International relations is the study of foreign politics and institutions. Students learn to compare the customs and governments of other countries. They learn international law. They also learn about diplomacy.

It's often said that each year the world gets smaller. How can that be? Is Earth shrinking? No. Isn't the world's population growing? Yes. But with new technology (especially the Internet), people, places, and goods thousands of miles apart suddenly seem like they're next door. Knowing other cultures and languages makes it easier to find your way in the global neighborhood. The study of international relations allows you to understand how different countries work together in the world economy.

In international relations programs, you take courses from many different areas. Common courses are economics, political science, business, history, and anthropology. You learn how the laws and policies of different nations influence each other. You also study specific regions or countries, including how their government runs. You will also study at least one other language. Depending on your interests, you can take courses about specific issues. For example, you could study environmental problems, human rights, and international security.

Many schools offer a bachelor's degree in international relations. Other schools offer concentrations in international relations that you combine with another area of study. Often students double major in international relations and another field. Typically you finish your bachelor's degree in four years.

Several schools offer graduate programs in international relations. Graduate degrees take from two to five years after you finish your bachelor's degree. Most people with graduate degrees in international relations become professors or international policy analysts.