College is $375 per credit hour.

FAQs About Online International Relations Degree Programs

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about online international relations degree programs.

Can I Study International Relations Online?

Yes, there are many options for studying international relations online. This includes both undergraduate degrees and master's degrees.

Is It Worth Majoring in International Relations?

A major in international relations can lead to a plethora of jobs with high salaries, choosing to pursue a degree in the field a worthwhile investment. It can also be even more worthwhile if students can apply for scholarships and other forms of financial aid, reducing the expense of achieving a degree.

Why Earn Your Online Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy?

Many job opportunities can be pursued with a degree in international relations, and many have high salaries. In the upper end of the salary range, they can be near or over $100,000 a year.

If the field of international relations interests you, the work opportunities and salaries are a great reason to earn your online degree.

Is a Master's Degree in International Relations Useful?

Earning a master's degree in any subject can lead to better job prospects and higher earning potential. If a graduate would have access to better career opportunities in their field if they had a master's degree, then pursuing graduate studies in international relations would be very useful.

Is International Relations a Hard Degree?

Whether international relations are difficult or not will depend on the strengths of the individual. Here are some of the common curriculum points of international relations programs:

• World History
• Political Science
• Foreign Languages
• Methods of Research

If these are areas that you find difficult, you may struggle in an international relations program.

What Can I Do with a Degree in Global Security and International Affairs?

A degree in international relations, global security, and international affairs can lead to many different positions, depending on your career goals.

Some potential careers with this kind of degree include:

• Intelligence analyst
• Foreign service officer
• Economic analyst
• Interpreter

What Are the Best Minors To Do With an International Affairs Major?

Popular minors to earn with an international affairs major include minors in:

• Political science
• Linguistics
• Economics
• International business

For students interested in working as an interpreter, pairing an international relations degree with a foreign language minor can be very beneficial.