Turn earlier global study into a finished bachelor's
Online International Relations Degree Completion Programs
Your earlier language, history, and economics courses deserve attention when you compare online international relations degree completion programs. Ask how your transfer credits apply to a language sequence, regional study, and advanced theory alongside general education. The choices below include International Relations, International Politics, and International and Global Studies awards. Their related titles cover different structures, so request an evaluation for the exact degree you select.
Language and Regional Study Can Shape the Remaining Degree
International relations degree completion programs are easier to compare when you separate the major, its concentration or option, and supporting language study. A cluster of accepted electives does not automatically satisfy all three parts.
This shortlist includes 13 online degree offerings at 13 colleges. Compare transfer credit policies with the requirements of your chosen major. Check each program’s schedule and any laboratory, fieldwork, or campus commitments before enrolling.
How we select programs
We select online international relations and related bachelor's options with official curricula and transfer entry information. Regional depth, language requirements and advanced research give you specific points to compare. The degree titles remain distinct throughout the guide.
International Experience With An Online OptionOnline
Entry Requirements
Maryville evaluates previous college coursework; the final 30 credits and at least half of required major or minor credits must be earned at Maryville.
SchillerBA in International Relations and Diplomacy
Diplomacy In An International CurriculumOnline
Entry Requirements
Schiller evaluates transfer credit for course equivalency; the transfer review must be completed before enrollment is finalized.
NichollsBA in Political Science, International Politics Concentration
International Politics Within Political ScienceOnline
Online International Relations Degree Programs and Transfer Credit Requirements
Regional Study With a Sequential Theory Requirement
Florida International University
BA in International Relations
OnlineTransfer entry route
FIU organizes international relations around both subject areas and regional knowledge. You'll study international law or organizations, foreign policy or security, political economy and international issues, then complete a sequence in international relations thought and theory. That structure gives an advisor concrete requirements against which to evaluate earlier politics, history or economics courses. An approved international-affairs internship can replace one designated additional course after the other specified distribution areas have been covered.
Before you apply: The two theory courses cannot be taken concurrently. The first requires introductory international relations and three upper-level INR courses, so preserve the sequence when planning your final terms.
Where You Start
Apply through FIU’s undergraduate transfer process and submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended. Additional high school and test-score documents depend on completed credits and English and mathematics preparation.
120 total credits, including the international relations major and other university requirements.
Study Schedule
The degree is fully online, with fall, spring and summer starts.
More About the Curriculum +
Distribution areas:Two 12-credit groups cover international law, organizations, security, political economy, regional study and international issues.
Theory sequence:Development of International Relations Thought precedes Theories of International Relations; the courses cannot be taken concurrently.
Internship option:An approved international-affairs internship can replace a designated additional Group 2 course after the specified distribution areas are covered.
International Politics With a Defined Area of Emphasis
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
BA in International Politics
OnlineTransfer entry route
Penn State World Campus offers a BA in International Politics with options in international relations, national security or international political economy. Each option directs a common political foundation toward a different set of global questions. You'll also complete BA supporting requirements, including foreign-language proficiency. If you're returning with economics, history or regional studies credits, compare how they fit the chosen option and supporting fields before deciding which courses to take next.
Before you apply: The degree requires 123 credits and proficiency through the twelfth-credit level in one foreign language. Courses used in the major require a C or better, so review both grades and course placement.
Where You Start
Apply to Penn State World Campus and submit the academic records required for your admission category, including previous college coursework for review.
Transfer Credits
Prior college coursework is evaluated within the chosen International Politics option and the university's degree requirements.
Degree Requirements
123 total credits, including the selected option, BA requirements and proficiency through the twelfth-credit level in one foreign language.
Study Schedule
Courses are offered fully online; check the published course schedule when planning an option's remaining requirements.
More About the Curriculum +
Academic options:Choose international relations, national security or international political economy within the International Politics BA.
Global study:Course choices address international relations theory, political economy, foreign policy and regional politics.
BA requirements:Foreign-language proficiency and supporting BA coursework accompany the major; major courses require a C or better.
Global Politics With a Required Minor and Language Sequence
University of Central Florida
BA in International and Global Studies
OnlineTransfer entry route
UCF's International and Global Studies BA brings political science together with economics and geography. Required subjects include political methods, macroeconomics, world political geography, comparative politics and international relations. An approved minor supplies a second organized field, while a language sequence develops another part of the degree. That makes this option worth comparing if your earlier credits already span several disciplines and you want to finish a coherent international studies curriculum.
Before you apply: The degree requires an approved minor and four semesters of a foreign language. Have both evaluated alongside the 36-credit major before estimating how much work remains.
