Learn Why TROY is Among the Best Schools for International Relations
Today’s world is becoming increasingly interconnected. The ability to interpret and
analyze global trends and concepts and understand other cultures, is of greater importance
now than ever before. Troy University’s Master of Science in International Relations
(MSIR) program prepares students to be successful and competitive in the global arena.
One of the largest international relations graduate studies program in the United States, TROY’s MSIR program offers students of diverse backgrounds and undergraduate degrees the opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of the international political and economic trends and activities that shape and define the world in which we live and work.
A Skill Set for a Global Environment
TROY’s MSIR program is a 12-course, 36-credit-hour program that will engage you with a diverse curriculum covering history, regional studies comparative government, foreign policy studies, political economy, geography, conflict management, national security, international organization and law, intercultural relations and developing states.
You will gain a wide-ranging appreciation for the political, historical, cultural, economic and geographical factors that affect international relations and emerge from the program with the analytical and theoretical skills necessary for understanding and evaluating the impact of global and national issues on world events.
Applications & Admissions
Candidates for admission must have a baccalaureate degree in any subject area from a regionally accredited college or university. There are no prerequisite course requirements.
Students with undergraduate degrees in areas not included in the curriculum are encouraged to inquire about the program. Graduates of the Master of Science in International Relations program include individuals with undergraduate degrees in the social sciences and areas such as English, foreign language, engineering, chemistry, mathematics, psychology, education, and business administration.
International Relations Degree Concentrations
Students can choose one of three areas of concentration – global studies, national security affairs or regional affairs.
The program will prepare students for positions in government service and supporting activities, public and non-profit management and research and the military. It can also be an excellent mid-career enhancement for those seeking advancement in their current careers and those who wish to pursue doctoral studies in international relations and related fields or professional education such as law school.
Degree Options
The breadth of the global studies concentration is ideal for anyone looking to expand their overall international focus. This could include people already working in government services or international trade looking to advance in their careers, or professionals who want to pursue opportunities with global companies, even those based in the United States.
Program Locations
- Troy Campus
- TROY Online
- Ft. Moore (formerly Ft. Benning), GA^^
- Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan^^
- Misawa AFB, Japan^^
- Osan AB, Korea^^
- Camp Humphreys, Pyongtek, Korea^^
^^ Offered as blended program. A blended program combines both online and face-to-face courses in the required program of study.
The breadth of the global studies concentration is ideal for anyone looking to expand their overall international focus. This could include people already working in government services or international trade looking to advance in their careers, or professionals who want to pursue opportunities with global companies, even those based in the United States.
Program Locations
- Troy Campus
The national security/international affairs concentration is suited for MSIR students interested primarily in intelligence and security work. The concentration encompasses topics from United States military history to contemporary foreign policy to Arctic security to cyberwarfare.
Program Locations
- Troy Campus
- TROY Online
- Ft. Moore (formerly Ft. Benning), GA^^
- Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan^^
- Misawa AFB, Japan^^
- Osan AB, Korea^^
- Camp Humphreys, Pyongtek, Korea^^
^^ Offered as blended program. A blended program combines both online and face-to-face courses in the required program of study.
The national security/international affairs concentration is suited for MSIR students interested primarily in intelligence and security work. The concentration encompasses topics from United States military history to contemporary foreign policy to Arctic security to cyberwarfare.
Program Locations
- Troy Campus
Specialized global knowledge can take a student far — literally. The regional affairs concentration allows TROY students to focus studies in Latin America, Europe, Asia, or the Middle East/North Africa. With the ability to dive deeper into one region of the world, this concentration might also suit students looking to pursue a Ph.D. and eventually teach and do academic research.
Program Locations
- Troy Campus
- TROY Online
- Ft. Moore (formerly Ft. Benning), GA^^
- Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan^^
- Misawa AFB, Japan^^
- Osan AB, Korea^^
- Camp Humphreys, Pyongtek, Korea^^
^^ Offered as blended program. A blended program combines both online and face-to-face courses in the required program of study.
Specialized global knowledge can take a student far — literally. The regional affairs concentration allows TROY students to focus studies in Latin America, Europe, Asia, or the Middle East/North Africa. With the ability to dive deeper into one region of the world, this concentration might also suit students looking to pursue a Ph.D. and eventually teach and do academic research.
Program Locations
- Troy Campus
“The best instruction I have received was at Troy. The readings were not fringe, but important in the field, and the quantity of work was reasonable for a person working full time and going to school. The MSIR program provides a good grounding in the theories of international relations, a survey of the field, and research methods. The fact that it has difficult exit exams is a plus, because you will leave knowing the field and prepared for future academic work.”
Greg Olsen | MS in International Relations '17
International Relations Curriculum & Coursework
While specific courses may vary from year to year, coursework may include but is not limited to:
- Introduction to International Relations
- Research Methods in International Relations
- International Political Economy
- Theory and Ideology of International Relations
In addition, each concentration program requires a unique set of coursework. Please consult the Academic Catalog for each concentration for the most up-to-date information on course requirements.
Careers in International Relations
The program prepares you for positions in government service and supporting activities, public and nonprofit management and research and the military. It can also be an excellent mid-career enhancement for those seeking advancement in their current careers and those who wish to pursue doctoral studies in international relations and related fields or professional education such as law school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diplomats help to protect their home country’s citizens by developing and repairing relationships between nations.
A few examples of what you can do with an international relations degree include: policy officer, public affairs consultant, researcher, nonprofit manager, international business consultant, international aid worker, political analyst, and intelligence analyst
The most common route to becoming a diplomat is obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in majors like international relations, political science, sociology, and foreign policy.
Yes, some of the most common international relations-related jobs take graduates into foreign service and diplomacy. The United States Foreign Service is the primary personnel agency for the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. embassies in other nations. According to the State Department, Foreign Service Officers can choose one of five career tracks: consular, economic, management, political, and public diplomacy.
International relations is about developing “a global awareness of how different nation-states interact with each other."
In practice, international relations can involve diplomacy, peace-building and military aid. As an academic area of study, international relations combines disciplines such as history, political science, economics, geography and even computer science. Looking at more specific topics, global studies students also focus on wars and conflicts, colonialism and terrorism, major social movements, and foreign policy and law.
Full-time students can complete the degree in a year. However, a lot of students choose to take about 1 class per term, so they complete the degree in about two years.
Interested in Applying to TROY?
Why Get an International Relations Degree?
