Requirements Outline

Students majoring in International Relations (IR) must complete a minimum of 70 units (30 units of core courses and 40 units of specialization courses).
At least one of these courses must be a seminar or colloquium-style class.
At least one of these courses must be designated as Writing in the Major (WIM) for IR.
All IR majors must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by completing two years of coursework (through the second year, third quarter) or passing a proficiency exam. Students should be aware that they might need at least 15 language units above the university minimum to complete the two-year IR language requirement. For more information, please visit the IR website.
All IR majors must complete one quarter of academic study overseas through Stanford’s Bing Overseas Studies Program (BOSP) or an approved non-Stanford program. Non-Stanford programs must be pre-approved by the IR office before the student enrolls. For more information, please visit the IR website.
Beginning with the Class of 2025, IR majors will be required to complete a 5-unit capstone course (see Capstone Experience below for details). Students should be aware that these 5 units do not count towards the minimum 70 units needed to complete the IR major.

Additional Policies

All courses that count towards major unit requirements must be taken for a letter grade, and a minimum grade of C is required. Foreign language units do not count towards the 70-unit minimum for the major and may be taken for a letter grade or CR/NC.
Up to two units of IR pre-approved or petitioned courses not offered for a letter grade may be applied toward IR specializations or filler coursework if completed for S grades.
Upon approval by the IR Faculty Director and University Registrar, a maximum of 15 non-Stanford units may be applied to the major for credit. Transfer courses must receive a B- or better to count toward degree requirements.
A maximum of five units of Directed Reading may be counted toward major units.
Students completing a double major or minor(s) must file a Major-Minor and Multiple Major Course Approval Form by the Final Study List deadline for the term the student intends to graduate.

INTLR-BA - International Relations (BA)

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