Application deadline
Credits and costs
Nationally Recognized
Online Undergraduate Education in International Politics at Penn State
Gain a broad understanding of international political concepts with the 123-credit Bachelor of Arts in International Politics from Penn State. The program is suited for students interested in foreign affairs and homeland security, those pursuing careers in international business, and individuals interested in graduate study or education in domestic or international law.
In this program, you will have the opportunity to study with highly regarded faculty from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, one of the premier institutions in the world to study and work in the liberal arts disciplines.
Choose Your Concentration
The B.A. in International Politics offers three areas of study for you to choose from:
- International Relations
Offers a multidisciplinary foundation in the study of foreign affairs and foreign policy - International Political Economy
Provides for focused study at the intersection of politics and economics, with courses that allow students to engage with topics such as the global economy, foreign investment, and international political economy - National Security Studies
Focuses on a study of global security and international threats and risks, with attention paid to addressing threats from state and non-state actors in the international system
The Curriculum in International Politics
As a student in this program, your courses will examine theoretical concepts and various contemporary issues such as ethnic conflict, terrorism, global violence, and economic and political globalization. Studies in international and comparative politics, as well as in economics, geography, and history, round out this comprehensive degree.
National Political Science Honor Society — Alpha Iota Omega World Campus Chapter
The mission of the honors society is to promote excellence in the study of political science, government, and international and public affairs. Members have access to networking, grants, awards, scholarships, and other opportunities.
Courses
The Bachelor of Arts in International Politics degree requires students to complete a minimum of 123 credits. A grade of "C" or better is required for all courses in the major.
Foundational Courses (select 9 credits)
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or:
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or:
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Advanced Courses (select 6 credits)
Supporting Courses (select 12 credits)
Program Options (12 credits)
Choose one of the following program options. Courses for each program option will be determined in conjunction with your academic adviser.
International Relations (12 total credits)
History (select 3 credits)
Economics (select 3 credits)
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or:
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Geography (select 3 credits)
History/Geography/Economics (select 3 credits)
National Security (12 total credits)
Take all (9 credits)
History/Geography/Economics (select 3 credits)
International Political Economy
Economics (select 3 credits)
Economics or International Business (select 6 credits)
History/Geography (select 3 credits)
Electives (15–18 credits)
Among the above degree requirements, students should incorporate at least:
- 3 credits in U.S. cultures
- 3 credits in international (IL) cultures
- 3 credits in writing-across-the-curriculum courses
The above course list includes only courses offered by World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements. All students are expected to complete at least 36 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.
General Education Requirements
Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.
- Arts (GA): 6 credits
- Humanities (GH): 6 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GWS courses. - Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GQ courses. - Integrative Studies: 6 credits
This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. Integrative Studies credits may be completed within the thirty Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Some Bachelor of Arts requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major, General Education courses, or electives. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.
- Foreign Language: 0–12 credits
Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one foreign language. - B.A. Fields: 9 credits
Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, Foreign Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (cannot be taken in the area of the student's primary major; foreign language credits in this category must be in a second foreign language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language) - Other Cultures: 0–3 credits
Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the General Education US/IL requirement.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $626 per credit | $671 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,602 per semester | $8,206 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $632 per credit | $678 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,678 per semester | $8,288 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete.
New students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by March 1. Please visit the Office of Student Aid website for more information about applying for financial aid and recommended deadlines.
Admissions Help
Thank you for your interest in applying to this program. Contact an admissions counselor to discuss your educational goals, financial aid options, and application deadlines.
Admission Requirements
To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate or have completed your GED.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need the following items to complete your application:
High school transcripts or GED transcript — First-year applicants are required to submit Self-Reported Academic Records (SRAR). Official high school transcripts will only be required at the time a student accepts an offer of admission to Penn State.
Official college or university transcripts, if you attended another institution, and/or official military transcripts (if applicable) — All college or university transcripts are required regardless of the length of time that has passed, the grades earned, or the accreditation of the institutions attended. Acceptance of transfer credit toward your degree is subject to final approval by the academic department. For detailed information, see the Transfer Students page.
Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Please send your transcripts by mail or electronically through Parchment, eScrip-Safe, or the National Student Clearinghouse directly to Penn State from the college/university where course work was attempted.
Submit official documents by mail to:
Undergraduate Admissions Office
The Pennsylvania State University
201 Shields Building
University Park, PA 16802
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Language Proficiency section on the Undergraduate Admissions International Requirements page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
Start Your Application
Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
If this is your first time applying to Penn State, you'll need to complete the following steps:
- Review the application instructions before beginning.
- Complete the online application and submit all official documents.
- Pay the application fee.
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form and choosing "MyPennState — Check Application Status." Your decision letter (confirming your acceptance or denial) will be mailed four to six weeks after receipt of all application materials. An admissions counselor will contact you if additional information is required.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this degree program.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in International Politics, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, please contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]
Faculty
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Burton Atkins
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, University of Kentucky
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DegreeM.A., Political Science, University of Kentucky
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DegreeB.A., Political Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Dr. Burton Atkins is an instructor for Penn State World Campus and Professor Emeritus (political science) at Florida State University. His research interests and publications have focused on American constitutional law and judicial behavior, as well as on comparative judicial studies with an emphasis on the British appellate courts.
