The international relations experts that represent Idaho’s companies and government agencies pave the path towards strong economic and diplomatic relationships between the state and foreign nations around the world. The economic gains from this international outreach are crucial to Idaho’s economy, as more than 13,400 Idaho residents hold jobs related to the export of merchandise around the globe.
While the international initiatives carried out by Idaho’s state and municipal government, nongovernmental organizations, and private companies have obvious financial benefits for the state; their impact extends well beyond the economy to include vital diplomatic and humanitarian work.
For example, in April 2015, Idaho U.S. Senator Ben Cardin introduced a resolution that offered support the people of Nepal, who had just experienced a deadly earthquake. Through the resolution, the United States helped Nepal’s men and women rebuild and repair their communities.
In an ongoing program, the Department of State oversees a partnership program between the Idaho National Guard and Cambodia. Through the collaboration between nations, the United States and Cambodia have exchanged knowledge in areas ranging from nuclear disaster recovery to vehicle maintenance and logistics.
The importance of the aforementioned programs demonstrates the value of international relations specialists in the world of trade and diplomacy. With the right motivations and an education in international studies, men and women of Idaho can enjoy a career that promotes the well-being of their fellow statesmen, as well as people and nations around the world.
Choosing the Right Degree for a Career in International Relations
A degree in a major related to international relations opens the door to students looking to establish a career diplomacy, global security, international development and many other areas.
Whether in the government, nonprofit, or private sector, international relations careers can lead to collaboration with some of the world’s most prestigious organizations, including:
- United Nations
- NATO
- European Union
- Peace Corps
- Amnesty International.
To prepare students for these careers, programs implement a mix of liberal arts and specialized coursework. In fact, many programs allow and even require students to customize their degree to fit their personal career goals. In addition, many schools require students to participate in study-abroad programs, exposing them to international culture and ideas first-hand.
Many programs allow students to take classes online, either exclusively or in combination with on-site coursework. Working professionals often find this option to be more convenient, because it allows them the flexibility to pursue a degree while managing their current careers.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in International Relations
Bachelor’s degree programs require students to take base courses in liberal arts while allowing students to choose track-specific courses. Through the study of areas such as economics, languages, communications, conflict, and political science, just to name a few – bachelor’s degree programs prepare students for the broad challenges of international relations work while honing in on students’ specific goals.
Examples of bachelor’s degrees in the field include:
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in International Affairs
- Bachelor of Science in Diplomacy
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Intelligence Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy
- Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Different tracks within bachelor’s degree programs give students the flexibility to choose a specific area of study. A few examples of these tracks include:
- World History Track
- Security Studies Track
- Science, Technology, and the Environment Track
- Economics, Business, and Politics Track
- International Systems and World Order Track
- Europe Track
- Latin America Track
- Muslim World Track
- Asia Track
- Culture, Media, and the Arts Track
- Theory and Policy Track
A variety of available track types means an equally diverse offering of courses. A few examples of track-specific courses include:
Environment and Development Track
- United States Environmental Policy
- History of Genocide
- Drugs and Security in the Americas
- Diplomatic Practice
- Urban Ecology
- Economics of Less-Developed Regions
- World Regional Geography
- Islam and Politics
International Economics, Business, and Politics Track
- Economics of Less-Developed Regions
- Governing Crises: The Political Economy of Financial Booms and Busts
- Southeast Asia in World Politics
- International Political Economy
- Africa and Globalization: Opportunities and Obstacles
- Sociology of Market Transitions
International Systems and World Order Track
- History of Genocide
- Europe and International Relations
- Nuclear Security
- Introduction to Security Studies
- International Conflicts and Cooperation
Regional Politics and Cultural Anthropology Track
- Ethnicity and Identity
- Sex and Gender in Anthropological Perspective
- Peoples and Cultures of Africa
- Power and Society in the Middle East
- Reconstructing the African Past
- Modern History and Geopolitics of the Caucasus
Africa and the Middle East Track
- Anthropology of Muslim Cultures and Politics
- Religious Fundamentalism in Anthropological Perspective
- Introduction to India and South Asia
- Modern Armenian History and Literature
- Globalization and World Poverty
- Africa in International Politics
- US-Pakistan Relations
Master’s Degree Programs in International Relations
Master’s degree programs in international relations prepare students for some of the most vital foreign outreach careers related to diplomacy, global security, international development and more.
Admission to these programs requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and often a 3.0 GPA or higher during undergraduate studies. Additionally, some schools require strong GRE and TOEFL scores Master’s degrees in international relations include, but are not limited to:
- Master of Arts in International Relations
- Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations
- Master of Arts in Global Studies
- Master of Arts in International Relations and European Studies
- Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis
- Master of International Commerce and Policy (ICP)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Science in International Trade
- Master of Science in Global Affairs
While all programs require students to complete core coursework, many students take courses related to their area of specialization. These areas include:
- Foreign policy
- International negotiation and conflict resolution
- Global security
- International development
Foundational courses in international relations master’s programs give students a broad education in the field. These courses may be related to subject matters such as:
- Global governance
- Intercultural communication
- International history
- International economics
Courses related to a student’s area of specialty go in-depth on historic and modern issues relevant to international relations. The in-depth knowledge graduate students come away with prepares them for specific careers in the international relations field. Examples of courses related to specific specialty areas include:
Global Security
- The American Way of War
- Security from Inside the State
- American Political Development
- Energy and Environmental Security
- Conflict Assessment and Prevention
- Big Data Analytics: Tools and Techniques
International Development
- Social Policy and Development
- Global Economy and Sustainable Development
- Ways of Knowing and Sustainable Livelihoods
- Capstone Workshop in Development Practice
- Empirical Analysis
International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- International Mediation
- Conflict Resolution Practice
- Gender, Culture and Conflict in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
- Advanced Development and Conflict Resolution
- Post-War Transitions
- The Art of International Negotiation
The U.S. government, nongovernmental organizations, and private companies often employ graduates of these programs. A few of the different career path a Master of International Relations may pursue:
- Diplomatic Services Operational Officer
- International Lawyer
- Intelligence Analyst
- International Contracts and Grants Specialist
- International Trade Analyst
- Foreign Service Facility Manager
- Ombudsmen
- Journalist
- Immigration Specialist
Idaho’s Contribution to an Improved International Landscape
Idaho’s Department of Commerce stimulates international trade through organizing international trade missions and helping companies obtain proper licensing to import and export goods around the world. The Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission, which couples the talents of research experts and private sector gurus, pushes the state’s technological capabilities, allowing Idaho’s diplomats to bring technological innovation to stakeholders around the world.
Lead by Senator James E. Risch, the Boise Committee on Foreign Relations handles the city’s international outreach. Additionally, the state is home to a number of nonprofit organizations that conduct international humanitarian initiatives. An example of these efforts can be seen in the International Rescue Committee’s Family Friendship Program, which matches American families with foreign refugee families to help the refugee families better acclimate to life in America.
Idaho is home to several state departments and nonprofit organizations that work to foster relationships between the state and nations around the world. These organizations include, but are not limited to:
State
Nonprofit
- International Rescue Committee in Boise
- Habitat for Humanity Idaho Falls Area
- Idaho Office for Refugees
- Boise Committee on Foreign Relations