Concentrations Followed by a Senior Research Seminar
American Public University System
BA in International Relations and Global Security
OnlineTransfer entry route
American Public University combines an international relations core with a concentration. Choices include comparative politics and area studies, globalization and human security, peacekeeping, Middle Eastern studies and international studies. The core addresses foreign policy, international organizations, development and law. If your earlier coursework focused on a region or policy issue, ask how it fits the concentration you want. A final research seminar draws those courses together into an approved investigation of a global question.
Before you apply: The senior seminar requires at least 106 completed credits and follows all other international relations coursework. Include that prerequisite in the schedule even if many earlier credits transfer.
ASU's International Relations BA emphasizes policy writing, argument and analysis of global developments. Featured courses include Global Politics, Empirical Political Inquiry and Perspectives on International Relations. An elective Policy Design Studio uses the role of an embassy official to explore unfolding events. This is an academic simulation and a distinct course choice, so compare it with the other requirements that remain after transfer. The BA also includes language study, distinguishing it from ASU's international relations BS.
Before you apply: The BA totals 120 credits across 40 classes. Its language requirement differs from the BS's statistics, science and additional track coursework; request an evaluation for the exact award you intend to finish.
Where You Start
General ASU transfer routes include 24 or more transferable credits with a 2.5 GPA, or a qualifying associate degree with a 2.0 GPA. Applicants with 12–23 credits also meet first-year requirements; program-specific criteria may apply.
Transfer Credits
ASU reviews previous academic work against the selected degree and provides transfer course-planning resources.
Degree Requirements
120 total credits across 40 classes, including the International Relations BA's language requirement.
Study Schedule
Online classes commonly run for 7.5 weeks.
More About the Curriculum +
Policy and inquiry:Featured study includes Global Politics, Empirical Political Inquiry and Perspectives on International Relations.
Applied elective:Policy Design Studio uses an embassy-official role to examine policy responses to unfolding events.
BA distinction:The BA includes language study; the alternative BS adds statistics, science-and-society courses and additional track coursework.
Thomas Edison State offers an international studies BA that can bring together coursework from several disciplines. Returning students may use approved classes from other colleges, examinations, and prior learning assessment within an advisor-developed plan. The degree connects global and regional issues with cultural understanding, political analysis, and introductory foreign-language skills.
Before you apply: The interdisciplinary area of study needs close planning with a BA advisor. Ask how each proposed transfer course supports a coherent international studies concentration.
Where You Start
The area of study may include approved courses from other colleges, prior learning assessment, and examinations, planned with a BA advisor.
More About the Curriculum +
Degree Structure:The online BA requires 120 credits.
Interdisciplinary Study:Coursework draws on social, political, cultural, and economic disciplines.
Global And Language Skills:Learning outcomes include globalization analysis and introductory foreign-language communication.
BA in Government, International Relations and Foreign Policy Concentration
OnlineTransfer entry route
Regent places international relations and foreign policy within its government BA. Students examine global problems, American foreign policy, and the relationship between religion and political life through a Christian perspective. Returning students can use transfer review to identify which government foundations and concentration courses remain before choosing a schedule.
Before you apply: This is a government degree with a named concentration. Confirm the prerequisite for American Foreign Policy and how prior government courses apply.
Where You Start
Regent evaluates prior coursework and accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward undergraduate degrees.
Illinois Springfield combines political science, history, economics, communication, and other fields in an online international and global studies BA. Returning students can choose a concentration in diplomacy and international relations or global affairs and development. A civic engagement requirement connects the academic work with organizations addressing international issues.
Before you apply: Arrange the civic engagement component early. The catalog permits an internship alternative to study away, which may better fit an established work schedule.
Where You Start
UIS evaluates prior college coursework for transfer; applicants submit official transcripts through the university’s undergraduate admission process.
New England College offers international relations and diplomacy through online seven-week terms. Its 44-credit major gives returning students a focused course of study within a 120-credit bachelor’s degree, including a senior thesis. A personalized transfer evaluation can clarify how earlier general education and elective coursework contribute to the remaining plan.
Before you apply: Ask how the major’s research coursework prepares you for the senior thesis, and schedule those requirements after the transfer evaluation is complete.
Where You Start
NEC accepts up to 90 transfer credits and provides a personalized evaluation showing how earlier coursework applies.
More About the Curriculum +
Degree Structure:120 credits, including 44 credits in international relations and diplomacy.
Course Format:The degree is fully online with seven-week terms.
Research Finish:The curriculum includes a senior thesis.
Northwest Missouri State offers a global affairs route within political science for students interested in relations between countries and comparative government. The online degree includes focused global affairs coursework and a research seminar. Returning students can compare earlier political science and general education credits with the foundations and electives in the published plan.
