International Relations and Security Studies Major (BA) and International Relations Minor
In an increasingly global society, the ability to respect and understand a variety of cultures is essential for international business or government work. To prepare you for work in the global world, we offer a major in international relations and security studies, and a minor in international relations.
What Will I Study?
You’ll take classes in economics, history, political science, religion, and sociology. And you choose a geographic area of concentration for more in-depth study.
Foreign language study is important, with one 3-credit hour intermediate language course required (beyond the general foreign language requirement). Some international relations and security studies majors choose to minor or double major in a foreign language.
For majors, a study abroad experience or internship gives you first-hand experience of what you’ve learned about in class.
Your in-class learning becomes even more relevant when you apply it in the European Union or Model United Nations simulations, where you compete against teams from other colleges and universities.
What Kind of Job Can I Get?
International relations and security studies majors often work in:
- Government: Department of Defense, CIA, NSA, congressional staff
- International business, abroad or in the United States
- International law
- Humanitarian non-profit groups
- Teaching or research
What Are Some of Our Graduates Doing?
- Special Agent, US Department of Homeland Security
- Manager, Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting, AmeriCares Foundation
- Special Assistant to the Senior Vice President, American Medical Association
- Senior Manager – US India Business Council, US Chamber of Commerce
- Intelligence Analyst, US Government
- Graduate Student, Johns Hopkins University
Faculty Contact
David Richards, PhD
Associate Professor of International Relations and Political Science
Chair of the Political Science Department
434.544.8181
richards.d@lynchburg.edu
