International Relations

The International Relations Program at Tufts University offers a course of study for undergraduate students with a primary interest in international and regional studies. The field of international relations includes the study of:

• The history, politics, economics, and cultures of regional systems around the world
• International economics
• Global health, nutrition, and the environment as they relate to international relations
• The causes and consequences of war and the conditions for peace
• The role of the United States in world affairs
• The role played by personal and group affinities in shaping the identities that bear upon international conflict and cooperation

A major in international relations is therefore interdisciplinary. However, it should not be conceived simply as an agglomeration of knowledge from several fields. Rather, both faculty and students in international relations strive to compare and integrate the methodologies and evidence they acquire in different disciplinary settings as they seek answers to similar questions.

Background:

The International Relations Program at Tufts University was created in 1977, as one of the first international relations programs in the country. In that inaugural year under its first director, Professor John S. Gibson of the Political Science Department, the Program enrolled 27 students. Today, with over 600 declared majors and an international reputation, the IR Program has become one of Tufts University's most popular undergraduate concentrations.
Yet its popularity has not prevented the Program from delivering the hallmark of a Tufts education—small class sizes allowing for individual faculty attention to students. This is due in no small measure to the inclusiveness of Tufts' approach to international relations. An interdisciplinary major, the Program draws upon the strengths of 18 related departments and programs. Additionally, the IR Program has a staff dedicated to keeping the students and faculty informed and prepared to navigate the rigorous program.

The IR major requires the completion of 12 courses in the IR curriculum (Core and Thematic Concentration) plus completion of the IR language requirement and a capstone requirement.

Students should immediately begin using an IR Major Checklist, to better understand the requirements and to track their progress. This form should be updated before each registration period and used in consultation with your advisor.

I. Core Requirements
The Core Requirements constitute the foundation of knowledge that is needed by all majors in International Relations, regardless of thematic concentration. They are comprised of broad introductory courses that cover the major themes and debates within each discipline on the study of international affairs.

1. Introduction to Politics of International Relations (PS 61)
2. Principles of Economics (EC 5)
3. International Economics (one course from approved list)
4. The Historical Dimension (one course from approved list)
5. Theories of Society and Culture (one course from approved list)

II. Thematic Concentration Requirement
Thematic Concentrations are designed to provide students with substantial, in-depth, and focused study of an aspect of international relations. Students will choose one concentration and take 7 courses from that concentration.

1. Regional and Comparative Analysis (choose one sub-concentration)
   a. Europe and the Former Soviet Union
   b. East and Southeast Asia
   c. Africa
   d. Middle East and South Asia
   e. Latin America

2. International Economics (choose one sub-concentration)
   a. International Trade
   b. International Finance
   c. International Environmental Economics
   d. International Development Economics

3. Global Health, Nutrition and the Environment

4. International Security

5. Globalizations
   (Note: The OLD TC5 The United States in World Affairs is available to Class Years 2017-2019 ONLY.)

6. Identity
   (Note: The OLD TC6A Ideologies and TC6B Empires/Colonialism/Globalization are available to Class Years 2017-2019 ONLY.)

III. Research Methods Requirement
IR students will choose one thematic concentration and take 7 courses from that concentration. One of the 7 courses must be a research methods course. View an approved list of research methods courses for Thematic Concentrations 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6.  Note: TC3 students are required to take a Quantitative Reasoning course, which has a separate course listing. 

IV. Language Requirement
Majors in International Relations must display oral and written proficiency in a foreign language. Thorough language study is an essential tool for developing the cultural literacy and sensitivity, which are important goals of the major. Proficiency is met by 8 semesters of instruction or the equivalent in a single language. Students may place into courses above level one and thereby complete the requirement in fewer than 8 Tufts semesters.

1. Completed Common Application or Coalition Application
2. Completed Tufts Writing Supplement 
3. High School Transcript(s)
4. Senior Grades: All applicants will be required to send their senior grades as part of their application. Students applying Early Decision I should send first quarter or trimester grades no later than the last week in November. Students applying Early Decision II should plan for their first semester or trimester grades to arrive no later than the third week in January. Finally, Regular Decision applicants should submit their first semester or trimester grades by the middle of February. Students studying abroad (where predicted grades are common) should send those if senior grades are not available.
5. Testing:
   • For applicants to the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering or the Combined Degree Programs with the SMFA at Tufts or the NEC: SAT with two subject tests or ACT. See the standardized test requirements for information about these tests and recommendations regarding which subject tests to take.
   • For applicants to the SMFA at Tufts' BFA program: SAT or ACT. Subject tests are not required for BFA candidates applying to the SMFA at Tufts.
6. TOEFL Scores: Required only for students for whom English is not the first language or who attend a school where English is not the language of instruction.
7. Letters of Recommendation: Tufts requires one letter from a teacher in a junior or senior year major academic course (math, natural science, social science, English, or a foreign language) and one letter from a guidance counselor for all applicants. Candidates for the SMFA at Tufts' BFA or Combined Degree programs are required to submit a letter from their art teacher as well. An additional letter from all other applicants, though not encouraged, may be submitted if the student feels it can add new perspective to his or her application.
8. Extracurricular Activities: In addition to evaluating an academic fit, the admissions committee looks for ways a student may contribute to the community as a whole. They will assess the level and type of involvement in each activity and may ask questions such as: Has the student been a significant contributor or leader? How has the involvement contributed to the school or larger community? Does the student have a special talent in a particular area? We do not expect all students to be team captains, class presidents, or editors-in-chief; rather, we look for meaningful involvement in their school and/or community. The Common Application allows students to list up to ten different activities, but you don't need to fill every space. Some of the most successful applicants are heavily engaged in just a few activities. Keep in mind that the Common Application is your one chance to show your extracurricular engagements: we are not able to accept a supplemental resume of activities.
9. Art Portfolio: Required only for students applying to the Combined Degree BFA/BA or BFA/BS and BFA applicants to the SMFA at Tufts. Submit a 15-20-piece portfolio of recent work, which represents your strengths and interests, via SlideRoom.
10. $75 Application Fee or Fee Waiver - You may have the application fee waived by submitting either i) a written request from your college counselor or school official who can attest that the fee would represent a financial hardship, or ii) a College Board Request for Waiver of the Application Fee form. You may consider the waiver approved unless a member of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions notifies you otherwise. Without an application fee, or an approved fee waiver, we cannot continue to process your application to Tufts University.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

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