Before you apply: The award remains a political science BS with a global affairs focus. Review the concentration requirements separately from the university’s overall transfer allowance.
Where You Start
Applicants with at least 24 transferable hours need a 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA; applicants below that threshold also meet freshman criteria.
More About the Curriculum +
Degree Structure:The program requires 120 credits and advertises up to 90 transfer hours.
Focused Coursework:Global Affairs Foundations account for 18 credits.
Research Seminar:A political science research seminar provides a capstone experience through individual research.
Maryville combines international studies with culture, politics, and foreign-language learning. Students can select a virtual study abroad experience or an internationally focused internship, making the experiential component worth discussing for a return to college. A capstone brings the program together after coursework tailored to the student’s global interests.
Before you apply: Review the foreign-language sequence and Maryville’s final-credit residency rule with an advisor. Both can affect how your earlier coursework translates into a completion schedule.
Where You Start
Maryville evaluates previous college coursework; the final 30 credits and at least half of required major or minor credits must be earned at Maryville.
Schiller’s online international relations and diplomacy BA combines global political subjects with economics, communication, and language study. Its study plan uses American credits alongside European credit equivalents and includes final thesis or project work. Returning students can request a course-equivalency evaluation before committing to the degree’s remaining requirements.
Before you apply: Complete the transfer review before enrollment is finalized. Ask how your previous institution’s credits convert into Schiller’s published American-credit degree structure.
Where You Start
Schiller evaluates transfer credit for course equivalency; the transfer review must be completed before enrollment is finalized.
BA in Political Science, International Politics Concentration
OnlineTransfer entry route
Nicholls offers an international politics concentration within its online political science BA. Students study global issues alongside the wider discipline’s government, theory, and comparative politics foundations. Returning students can use the degree checklist to distinguish transferable lower-level courses from the substantial advanced coursework needed to complete the bachelor’s degree.
Before you apply: The checklist requires 45 upper-level credits. Have an advisor identify those remaining courses before treating a large lower-division transfer total as near completion.
Organize your previous college credits in the degree planner, then take your course list and questions to a school’s transfer advisor. The school’s evaluation determines which credits count toward your degree.
Compare Awards Within International Relations Degree Completion Programs
Penn State's International Politics BA offers international relations, national security and international political economy options. UCF's International and Global Studies BA combines politics with economics and geography, plus a required minor. American Public University's International Relations and Global Security BA instead uses a concentration structure.
Write down the option or concentration you want before requesting a credit evaluation. Earlier regional studies might help one path differently from economics or government coursework, and the advisor needs the intended award to build a useful plan.
Review Language Transfer Credits and Proficiency Requirements
Penn State requires proficiency through the twelfth-credit level in one foreign language. UCF requires four semesters of a foreign language, and ASU's International Relations BA includes language study that distinguishes it from the BS.
Bring records of earlier language courses and ask which transfer credits satisfy the required language sequence. Confirm how the university establishes placement or proficiency, then count any remaining language courses in your schedule. Do not assume several years of informal use automatically satisfy the university's academic requirement.
Leave Room for Advanced Theory and the Senior Seminar
FIU requires Development of International Relations Thought before Theories of International Relations, and the courses cannot be taken concurrently. The first also requires introductory international relations and three upper-level INR courses. American Public University's senior seminar requires 106 completed credits and completion of other international relations coursework.
These are concrete scheduling constraints. Ask which prerequisite requirements transfer, then work forward to the final course. A high total of accepted credits does not remove the required academic sequence.
Questions About International Relations Degree Completion Programs
Do These International Relations Degree Completion Programs Award the Same Degree?+
No. FIU and ASU award International Relations BAs; Penn State awards International Politics; UCF awards International and Global Studies; APU combines International Relations and Global Security. Each listing retains its exact title.
The current International Politics BA lists 123 credits. Its option, supporting BA requirements and foreign-language proficiency belong in the evaluation, so use that actual degree total in a completion scenario.
Can I Complete FIU's Two Theory Courses Together?+
FIU's published major plan states that the two courses cannot be taken concurrently. Development of International Relations Thought must come first and has its own introductory and upper-level prerequisites.
An approved minor is required in the International and Global Studies BA, alongside the major and four-semester language sequence. Ask how earlier coursework fits the specific minor you choose.
How Should I Prepare to Compare International Relations Degree Completion Programs?+
Gather course descriptions for regional study, politics, economics, research methods and language classes. Ask each university to identify the remaining major, supporting requirements and advanced sequence for your selected award.
Program details come from the schools’ own degree, admission, transfer, and tuition pages. Program selection follows the criteria stated above. Each school determines how your previous coursework applies.
