Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in International Studies

International studies, also known as international relations, or global studies is the study of how nations, corporations, and other actors interact with one another on the world stage. Students pursuing a degree in international studies may study a wide range of topics including international relations theory, foreign policy analysis, global development, and economics. Students can earn associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in international studies.

These degrees are multi-disciplinary and are designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in government, business, education, and the non-profit sector. Whether you are interested in diplomacy, security, or global business, you can find a program that suits your needs.

Online Associate Degrees in International Studies

Online associate degrees in international studies are designed to give students a basic grounding in the field in order to prepare them for a bachelor's degree program. Students have a chance to study key areas of the field including economics, history, politics, and foreign languages. Programs like these typically include between 60 and 90 credits and take about two years to complete.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in International Studies

A bachelor's degree is generally considered essential for an entry-level career in international studies. These degree programs are also known as global studies or international relations degrees. Most online degree programs offer a degree of customization to students by offering concentrations and specializations as well as a range of elective courses to supplement a required core curriculum.

Online Master's Degrees in International Studies

A master's degree program offers students the opportunity to continue to refine their studies in the field. Degrees at this level may include a Master of Arts in International Relations, a Master of Science in Global Studies and International Relations or a Master of Arts in Diplomacy. These programs may include coursework in globalization, international conflict, and regionally focused studies; most also include a thesis and a field experience.

Online Doctorates in International Studies

Doctoral programs in international studies are aimed at professionals in the field who want to develop their research skills with a focus on a specific region of interest. Because these programs often feature a range of in-person components, there are few online options in this field, but many on-campus options. These degrees often offer concentrations for further specialization; you might find them in areas like peace and conflict resolution, development studies and international security. Students typically must meet the program's foreign language requirements and then complete an independent dissertation project.

Online Certificates in International Studies

There are many online certificate programs in international studies. These programs are typically aimed at post-graduate professionals seeking more advanced training in their area of expertise, or who wish to add international relations training to their own pre-existing skills sets. These programs usually require 4 courses to complete and can be tailored to the student's interests and needs. Depending on how many courses you choose to take at a time, a certificate program in international studies could take around a year.

International studies may be offered as a concentration within another program, such as one in business or public administration. However, there are some specializations and concentrations in international studies, and they can be thematic or geographic. That is to say, they're often either focused on a specific topic within the field or a global region.

Examples of possible concentrations include:

• Asian Studies
• Comparative Politics
• European Studies
• Globalization and Human Security

Students seeking an international studies degree follow a broad, multi-disciplinary curriculum. They may take courses in economics, history, security studies, and area studies. International studies programs require that students study a foreign language through at least two years.

Typical course titles and descriptions include:

Source: School websites

Many programs also either require or encourage students to participate in internships or study-abroad opportunities to expand their professional experience or contacts as well as their expertise in the field.

Online bachelor's degrees in international studies typically require 120 credit hours of course work over a four-year program. These hours are divided between specific major requirements, general education courses, and electives. Students may be able to shorten this time by taking summer courses or transferring credits from an associate's degree.

A university's accreditation is an important measure of its quality. Accreditation is overseen by the Department of Education (DoE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); these agencies approve accrediting bodies like the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

The federal government requires a student to be enrolled in an accredited university to receive financial aid, so be sure to find an online degree program from an accredited school.

Those wishing to pursue a career in Foreign Service with the U.S. government could consider taking the Foreign Service Officer Test. This test, administered by the U.S. State Department, is the basic qualifying exam for the Foreign Service. It tests applicants on a wide range of topics including history, government, technology, English expression, and situational responses.

A degree in international studies prepares students for a wide range of careers in government, business, academia, and non-profit organizations.

Sources: *U.S. Department of State, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ***USAID, and ****Peace Corps

In the global economy, businesses frequently need the expertise of individuals trained in international relations. Many international studies programs offer courses in international business and economics, and knowledge of foreign languages is incredibly valuable to businesses in the modern world. Examine these articles for a more in-depth look at careers in International Business and International Law career options.

There are also numerous free online courses in International Business you can take to supplement your degree. These will help you develop valuable skills for a variety of careers, but they typically do not lead to a degree or college credit.

How to Become a Foreign Service Officer

Foreign service officers work for the State Department and are the face of the United States' government all over the world. They serve in embassies, consulates, and a variety of other diplomatic missions to support American interests around the globe. Foreign service officers must be prepared to spend most of their careers overseas State Department has identified 13 key dimensions to a successful foreign service officer candidate. These are:

• Composure
• Cultural Adaptability
• Experience and Motivation
• Information Integration and Analysis
• Initiative and Leadership
• Judgement
• Objectivity and Integrity
• Oral Communication
• Planning and Organization
• Resourcefulness
• Working with Others
• Written Communication
• Quantitative Analysis

The Foreign Service Officer Test is designed to identify individuals who exhibit these traits and skills. Check out these articles for more information on how to become a foreign service officer or how to become a diplomat.

How to Become a Foreign Aid Worker

Foreign aid workers work all over the globe providing a wide range of services to underserved communities. Organizations such as USAID and the Peace Corps offer a variety of opportunities for work for highly motivated individuals. Foreign aid workers range from recent graduates to experienced professionals, they can be teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, or administrators but they all share a passion for providing humanitarian aid to those less fortunate. Language skills are a tremendous asset to foreign aid workers, as are leadership, organization, and determination. Here, you can learn more about how to become a foreign aid worker.

Students have several options for financial aid when pursuing an online degree in international studies. These include federal and private loans, merit and need-based scholarships, grants, federal work-study programs, and other tuition assistance options.

The first step to gaining financial aid is to complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The FAFSA is used to determine your financial eligibility for federal loans, grants, and need-based scholarships.

In addition, students who go on to work for the Peace Corps may be eligible for student loan forgiveness or deferment.

Students in international studies programs may also be eligible for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships. These are fellowships offered by the federal government to encourage the study of critical languages. These fellowships are usually available to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Students in international studies may also be eligible for a variety of scholarships. Most online programs have a scholarship finder tool that can be used to identify possible scholarships. Some examples of third-party scholarships include the Boren Scholarship and the CIA undergraduate scholarship program.

• The Boren Scholarship funds study abroad programs for undergraduate students studying world regions critical to U.S. interests students must make a commitment to work for the U.S. government for at least one year after graduation.
• The CIA undergraduate scholarship is a needs-based program; students attending an accredited full-time university can receive tuition assistance and the opportunity to work at CIA headquarters during summer breaks, gaining valuable experience and training.

There are several factors to keep in mind when choosing an online international studies program including cost, flexibility, the types of courses offered, time commitment, and career networking opportunities.

Students should keep in mind what they want to get out of their program. Because international studies degrees have such a flexible curriculum, a student's course of study can be custom-tailored to their interests. Are you more interested in government work or international business? In political science or in security and intelligence? When you are choosing between programs, look at their course offerings and concentrations. You might ask yourself: does this program offer the courses and training to prepare me for the career I want to pursue after graduation?

Students should also keep in mind the cost of various programs. Online international studies degrees are offered by both public and private universities. Students should keep in mind the differences between in-state and out of state tuition costs when comparing programs.