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Kennedy Center Majors & Minors
International Relations
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Academic Program

IR Plan of Study

  • Introduction: 4 classes in economics, political science, and geography
  • Methods core: 3-4 classes in math, statistics, and political research
  • Economics core: 3 classes
  • Political science core: 3 classes
  • Capstone research project: 1 class
  • Foreign language: 5-6 semesters (or a language challenge exam)
  • Specialization: 4 courses on a region (Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, Africa) or theme (political economy, development, international politics)

IR Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions About IR

How can I find out when a particular class will be taught?

For most core classes, projected course availability is listed in the “Requirements at a Glance” document (above). You can also check this spreadsheet that shows when classes have been taught in past years: IR Classes Taught. In many cases, you will need to contact the professor who teaches that class to find out when he or she plans to teach it again.

Where can I learn more about majoring in International Relations?

Interested students should meet with either the International Relations faculty coordinator, Prof. Scott Cooper (scott_cooper@byu.edu), or one of the counselors at the Kennedy Center Advisement office (273 HRCB).

How do I declare a major in International Relations?

To declare this major, follow these steps. For additional information, please visit Kennedy Center Advisement, visit us in 273 HRCB, call (801) 422-3548, or email kennedy_advisement@byu.edu.

What knowledge and skills may I expect to gain as an International Relations major?

IR majors develop a broad knowledge base about world politics. You will gain substantial factual knowledge about international trends and events related to politics, economics, geography, and history. You will also learn to analyze world politics using key theoretical concepts and ideas from multiple disciplines. IR majors also develop a strong understanding of foreign cultures and a heightened ability to work with people across the world.

IR majors also develop a broad, unique set of skills:

  • Excellent writing
  • Advanced statistical analysis
  • Critical reading
  • Analytical thinking
  • Foreign language competency

For the official expected Learning Outcomes for the major, click here.

Is there a minor in International Relations?

No, but you can minor in Political Science, Economics, History, Geography, Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Middle East Studies-Arabic, a foreign language, or any of the other Kennedy Center minors. Any of them will give you a useful introduction to the field of International Relations.

Should I get a minor with my International Relations major?

The IR major is already a time-consuming major that requires you to obtain a multi-disciplinary skill set -- so you do not need to have a minor. However, if you do desire a minor, here are two paths to think about:

  • If you have mastered one of the university’s main languages, you could earn a minor in that language to build your skills further. You could also earn a BYU language certificate.
  • You could also earn a minor that is noticeably different from IR. For example, a minor in Business or Statistics or Public Health or Communications could show employers or grad schools that your skills are even broader than expected.

What if I don’t like math or haven’t taken math classes in a few years?

Quantitative reasoning skills are central to the IR major, and a solid math foundation is necessary for our economics and statistics courses. However, lots of math-phobic freshmen find that they are very successful in IR. Many even end up specializing in the economic side of IR and report how grateful they are for the skills they developed in the program. Consider taking the Math Refresher Course offered by the College of Engineering.