International Relations - B.A. Download to print

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations is the largest interdisciplinary program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Its curriculum provides a well-rounded education for students interested in global issues and the challenge of advanced foreign language coursework. The study of Spanish, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese or Italian is coupled with a broad exposure to the social sciences and humanities approaches to the problems facing the modern world, including human rights, economic development, ethnic conflicts and the role of supranational organizations. Students have the opportunity to study abroad and participate in internships with international organizations through Kent State’s Semester Abroad in Geneva, Switzerland.

Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Program in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Management Leading to the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration Degrees: Students must be International Relations majors and complete their undergraduate coursework in the first three years of study. In addition, students must pass a language proficiency exam, have a cumulative GPA of 3.300 and earn a minimum GMAT score of 525 before being admitted to the M.B.A program. In the fourth year of this combined program, students take graduate business courses that are applicable to the undergraduate degree as electives and to the M.B.A degree as foundation coursework. During the final year, students take advanced graduate business coursework leading to the M.B.A degree.
  

While the best known career opportunity for students in International Relations is diplomacy, graduates find employment in many other fields.  A variety of governmental organizations, such as the State, Commerce and Defense Departments, Homeland Security and national intelligence and security agencies, seek out students with training in International Relations. 

International organizations, such as the United Nations and its affiliated agencies, similarly desire employees with the broad background a baccalaureate degree in International Relations provides.  Non-governmental organizations with interests in refugee assistance, economic development, fair trade, human rights and immigration regularly hire students with an International Relations degree.

Private sector positions are available in financial, research and lobbying firms and in multi-national corporations with business interests around the globe.

Recent graduates with degrees in International Relations often apply to serve in the Peace Corps, an agency of the United States government which provides economic and social development assistance to developing countries and their citizens around the world.  International organizations and corporations often seek out individuals who have had this worthwhile and rewarding experience abroad.

The undergraduate International Relations degree also prepares students for the rigors of graduate school in a wide range of areas including international affairs, political science, public policy, economic development and business management.  Additionally many graduates go on to pursue law degrees with a focus on international law
 

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Students most likely to be admitted and succeed at the Kent Campus are those who have graduated with at least 16 units of the recommended college preparatory curriculum in high school, who have achieved a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), and whose composite ACT score is 21 or better (980 combined critical reading and math SAT score). For more information on admissions, visit the Admissions website for new freshmen.

General Admissions for Transfer Students: Generally, a transfer applicant who has taken 12 or more semester hours with a college cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted. An applicant who has taken fewer than 12 semester hours will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records. For more information on admissions, visit the Admissions website for transfer students.

Minimum 121 total credit hours  and  42 upper-division hours for graduation. Minimum 2.000 GPA overall and 2.000 GPA in major required for graduation.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of economics, politics, geography and history.

2. Have a minimum of fifth-semester proficiency in one modern foreign language specialization.

Kent State University’s Semester Abroad in Geneva, Switzerland
 

Amnesty International; International Socialist Organization, KSU Chapter
 

Political Science (M.A.)