Introduction to International Relations
Covers the fundamental theories and concepts of international relations, including power, sovereignty, and diplomacy.
Difficulty
Moderately challenging
Students rate International Relations 3.4/5 for difficulty across 7 ratings.
Average difficultyBased on 7 students across 3 schools.View review makeup
3.4/ 5
Share of students at each rating
Class-year breakdown needs more responses.It appears after at least two class years have 5 difficulty ratings each.
What makes this major demanding?
Worth it?
86% would recommend it
Based on 7 reviews across 3 schools
What students say about the payoff
Compare International Relations with other majors
Preparing the evidence map…
Open full comparison What you will study and do
Curriculum and careers
International Relations is a multidisciplinary major focusing on global politics, economics, and cultural exchanges. Students learn about diplomacy, international law, and global conflict resolution, preparing them for careers in government, NGOs, and multinational organizations.
Core course themes
Comparative Politics
Examines different political systems and governments, comparing their structures, processes, and policies.
International Law
Focuses on the rules and principles that govern the relations and interactions between states and other international entities.
Global Economics
Explores economic interactions on a global scale, including trade, finance, and development issues.
Conflict and Security
Analyzes the causes and consequences of international conflicts and the strategies for conflict resolution and peacekeeping.
Foreign Policy Analysis
Studies the decision-making processes behind a country's foreign policy and its implementation on the global stage.
Common roles
- Diplomat
- Policy Analyst
- International Consultant
- Foreign Service Officer
- NGO Program Manager
Why salary figures are not shownSalary data appears only when its source, geography, occupation mapping, and date can be verified.
International Relations by school
Scores account for sample sizePreparing school differences…
Community
Big questions in International Relations
Go beyond ratings and ask students about the decisions, tradeoffs, and experiences that matter to you.
Loading community questions…
Student reviews
MixedCareers & next steps
IR is a decent major for transitioning to a specific policy area in grad school or PhD. By itself it is a hybrid major with no definitive structure of what topics or regions to focus on - e.g. I chose a history based regional focus on East Asia. However, learning IR from start (undergrad) to finish (Master’s or PhD) may limit career prospects to think tanks and academia. To get into places like World Bank, UN, and IMF I would recommend shifting gears to a more specific practice (business policy, Econ, environment, energy, urban, etc.) or acquire skills through CPA, CFA, or FRM.
Jul 2025
PositiveCourses & teaching
Good major either if your interested in International relations or cyber security. Focuses a lot of digital forensics since thats what it was made for originally. Great professors, the professors who made this major as currently teaching its main courses. Lots of options to spec into other cyber options or International relations. Lots of companies are aware of the DF programs in USC's Intelligence and Cyber Operations major so it's not difficult to network at all. Does require a lot of work, but it's not difficult in the traditional sense.
Oct 2025
PositiveEnjoyment & fit
I enjoyed the IR/international studies/global studies major as an undergraduate. It provided me with the toolkit and knowledge to better understand the world. Although I sometimes would hope that I can have trained in technical/computational/scientific skills that can better support my career/jobs.
Jul 2025
MixedCareers & next steps
The major can be prepped for Law School but not really career oriented…. Professors at usc is amazing tho
Oct 2025
PositiveEnjoyment & fit
i just just transferred here but i really love my major so far. i feel so refreshed learning about new things every day, and even though its a challenge getting the basics down as someone who is new to the major, im excited to tackle it
Sep 2025
PositiveCourses & teaching
This is about intelligence and cyber operations, but IR is the closest comparison. It is about cybersecurity and information security.
Oct 2025
PositiveCareers & next steps
I really like international relations! It allows me to open the door to grad programs like law school!
Sep 2025
Make the next decision
Compare the evidence—or improve it.
Put International Relations beside another major, or share the experience future students need.