Adelphi will now offer a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations degree for students interested in taking a deep dive into world politics and issues. The new undergraduate program is designed to equip students with analytical tools and interdisciplinary perspectives to make sense of the rapidly changing world and prepare them for a career in diplomacy, international business, law and advocacy, and global public policy.
“With the uncertainties of a global pandemic and the attendant economic contractions in trade, the emerging new fault lines in geopolitics, and the social protests on every continent over racial, social and political injustice, there has never been a more important time to study international relations,” said Katie Laatikainen, PhD, professor and director of international studies in Adelphi’s political science department.
Experiential learning is a major part of international relations education at Adelphi. Interdisciplinary in approach but anchored in political science, the new program provides strong analytical skills to prepare for success in almost any global career, Dr. Laatikainen notes. Students will broaden their horizons through opportunities beyond the classroom, including study abroad, on-campus guest lectures by experts in the field, and participation in conferences and briefings at the United Nations.
International relations majors can choose from one of three thematic tracks, each culminating in a senior capstone seminar. They include:
- Global Economy:Â Focusing on the global nature of economic interactions and interplay of the public and private sectors across borders, this track prepares students for careers in international business or government affairs.
- Global Politics: Focusing on conflict and cooperation, this track prepares students for a career in diplomacy, international law, foreign service or international organizations.
- Global Development: Focusing on the challenges of development and social justice on the global level, this track prepares students to pursue careers in global advocacy and nongovernmental organizations.
“Our program takes advantage of our location just outside New York City—a crossroad of the global economy and a hub of multilateral diplomacy—to broaden students’ participation in global public policy making,” says Dr. Laatikainen.
Students can land life-changing internships at advocacy organizations, social justice groups, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), businesses and media companies. Recent student placements have included Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, United Nations Department of Global Communications, Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and JPMorgan Chase.
To learn more about Adelphi’s BA in International Relations.