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Global Affairs and International Relations, BA
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Global Affairs and International Relations, BA
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Affairs and International Relations explores government policy, processes, political campaigning, political theory, legal studies, and international relations. The degree has a strong liberal arts and research focus designed to prepare students for graduate level training in a variety of disciplines along with entry-level work in a host of disparate fields. This is a broad-spectrum program that introduces students to the general study of the field of global affairs. This program is offered at the San Marcos, Nicaragua campus only and is suited for students who wish to pursue more focused studies in foreign policy, international organizations, war, and diplomacy. Students will examine how governments interact with one another on the world stage, including how nations interact and cooperate in times of peace and times of war, how leaders and countries strategize and make decisions, and how economics interact with politics in order to shape policy outcomes. This program is designed for students with an interest in public policy, international organizations, and foreign affairs, as well as those seeking an academic foundation for work in political campaigns, think tanks, or the legal profession.
Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs and International Relations Overview
Program Objectives
The following objectives are designed to meet Keiser University’s mission and its goals:
- Explain the functions of government in American society and the global community;
- Explain the differences between various government and economic systems;
- Apply a framework for understanding the political, economic, social, historical, and philosophical underpinnings of various political theories;
- Analyze the role of US foreign policy in the world today;
- Analyze the ways in which countries interact in times of war and times of peace;
- Understand the stressors that population, natural resources, and environmental issues have on political frameworks;
- Analyze the role of mass media in the political system;
- Analyze regional tensions and regional powers in order to explain their significance to global relations;
- Analyze how politics and economics interact in order to shape policy outcomes;
- Develop an understanding of APA format and writing in the field of political science
Program Goals
- Students will evaluate the differences between various government and economic systems.
- Students will analyze international government frameworks needed to apply political, economic, social, historical, and philosophical concepts to the study of international relations.
- Students will appraise the stressors that population, natural resources, and environmental issues have on international relations.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the political theories needed to analyze policy and international political actions in times of war and peace.
- Students will effectively express ideas and concepts in writing , research, and analysis in APA.
Prerequisites for Major Courses
Completion of all lower level courses with a C or better.
The following lower division courses, if not taken as part of an associate’s program, must be successfully completed before beginning upper division major courses (Course equivalency is established by the dean of academic affairs from official transcripts received from regionally accredited institutions):
- Environmental Science
- Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
- Macroeconomics
- English Composition II
- International Relations
- College Algebra OR College Mathematics OR Applications of Mathematics
- Political Science
- Intro to Political Theory
- Statistics
Program Highlights
The International Relations concentration offers focused study in foreign policy, international organizations, war, and diplomacy. Students examine how governments strategize and interact on the world stage, exploring both cooperation and conflict. The program emphasizes understanding how economics and politics combine to shape international policy outcomes. Research opportunities allow students to investigate specific areas of international affairs. The curriculum prepares students for graduate study, professional careers in international relations, or law school.
Program Outline
On-Campus
To receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Concentration in International Relations, students must complete 120 credit hours as described below. The length of this program is approximately 40 months (this will vary if a student transfers in credits).
Lower Division Courses
| Lower Division Political Science Major Courses (24.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| Intro to American Government, Comparative Politics & Int’l Relations | 3.0 credit hours |
| Political Science | 3.0 credit hours |
| Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics | 3.0 credit hours |
| Introduction to Political Theory | 3.0 credit hours |
| Politics of the Developing World | 3.0 credit hours |
| US Latin American Relations | 3.0 credit hours |
| Domestic and International | 3.0 credit hours |
| Behavioral/Social Science (6.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| American History Pre 1876 (required) | 3.0 credit hours |
| American History Since 1876 (required) | 3.0 credit hours |
| Communications (3.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| Speech | 3.0 credit hours |
| Computers (3.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Computers | 3.0 credit hours |
| Economics (3.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| Macroeconomics (required) | 3.0 credit hours |
| English (6.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| English Composition I | 3.0 credit hours |
| English Composition II | 3.0 credit hours |
| Humanities/Fine Arts (3.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| American Literature | 3.0 credit hours |
| English Literature | 3.0 credit hours |
| Contemporary World Literature | 3.0 credit hours |
| Mathematics (6.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| College Algebra | 3.0 credit hours |
| College Math | 3.0 credit hours |
| Applications of Mathematics | 3.0 credit hours |
| Statistics (required) | 3.0 credit hours |
| Natural Science (6.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| General Biology | 3.0 credit hours |
| Environmental Science (required) | 3.0 credit hours |
Upper Division Courses
| Upper Division Political Science Major Courses (36.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| American Foreign Policy | 3.0 credit hours |
| Terrorism and Public Safety | 3.0 credit hours |
| Women, Gender and I.R. | 3.0 credit hours |
| International Organizations | 3.0 credit hours |
| Seminar in Political Culture | 3.0 credit hours |
| Undergraduate Research in International Relations | 3.0 credit hours |
| Middle East Foreign Policy | 3.0 credit hours |
| The World Economy | 3.0 credit hours |
| Issues in International Policy | 3.0 credit hours |
| American Constitutional Law | 3.0 credit hours |
| Environmental Politics | 3.0 credit hours |
| Immigration Law | 3.0 credit hours |
| Upper Division Major Electives Courses (15.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| Intro to Public Policy | 3.0 credit hours |
| Mass Media and Politics | 3.0 credit hours |
| The American Presidency | 3.0 credit hours |
| Voting Behavior & Public Opinion | 3.0 credit hours |
| The Campaign Process | 3.0 credit hours |
| Religion and Politics | 3.0 credit hours |
| Intergovernmental Relations | 3.0 credit hours |
| Politics of U.S. Immigration | 3.0 credit hours |
Upper-division electives can also be selected from other courses in Business, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Communications, or other disciplines upon approval of the Program Director and Academic Advisor.
| Upper Division General Education Courses (9.0 credit hours) | |
|---|---|
| Conflict Resolution | 3.0 credit hours |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 credit hours |
| Intermediate Statistics (pre-req STA 2023) | 3.0 credit hours |
Note: All lower division major and general education courses must be successfully completed before upper division courses are undertaken. POS2001 is a prerequisite for ALL courses in the major, both lower division and upper division.
Top 25 university in the country in providing Social Mobility, including being ranked #1 in 2023
(U.S. News & World Report)
#2 Best 4-year graduation rates, private, nonprofit, nonresidential
(2023, The Chronicle of Higher Ed.)
Accredited University
Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), ensuring your education meets rigorous academic standards.
Flexible Learning Options
Study on-campus at Florida locations with one class at a time. Small class sizes create an environment where faculty know students by name and provide individualized support throughout the nursing program.
Financial Services
We guide you through the financial aid process and provide assistance. Grants, scholarships, and financial aid are available for students who qualify to help manage the cost of your education.
This Program is Available at the Following Campuses
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