International Relations and Strategy Degree

The challenges facing the world today are not bound by traditional borders. Technological innovation, climate change, and war always impact multiple nations at a time. Likewise, a major program that is not bound by traditional disciplinary boundaries offers the best approach to tackling these challenges.

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Strategy at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., integrates political science, history, economics, geography, and language courses into the study of contemporary global questions.

WHAT MAKES THE KING’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND STRATEGY PROGRAM DIFFERENT?

Our international relations and strategy program helps you explore how international events are shaped by domestic and regional politics. We prepare students to both evaluate and manage issues of global importance.

Our international relations curriculum will enhance your professional development by providing the academic training necessary for related graduate degree programs or careers at global public and private sector organizations.

Here's what makes our program exceptional:

Focus on strategy—Identifying goals and the resources needed to achieve them is a key dimension of decision-making in all aspects of international affairs from culture and economics to politics and the military. As such we not only have a dedicated strategy course, but we also ensure it remains an important theme across all courses within the program.
National Model United Nations (NMUN) engagement—Through the Politics of the United Nations course and the Model UN Club, students participate in speech-giving, negotiating, debating, and resolution writing simulations that mirror the diplomatic exchanges at the United Nations. Over the last decade, multiple King’s Model UN delegates have earned position paper and delegation awards.
Internships that offer practical workplace experience—To ensure our students graduate with marketable workplace skills, they take a career planning course that helps them write a resume and cover letter, search job listing sites, and hone their interviewing skills. Meanwhile, our internship opportunities offer students a taste of the pace and habits required to succeed in an internationally focused workplace.
Leadership training—International relations majors participate in the Emerging Leaders program offered through the Student Affairs Division. Our coursework also helps our students explore the social change model of leadership that uses core values to drive positive change.
Robust language and study abroad programs—In a world with Google translate at your fingertips, do you still need to study a language other than your own? Absolutely! Language courses and study abroad experiences help students develop cultural competencies that heighten their awareness of cultural subtleties and nuances. Speaking to someone in their native language can quite literally open a door to new professional networks.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND STRATEGY DEGREE?

Because the study of international relations and strategy does not have a narrow path to a specific career, the answer often depends on your personal interests and goals. With roots in traditional liberal arts disciplines, our international relations major helps students develop skills that apply to a wide range of career fields, especially critical thinking, effective communication, research, ethical decision making, and qualitative and quantitative analysis.

In addition, the international relations curriculum guides students along a path with multiple experiential learning opportunities that enable them to further hone the skills that lead to professional success, including teamwork, accountability, and adaptability.

Here’s a sampling of positions that are accessible by undergraduates who pursue an international relations degree:

Analyst/researcher at a policy institute (e.g., The Brookings Institution) or federal agency (e.g., CIA, FBI, International Trade Administration)
Staffer for non-governmental organization (e.g., Green Peace, Oxfam America)
Consultant for an international organization (e.g., United Nations, World Bank)
Diplomat or foreign service officer with the U.S. State Department
Journalist, reporting on national security and foreign affairs
Intelligence, defense, or national security specialist

Graduate Study

Since many of our career aspirations require graduate study, we also provide guidance on the appropriate courses, research opportunities, and standardized tests necessary to pursue advanced degrees in business, law, or other related graduate degree programs.

Examples include:

Academic, scholar, or area expert at a college or university
International law practitioner with a private firm or government agency
International trade/business consultant, domestically or abroad