Louisiana’s international relations professionals are vital to the state, conducting global outreach and security efforts that stimulate the economy and contribute to national safety. The economic importance of these efforts is particularly notable, as the number of jobs in Louisiana related to international trade grew 2.5 times faster than the overall rate of job growth in the state between 2004 and 2013. In addition, foreign-owned companies employ some 58,300 workers in Louisiana, highlighting the need for maintaining strong relationships with foreign stakeholders.
The benefits of Louisiana’s foreign outreach extend far beyond the state’s economy, however. Louisiana is the source of foreign outreach initiatives that have included:
- The University of Louisiana at Lafayette was granted $250,000 from the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative to perform collaborative materials research with Dibrugarh University based in Assam, India.
- Louisiana State University participates in collaborative zoology research with the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.
- The Louisiana National Guard partners with Haiti as part of a U.S. Department of State partnership program. The program puts a particular emphasis on natural disaster recovery.
Choosing the Right Degree for a Career in International Relations
Through specialized courses and study abroad options which allow students to gain real-world global perspectives, international relations programs give students the knowledge to work with organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, and the Peace Corps, as well as governmental organizations and private sector corporations. The various options for specialization within these programs gives students the flexibility to pursue specific careers in the field.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in International Relations
Bachelor’s degree programs emphasize liberal arts coursework, with key focus areas including political science, economics, and languages. The interdisciplinary nature of these programs allows students to develop an international perspective relevant to future careers in diplomacy, security analysis, trade relations and much more.
Examples of bachelor’s degrees in the field include:
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in International Affairs
- Bachelor of Science in Diplomacy
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science
- Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy
- Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies
In addition to selecting a relevant major, many bachelor’s programs allow students to minor in a specialized track:
- World History Track
- Security Studies Track
- Europe Track
- Muslim World Track
- Asia Track
- Foreign Policy Track
- Culture, Media, and the Arts Track
- Science, Technology, and the Environment Track
- Economics, Business, and Politics Track
- Regional Politics and Cultural Anthropology Track
- International Systems and World Order Track
Track specialization allows students to take a variety of courses specific to their area of study. Several examples of track-specific courses include:
Regional Politics and Cultural Anthropology Track
- Political Anthropology of the Modern World
- Peoples and Cultures of Africa
- Power and Society in the Middle East
- The Pacific Challenge
- Understanding Modern North Africa
- The Ethnography Of China and Taiwan
- European Politics
- History of the Jews in Russia and Eastern Europe
- Modern Latin America
- Anthropology of Muslim Cultures and Politics
- Modern Japanese Society: Family, School, and Workplace
- Anthropology of Religion
Environment and Development Track
- Taste, Culture, and Power: The Global History of Food
- Nature’s Past: Histories of Environment and Society
- Global Environmental Policy and Negotiation
- Political Economy of the Middle East
- Urban Ecology
- Global Justice
- Development Policy
- Science, Politics, and Climate Change
- Sustainable Energy: Technology, Resources, Society, and Environment
Foreign Policy and Security Studies Track
- American Foreign Policy: Practice and Process
- Nuclear Security
- Drugs and Security in the Americas
- History of Genocide
- Interwar Japan and the Pacific War
- Southeast Asia in World Politics
- Islam and Politics
- Diplomatic Practice
- Intelligence in a Democratic Society
International Economics, Business, and Politics Track
- Sociology of Market Transitions
- Rise of China
- Wealth, Ethics, and Liberty
- Global Governance and International Organization
- Southeast Asia in World Politics
- International Management Policy
- International Political Economy
- Africa and Globalization: Opportunities and Obstacles
Master’s Degree Programs in International Relations
Master’s degree programs in international relations can serve as a bridge to advanced careers in government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. Given the increasing connectedness of the world thanks to the proliferation of technology, students of these programs are often in high demand upon graduation.
Several examples of careers that may require a master’s degree in international relations include:
- Intelligence Analyst
- International Counselor
- Ombudsmen
- Immigration Specialist
- Foreign Service Officer
- International Trade Analyst
- International Lawyer
- Diplomatic Services Operational Officer
- Foreign Service Facility Manager
- Program Specialist for Humanitarian Aide
To obtain admission to graduate programs, students must first complete a bachelor’s degree program from a four-year institution. Some schools require specific degrees along with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Additionally, more competitive schools require students to score highly on the GRE and TOEFL exams.
Examples of master’s degrees in international relations include, but are not limited to:
- Master of International Commerce and Policy (ICP)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Arts (MA) in National Security Studies
- Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Relations
- Master of Arts in Global Studies
- Master of Arts in International Relations
- Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis
- Master of Science in International Trade
- Master of Science in Global Affairs
Along with selecting a major, schools often offer different concentrations with highly specific courses. Just some of these courses correlating with their respective specialization include:
International Development
- Politics of Global Development
- International Development
- Ecology of Agricultural Systems
- Foundations of Economic Development
- Sustainable Development
- Theories and Policies of Development
- Empirical Analysis
- Introduction to Economic Theory
- Survey of Economic Development
- Micropolitics of Development
Global Security
- Causes of War
- American National Security
- Intelligence and War
- Security from Inside the State
- Energy and Environmental Security
- Conflict Assessment and Prevention
- Climate Change and National Security
- Global Political Economy
- The Art & Practice of Intelligence
- Government & Politics
International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Conflict Assessment and Prevention
- International Mediation
- Theories of Conflict and Conflict Resolution
- Post-War Transitions
- Conflict Resolution Practice
- The Art of International Negotiation
- Peace Operations
- Gender, Culture and Conflict in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
- Advanced Development and Conflict Resolution
Louisiana’s Global Impact: Security and Humanitarian Work
Louisiana is home to the New Orleans Sector of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and RAND Corporation, a large NGO focused on global policy. International relations professionals in the state play key roles in each of these important organizations.
- New Orleans Sector of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection – To aid in global security efforts, the sector relies on the expertise of a chief patrol agent, CBP officers, and international relations workers in the sector’s Office of Public Affairs.
- RAND Corporation – To help provide global research and analysis for government agencies, international organizations, and foundations, RAND employs international research analysts, external affairs specialists, and global environmental specialists, along with other international relations professionals. Notably, all RAND employees possess a degree in higher education, with 57% holding doctorate degrees and 34% holding master’s degrees.
Louisiana’s International Relations Resources
In addition to the New Orleans Sector of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the RAND Corporation, Louisiana colleges and universities employ experts on global issues.
Government and NGO
University Departments