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James W. Binney
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DegreePh.D., International Relations Theory & Comparative Politics, University of Kentucky
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DegreeM.Ed., Higher Education, Penn State
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DegreeM.A., International Relations Theory & Comparative Politics, University of Kentucky
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DegreeB.A., Political Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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DegreeB.S., Hotel and Restaurant Management, Penn State
Dr. James W. Binney is an instructor for Penn State World Campus. He has a wide range of teaching interests that include American politics, international relations theory, racial politics and ethnic conflict, comparative politics (regional specialties in Post-Soviet politics and Central Asia), political and economic development, developing nations, and political theory and ideologies. Dr. Binney is interested in research in foreign aid.
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Christopher Cook
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, University of California, Santa Barbara
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DegreeM.A., Political Science, University of California, Santa Barbara
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DegreeM.A., Political Science, California State University, Los Angeles
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DegreeB.S., History, Fitchburg State College
Dr. Christopher Cook’s research and teaching interests include foreign policy with an emphasis on intervention, terrorism, and political communication. He has published articles examining American foreign policy in the Congo and Sierra Leone as well as examining U.S. media coverage of African conflicts.
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A. Lee Hannah
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, Pennsylvania State University
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DegreeM.A., Political Science, Pennsylvania State University
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DegreeM. Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Virginia Tech
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DegreeB.A., History, Virginia Tech
Dr. Lee Hannah's research and teaching interests primarily focus on public policy and political behavior. He is currently working on a book titled "Green Rush: The Rise of Legal Marijuana in the American States" with Daniel Mallinson (Penn State Harrisburg). The book is under contract with New York University Press. He has published articles in Science, Policy Studies Journal, Climatic Change, Publius, State and Local Government Review, Public Opinion Quarterly, and others. He is currently an associate professor of political science at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.
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Marie Hojnacki
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, Ohio State University
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DegreeM.A., Political Science, Ohio State University
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DegreeM.S., Public Policy Analysis, University of Rochester
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DegreeB.A., Political Science and Communication, Canisius College
Dr. Marie Hojnacki is an associate professor of political science at Penn State University Park. Her research examines how organized interests act to shape public policy, and why some types of interests have advantages over others in terms of policy success and agenda setting. A current project investigates how organizations communicate their issue priorities, and how and why communication strategies may differ for different types of groups. Dr. Hojnacki teaches about political parties, interest groups, representation, and research design.
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Amy Linch
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, Rutgers University
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DegreeB.A., Political Science and Philosophy, Boston College
Dr. Amy Linch is an assistant professor of teaching and co-director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Political Science at Penn State University Park. She has authored and edited several works on democratization in post-communist societies and social and political transformation in early modern England. Her recent work focuses on the intersection between human capabilities and the capabilities of other species.
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Tamar London
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, University of Rochester
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DegreeB.A., Mathematics and Political Science, Binghamton University
Dr. Tamar London is an instructor for Penn State World Campus. Her past research has focused on mathematical models of international negotiation. She teaches courses on international relations, international political economy, and game theory and statistics.
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Nicole Morford
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, Penn State
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DegreeM.A., Political Science, Penn State
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DegreeB.A., Political Science, Geneva College
Dr. Nicole Morford is an instructor for Penn State World Campus. Her research focused on social movements and civil society development in post-Soviet states, particularly the women's movement in Ukraine. She teaches courses about American and comparative politics.
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Adam Nye
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, University at Buffalo, SUNY
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DegreeM.S., Social Sciences Interdisciplinary, University at Buffalo, SUNY
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DegreeB.A., Political Science and Psychology, University at Buffalo, SUNY
Dr. Adam Nye is an associate teaching professor in the Department of Political Science at Penn State’s University Park campus. He primarily teaches courses related to public law and judicial politics. The public law courses focus on landmark Supreme Court cases, while the courses related to judicial politics concentrate on legal procedures and the behavior of judges. In addition, Dr. Nye also teaches about the bureaucracy in America, and the American national government.
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Amanda Parks
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, Penn State
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DegreeM.A., Political Science, Penn State
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DegreeB.S., Journalism, Bowling Green State University
Dr. Amanda Parks, an instructor for Penn State World Campus, centers her research and teaching interests around public opinion and political communication, with a particular focus on the institutional reasons for media distortions and its effect on citizens' evaluations of policies and candidates. Other research interests include deliberative citizen engagement and the effects of new media on political communication.
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Amy Sentementes
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DegreePh.D., Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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DegreeM.A., Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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DegreeB.S., Political Science, Texas Christian University
Dr. Amy Sentementes is an assistant teaching professor at Penn State, where she teaches courses on public opinion, political psychology, and gender and politics. Recently, she began teaching a food politics course, combining her passion for food writing with her professional training in political science. The course explores the political institutions involved in food production and consumption patterns, as well as the psychological contributions food provides in American society.
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