International Relations Major
Learn about global politics, international law, and history to understand the world beyond the classroom.
College of Arts & Sciences | On-Campus
Program Options
As an International Relations student, you’ll gain a more detailed view of your discipline while gaining the intellectual breadth that comes from a liberal arts tradition.
B.A. in International Relations
How do you forge diplomatic alliances? How can political systems better serve a nation’s citizens? Courses in international relations, law, security, political economy, and comparative politics establish a baseline for analyzing the current international political climate and developing forward-looking strategies as you start your career.
International Relations Minor
Bring a global perspective to any major by minoring in International Relations. After taking the same set of core courses as B.A. students, you’ll choose a single elective to examine politics, history, and ongoing social issues.
Human Rights Studies Minor
This minor shows how we can integrate human rights into everyday life to transform institutions and advance initiatives where you live, study, and work. Learn about global perspectives on human rights, and gain an understanding of issues that goes beyond the headlines.
Politics Minor
In this minor, you’ll get a wide-ranging introduction to the field and have the opportunity to delve more deeply into a specific area of political science.
Meet the Faculty
Bringing insights from their research and international experiences into the classroom, department faculty are experts in foreign policy, political economy, human rights, international conflict, and international law, with regional expertise on the politics and international relations of Central and Eastern Europe, Japan, China, and East Asia. Most importantly, they’re skilled educators who have garnered numerous teaching awards.
Debra DeLaet
David E. Maxwell Distinguished Professor of International Affairs; Professor, Political Science
Outside the Classroom
The best way to adopt a global mindset is to experience it first-hand. You’ll have that chance at Drake, with our numerous connections to organizations and institutions doing work around the world.
Washington and Off-Campus Internships
International Relations majors can spend a semester studying in Washington, D.C., including through The Washington Center and the Washington Semester. Or reach out to the world right here in Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city, where you can work for World Food Prize, the Iowa International Center, and refugee assistance organizations.
Study Abroad
We encourage students in any major to study abroad. A semester in another country is especially valuable for International Relations students, as you’ll see classroom lessons unfold in real life thousands of miles from home and have the chance to complete the Global Ambassador Certificate program.
Iowa Caucuses
Every four years, Iowa takes center stage in American politics through our first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. You’ll see the process up close as a student in the Department of Political Science, as you make connections with candidates, campaigns, and media organizations.
Nationally Televised Candidate Debates
Drake has hosted six nationally televised live-broadcast presidential candidate debates during the past five election cycles. Many Drake students get to play a part—either through paid short-term internships or as audience members.
J-Term
Every other year, Professor Caufield leads a January-term travel seminar to Washington, D.C. to expose students to the opening of a new session of Congress or the presidential inauguration. Over two weeks in Washington, the students meet with Drake alumni and contacts in government, media, political party organizations, lobbying and consulting firms, and policy advocacy organizations.
Student Organizations
Participate in a national mock trial competition, publish original research in the student-led Drake Political Review, or organize an event at the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship. International Relations students can also join Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society.
Careers & Skills
By the time you graduate from Drake’s International Relations program, you’ll be culturally adept, historically literate, and intellectually agile. Those skills will serve you in the public sector, government, law, campaigns, journalism, business, nonprofits, advocacy, or education.
Many go on to law school or graduate study, earn Fulbright and Truman scholarships, and serve in the Peace Corps.
Opportunities for International Relations Majors
- Diplomacy
- Military
- Intelligence
- Humanitarian aid
- International law
- Teaching
Skills
- Focus on your discipline through core classes and interdisciplinary electives.
- Develop an expansive intellectual foundation through liberal arts classes and the Drake Curriculum.
- Gain cultural competency and sensitivity through study abroad and foreign language study.
Salary & Growth Outlook
Average annual salary for international development careers in the U.S. in 2025. (ZipRecruiter)
Take the Next Step
Embark on a career that goes beyond borders. Learn more about majoring in International Relations at Drake University.
