Online Master’s in International Relations Strategic Leadership in a Connected World
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Degree Options
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Learn to Lead in Global Governance with a Master’s in International Relations Online Degree
Liberty University’s Master of Science (MS) in International Relations degree online is a great option if you enjoy traveling, politics, and communication. Our international relations graduate program helps provide the training needed to maintain positive diplomatic relations with other countries and prevent international conflicts. In this program, you can learn to monitor current events and give your recommendations on public policy. In addition, you can gain a firm understanding of international relations, global security, and governance.
The advanced knowledge and training you receive in this online masters in international relations and diplomacy may benefit you in a wide range of professions. Some of the professions you could pursue include diplomacy, foreign service, federal civil service, international aid and development, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international business, and journalism. Our challenging curriculum can help equip you with the skills needed to become a valuable asset in your global career.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Science (MS) in International Relations.
What Will You Study in the Master’s in International Relations Online Degree Program?
This master’s in international relations degree online can help you pursue a wide range of careers in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. These careers require an understanding of international politics, foreign affairs, international economics, and national security issues. You will study various topics to gain a foundation in international relations. These different disciplines cover history, philosophy, governing structures and processes, comparative politics, and more.
You will also study critical pieces of international organizations and human rights, political economy and international trade, and international security and terrorism. You can learn about the importance of global governance in the contexts of political, military, legal, financial, or humanitarian institutions like the United Nations (UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and more.
Our international relations degree provides training from a Judeo-Christian perspective on international affairs and American foreign policy. The online master’s in international relations can give you a basis for understanding the relationship between U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East. Each course in this degree is grounded in a biblical perspective on government, politics, and diplomacy.
Our online master’s in international relations also offers a thesis option – which will allow you to contribute your own research and views to greater academic discussions concerning international relations. In the thesis sequence, you’ll have the opportunity to study under experienced faculty with terminal degrees and dissertation experience. Under their guidance, you can produce research that inspires change and challenges perspectives. If you would rather not complete a thesis, you’ll be able to select elective courses and study topics that interest you most in international relations and government.
Featured Courses
Online Master’s in International Relations Degree Information
- This program falls under the Helms School of Government.
- View the Graduate Government Course Guides (login required).
Why Choose Liberty’s Online International Relations Master’s Degree?
As a pioneer in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to develop an online international relations degree program that combines affordability, flexibility, and academic excellence. This international relations degree is offered 100% online in mostly 8-week sections with no set login times and no required intensives – allowing you to remain committed to your job, family, and community as you further your education.
In this program, we aim to prepare students with a multidisciplinary approach to international relations. We address history, philosophy, governing structures and processes, and comparative politics. The knowledge of international politics and policies gained through our online masters in international affairs degree is based on a solid biblical foundation to advance global diplomacy.
Our master’s in international relations degree completion plan allows you to choose between a thesis and a non-thesis track. Our thesis track allows you to take the knowledge you have learned from your courses and apply them to real-life problems in the international relations field. You will evaluate weaknesses and test your ability to carry out original research to find solutions. The non-thesis track lets you select elective courses so you can tailor your degree to match your career goals.
The international relations master’s degree provides you with the latest information and skills you need to vie for the top positions in international relations – which is key because competition for jobs in this field can be fierce. For instance, you may want to become a political scientist. (Learn more about salary outlook*). Our courses provide a politics and international law background that can help make you an asset to nearly any government, labor, or political organization.
To fulfill our goal of offering one of the best international relations master’s online, we are constantly updating our program to stay current with world issues. Liberty’s master’s in international relations online degree is designed to develop internationally astute leaders who can make a global impact for Christ.
The time has never been better to pursue an online international relations degree, and at Liberty, it has never been simpler. Don’t delay – partner with us to gain new skills and take your career to new heights!
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Political Scientists (viewed online Apr. 12, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Potential Career Options with a Master’s in International Relations Degree
- Diplomat
- Foreign service or public affairs officer
- Global missions worker/director
- Journalist
- NGO director
- Political scientist
- Professor
- Researcher
Specializations for the MS in International Relations
Generalized Track (No Specialization)
Liberty’s Master of Science (MS) in International Relations general track gives you the opportunity to study several core international relations topics as well as personalize your degree with elective courses – so you can pursue your unique goals.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Chinese Strategic Thought
Liberty’s Master of Science (MS) in International Relations – Chinese Strategic Thought is a perfect fit if you want to use your expertise to advise on China-related issues and challenges.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Human Rights
Liberty’s Master of Science (MS) in International Relations – Human Rights is an excellent choice if you want to use your knowledge and skills to make a significant change in areas such as social justice, advocacy, and diplomacy.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Intelligence
Liberty’s Master of Science (MS) in International Relations – Intelligence is an excellent choice if you want to use your analytical and research skills to interpret complex intelligence data.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Graduate Full Time | $565/Credit |
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Graduate Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Master of Science in International Relations Degree
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
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