Concentrations

American University's School of International Service is dedicated to developing leaders who are prepared to drive real change in global communities. Along with learning key concepts of international relations, International Relations Online students select one of the specified concentrations of study, which serves to advance their expertise in a specialized field.

Global Security

Explore the dynamics of peace, security, and war, as you learn to prevent, manage, mitigate, and provide solutions to global conflicts.

United States Foreign Policy and National Security

Prepare for a career in foreign policy, defense, or intelligence, by exploring the economic, historical, and political underpinnings of strategic policy formulation.

International Development

Learn to support developing communities through sustainability, political reform, public health, and economic growth.

International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Develop a deeper understanding of global conflict as you learn to apply strategic negotiation tactics and evaluate postconflict landscapes.

Social Enterprise

Prepare to address pressing global issues by learning key leadership skills employed by social entrepreneurs and the what, why, how, and who of global social enterprise. Build the mind-set and skills to create positive change in the world.

Cross-University Courses

As an International Relations Online student, you have the opportunity enroll in online, graduate-level courses from schools affiliated with our technology partner, 2U, Inc.

Courses completed outside of the IR Online curriculum may not be accepted for credit towards your degree without Program Director review and approval. If you wish to explore cross-university course offerings, or transfer credits, contact your Academic Advisor once you enroll in the IR Online program for further information.

Click on a program below to see available courses.¹

With cross-university courses, you can choose from more than 50 courses that go beyond the International Relations Online curriculum, allowing you to expand your expertise in areas of interest that support your personal and professional goals. For example, you may consider courses such as Principles and Practice of Epidemiology from MPH@GW if you are interested in learning how to make a greater impact on public health.

As with the different programs from International Relations Online, including the Master of Arts in International Relations, these courses feature live, online classes taught by university faculty and a low student-to-faculty ratio. They also feature high-quality, immersive coursework that you complete on your own time.

¹ Please note that each university participating in this initiative has its own rules and restrictions regarding the enrollment of International Relations Online students in its courses. For more details, please speak to an admissions counselor or visit our FAQ.