Welcome

History

International Affairs is an interdisciplinary major in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. The Program is designed to prepare undergraduate students with the academic knowledge, cross-cultural awareness, and skills needed to thrive and lead in world society, while also promoting global citizenship and social responsibility.

The International Affairs Program was conceived and developed at Northeastern University in 1995 as an interdisciplinary program that builds on the strengths of various departments and disciplines. The program demands that students study politics, history, economics, sociology, anthropology, at least one foreign language, and that students live, study, and/or work abroad for a significant amount of time (usually 4 months minimum).

With only a few majors in 1996 and 1997, the program now boasts over 600 majors. Students have the option to pursue "dual majors" - International Affairs plus Anthropology or Economics or Human Services or Spanish or French or Political Science or Environmental Studies. Students also retain the option of pursuing any other major that fits into their interests (Philosophy, Religion, Business, History, Sociology, etc.) as a double major.

The goals of the Program are:

1. To educate students through a diverse faculty, representing various academic disciplines - such as arts and sciences, the humanities, business, and health sciences;

2. To provide students with a variety of options for academic and professional concentrations, such as diplomacy, international business, economic development, democratization, human rights, global health policy, and environmental studies;

3. To connect coursework with experiential education opportunities such as cooperative education, internships, study abroad, and student activities; and

4. To connect international and global initiatives occurring at Northeastern University and in Boston with one another.