CAS: International Relations
Sample Pathway
Below is an example of a four-year plan of a College of General Studies student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations offered by the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and the international relations department to plan their own pathway to an international relations degree.
| Term 1 | Term 2 | |
| First Year | CGS RH 103 CGS SS 103 CAS IR 271 CAS EC 101 or CAS EC 102 |
(London or New England summer semester) CGS HU 104 CGS RH 104 CGS SS 104 |
| Sophomore Year | CGS NS 201 CGS HU 201 CAS EC 102 or CAS EC 101 Second Language (if needed) |
CGS NS 202 CGS HU 202 CGS SS 202* Second Language (if needed) |
| Junior Year | CAS IR 349 Elective** Elective** Second Language (if needed) |
CAS IR regional track course (1) CAS IR functional track course (1) CAS IR 292 (QST IM 345 or CAS EC 392 or CAS IR 399)† Second Language (if needed) |
| Senior Year | Elective** CAS IR regional track course (2) CAS IR functional track course (2) CAS IR functional track course (3) |
CAS IR regional track course (3) CAS IR regional track course (4) CAS IR functional track course (4) Elective** |
*All International Relations majors must complete CAS IR 350, which is one of the four required principal courses for the major. CGS SS 202 is accepted as a substitute for CAS IR 350 and is recommended to students pursuing this degree. A grade of ‘C’ or higher is required in all principal courses.
**Choose your electives carefully to fulfill any remaining BU Hub requirements. External courses are not eligible for Hub general education credit. To learn more about how courses in your International Relations major will help you fulfill Hub requirements, please see the Pardee School’s Undergraduate programs webpage. Majors may wish to enroll in CGS HU 202 in the spring of sophomore year to fulfill one of the two required Hub units in Creativity/Innovation.
†Majors can take QST IM 345, CAS EC 392, or IR 399 in place of CAS IR 292. Students who select the “International Economics, Business, and Politics” functional track must take one of the alternatives to CAS IR292. Students should consult with a Pardee advisor for the most suitable IR 292 equivalent.
Academic Advising
CGS Requirements
Major Requirements
Continuation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.
It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.
Last revised: 07/09/2025