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International relations professor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an international relations professor. International relations professors usually study political science, international relations, or international business. 50% of international relations professors hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 95 real international relations professor resumes to see exactly what international relations professor education sections show.
The most common colleges for international relations professors are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online international relations professor courses to help get the education required to be an international relations professor.
What education do you need to become an international relations professor?
What degree do you need to be an international relations professor?
- Bachelor's, 50%
- Master's, 24%
- Doctorate, 16%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become an international relations professor?
- Political Science, 26%
- Sociology, 6%
- Other Majors, 46%
Most common colleges for international relations professors
| International relations professor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 7.41% |
| University of South Florida | 7.41% |
| Northern Arizona University | 7.41% |
| University of Washington | 7.41% |
| Boston University | 7.41% |
Best majors for international relations professors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Political Science | 26.2% |
| 2 | International Relations | 13.8% |
| 3 | International Business | 7.7% |
| 4 | Sociology | 6.2% |
| 5 | Business | 6.2% |
Best colleges for international relations professors
The best colleges for international relations professors are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
An international relations professor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for international relations professors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become international relations professors.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
7. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$58,230
Enrollment
6,600
8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
9. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
20 best online courses for international relations professors
Advertising disclosure
1. Power and Foreign Policy in International Relations
Welcome to the Power and Foreign Policy in International Relations course! This course acquaints you with how power matters in the conduct of international relations and how it affects the strategies and tactics of a nation-state in dealing with other nation-states. It demonstrates the link between a country’s ranking in the international system and the means and methods it adopts to deal with the rest of the world. The course begins with introducing a few concepts about what constitutes power...
2. International Business II
This course, Introduction to the Global Business Environment II, focuses on managing organizations in the international economy. Building on Introduction to the Global Business Environment I, this second course focuses on organizational level and management issues in international settings. The course prepares students with practical as well as research-based knowledge and skills necessary to successfully operating an organizational across borders. This course utilizes an inquiry based approach...
3. Introduction to International Relations
International Relations for beginners: history, theories, states, sovereignty, war, peace, int. organisations, economy...
4. International Politics Mastery: Levels of Analysis
Learn '3 Levels of Analysis' to speak confidently about international problems even without prior university education...
5. Relational Database Design
Have you ever wanted to build a database but don't know where to start? This course will provide you a step-by-step guidance. We are going to start from a raw idea to an implementable relational database. Getting on the path, practicing the real-life mini cases, you will be confident and comfortable with Relational Database Design. Let's get started! Relational Database Design can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on...
6. Fundamentals of International Business
Studying international business is essential for everyone who wants to be a well-rounded modern individual. Understanding the main features of the international business environment, mechanisms of cross-border business activities, and motivations to engage in these activities, will help you to make sense of contemporary business context and navigate yourself in our complex world. This MOOC provides essential knowledge about international business, its key actors and recent trends. It combines...
7. Online International Diplomacy and Protocol Masterclass
Learn the Art and Science behind hosting and attending International Diplomatic and Government Events & Visits...
8. International Project Management - Master Class
Take your project management skills to the next level and learn how to manage international projects...
9. International Business
The International Business specialization is for learners who would like a thorough understanding of international business concepts, tools, and applications. This knowledge can be employed to advance in your current work, to prepare for international jobs and careers, and to generally understand the importance and role of international business practice on globalization and geopolitics. The specialization covers the global context of business, national cultures, human resources, marketing,...
10. International Organizations Management
This course provides an introduction to International Organizations and the United Nations, and explores how business and management tools can be applied in these settings to achieve better, more effective results. With a focus on cross-sector partnerships in a changing world, the course offers you insights into the inner workings of international organizations and the challenges they face today. It will introduce you to effective, state-of-the art management tools and principles to help you...
11. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls
Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...
12. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 3 - Full Study Course
Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 3...
13. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring
Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...
14. Internal Audit: a Guide for Management
Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, Governance, Internal Controls, CIA, Audit Report, Audit Charter, IIA...
15. International Expansion: A Blueprint for Success
An Action Plan to Profitably Expand Your Business Through International Sales and Partnerships...
16. Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Program - (4 hours)
How to manage anger and ensure it does not explode into rage. Enhance your life by building quality relationships...
17. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
18. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 2 - Full Study Course
Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 2...
19. ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Internal Auditor...
20. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 1 - Full Study Course
Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 1...
Top 10 most affordable universities for international relations professors
The most affordable schools for international relations professors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for international relations professors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for international relations professors.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for international relations professors
The hardest universities for international relations professors to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for international relations professors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for international relations professors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
6. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for international relations professors
The easiest schools for international relations professors to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, holy names university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an international relations professor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for international relations professors.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
10. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
Average international relations professor salary by education level
| International relations professor education level | International relations professor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $118,773 |
| Doctorate Degree | $150,405 |
International relations professor education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025