All students complete an 18-hour core curriculum, 12 hours of focus courses, and 6 hours of electives. Students may choose one of five focus areas: Inter-American Studies, International Conflict Resolution, International Criminal Justice & Crime Control, International Development Studies, and Security Policy. 

Focus Areas

Inter-American Studies

Inter-American Studies is an interdisciplinary examination and analysis of Latin America societies in transition. An emphasis is placed on the interrelatedness of culture, history, politics, economics, and security issues, within nations and among nations. The relationship between the United States and Latin America will also be examined.   

International Conflict Resolution

The International Conflict Resolution area of focus is an interdisciplinary examination and analysis of the root causes of political, cultural and economic conflict. An emphasis is placed on policies and programs designed to prevent violent conflict as well as the resolution of such conflict. 

International Criminal Justice and Crime Control

International Criminal Justice and Crime Control is an interdisciplinary program that will prepare graduates to work in state and federal law enforcement. An emphasis is placed on the study of crime and transnational criminal activity, as well as the laws, institutions and legal processes designed to control and curtail transnational crime. 

International Development

The study of international development examines the interrelatedness of economics, business, politics, social and cultural realities in the promotion of human welfare in the global arena. An emphasis is placed on analyzing and understanding the root causes of poverty and underdevelopment, and considering various strategies and efforts to promote sustainable just development.

Security Policy

Security Policy is an interdisciplinary examination and analysis of national and international security issues. Course content include perspectives from the areas of economics, history, and political science. Issues range from nuclear proliferation and conventional arms trade to narcotrafficking, trade imbalances, environmental conflict and race/ethnic/gender/religious issues.