Requirements for Major in Foreign Affairs

This program consists of 30 credits of course work in the Department of Politics plus 12 hours of related coursework, as specified below. 

• Prerequisite

Three credits in any GFA course with a grade of “C” or better, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0. These three hours count toward the total hours required for the major.

• Distribution Requirement

We strongly encourage majors to take this distribution requirement by the end of their third year.

• American Politics - three credits
• Comparative Politics - three credits
• International Relations - three credits
• Political Theory - three credits

• Area Courses

Six credits in a pair of courses which specialize in one area of the world, of which three should be in Comparative Politics and three in International Relations. Area courses may deal with part or all of Latin America, Western Europe, Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Africa, or Eastern Europe and Russia.

• Specialization

Six additional credits in International Relations and/or Comparative Politics.

• Electives

The remaining six credits required for the Foreign Affairs major may come from departmental offerings in any of the four fields, depending on student interest and objectives.

• Course Level Requirements

Only 9 hours of course work for the major may be offered from among the department's introductory courses (100 level). At least 15 credits of course work in the department must be earned at the 300 level and above. At least 6 of these must be earned at the 400 or 500 level.

• Related Courses

Twelve credits of courses in closely related disciplines such as history, philosophy, the social sicences, and in appropriate cases, in other related subjects, no more than six of which should be at the 100 and 200 levels.

• Transfer of Credit

No advanced placement or dual enrollment credit will count toward the 30 hours of PL coursework required for the major or for related class credit. With the approval of the department, up to six hours of PL transfer credit and up to six hours of related transfer credit (other than the two categories listed above) may count toward the "elective" PL credits. For further details, please see the major "Frequently Asked Questions" document online.

• Distinguished Majors Program

Requires thesis in fourth year and additional upper level courses. See Prof. David Waldner for details.

• Honors Program

A Few outstanding students each year are admitted to this unique program, which involves an intensive weekly seminar in each of the department's four fields. See the Prof. John Echerverri-Gent in room 146 for details.

NOTE: All courses for the major (prerequisite, major courses, & related courses) must be passed with a grade of at least a 'C'.

For further information visit us in Cabell Hall