International Relations (BA) 

Learning Outcomess

Upon completion of the program, students should:

• Be able to demonstrate knowledge of key subfields and theories of International Relations as a discipline.
• Be able to identify major actors and institutions of international relations and to know their functions.
• Be able to analyze international issues from perspectives other than their own.
• Be able to display familiarity with foreign cultures and languages.
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Special Requirements

Courses completed with a grade of D+ or below do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.

With permission of the student's advisor, the following courses offered by other areas of study at Webster University may be applied toward the 36 credit hours required in international relations:

Courses in the emphases (International Economics; Migration and Refugee Studies are also considered pre-approved electives for the INTL major. Qualified students may take selected graduate-level courses in international business and international relations as part of an international relations major with permission of the department and the instructor of the course.

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Degree Requirements

A minimum of 128 credit hours consisting of the following:

• 42 required credit hours
• 12 international language credit hours
• Applicable university global citizenship or general education program hours
• Electives

Students are required to complete 42 credit hours within the department, including methods, a research requirement (fulfilled by taking the seminar, senior thesis, or a designated upper-division course), and senior overview. A minimum of 18 credit hours of international relations at Webster University is required. At least 12 credit hours of upper-level (3000 or above) coursework in the department with an international focus must be completed in addition to methods and overview. Note: In Europe, the research requirement and overview is satisfied by the seminar course: INTL 4600.

There is a study residency requirement of at least one term (eight weeks) outside the United States or an international relations practicum in the United States. To satisfy the residency, students may study at one of Webster University’s international campuses or at an approved alternative location. Students unable to study outside the United States must take the international relations practicum (3-6 credit hours), which does not apply to the 420total credit hours.
Students are required to have significant international language experience. This requirement can be met by taking 12 sequential credit hours in an international language or by passing an advanced-level proficiency examination. This requirement will be waived for students whose native language is not English and who are studying in English. Their mastery of English as a second language fulfills the requirement.

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Required Courses

There is a required minimum distribution of coursework as well as the above requirements:

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Emphasis in International Economics (48 hours)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students should:

• Identify the costs and the benefits of the global economy.
• Demonstrate their ability to define and critically analyze economic problems.
• Understand basic macroeconomic and microeconomic concepts.

Requirements

(Note: Completion of this emphasis requires study in St. Louis and/or Geneva.)

Students in St. Louis and Geneva may elect an emphasis in international economics by fulfilling the above core requirements for international relations and structuring their electives and two additional courses around the following:

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Emphasis in Migration and Refugee Studies (48 credit hours)

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students should:

• Be able to demonstrate knowledge of key subfields and theories of International Relations as a discipline.
• Be able to identify major actors and institutions of international relations and to know their functions.
• Be able to analyze international issues from perspectives other than their own.
• Be able to display familiarity with foreign cultures and languages.

Requirements

(Completion of this emphasis requires study in Geneva.)

Students in Geneva may elect an emphasis in migration and refugee studies by fulfilling the above core requirements for international relations and structuring electives and two additional courses around the following:

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