Online Master's in International Relations

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Learn to Lead in Global Governance with a Master’s in International Relations Online Degree

Liberty University’s Master of Science (MS) in International Relations degree online is a great option if you enjoy traveling, politics, and communication. Our international relations graduate program helps provide the training needed to maintain positive diplomatic relations with other countries and prevent international conflicts. In this program, you can learn to monitor current events and give your recommendations on public policy. In addition, you can gain a firm understanding of international relations, global security, and governance.

The advanced knowledge and training you receive in this online masters in international relations and diplomacy may benefit you in a wide range of professions. Some of the professions you could pursue include diplomacy, foreign service, federal civil service, international aid and development, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international business, and journalism. Our challenging curriculum can help equip you with the skills needed to become a valuable asset in your global career.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Science (MS) in International Relations.

What Will You Study in the Master’s in International Relations Online Degree Program?

This master’s in international relations degree online can help you pursue a wide range of careers in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. These careers require an understanding of international politics, foreign affairs, international economics, and national security issues. You will study various topics to gain a foundation in international relations. These different disciplines cover history, philosophy, governing structures and processes, comparative politics, and more.

You will also study critical pieces of international organizations and human rights, political economy and international trade, and international security and terrorism. You can learn about the importance of global governance in the contexts of political, military, legal, financial, or humanitarian institutions like the United Nations (UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and more.

Our international relations degree provides training from a Judeo-Christian perspective on international affairs and American foreign policy. The online master’s in international relations can give you a basis for understanding the relationship between U.S. foreign policy and the Middle East. Each course in this degree is grounded in a biblical perspective on government, politics, and diplomacy.

Our online master’s in international relations also offers a thesis option, which will allow you to contribute your own research and views to greater academic discussions concerning international relations. In the thesis sequence, you’ll have the opportunity to study under experienced faculty with terminal degrees and dissertation experience. Under their guidance, you can produce research that inspires change and challenges perspectives. If you would rather not complete a thesis, you’ll be able to select elective courses and study topics that interest you most in international relations and government.

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Online Master’s in International Relations Degree Information

Why Choose Liberty’s Online International Relations Master’s Degree?

As a pioneer in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to develop an online international relations degree program that combines affordability, flexibility, and academic excellence. This international relations degree is offered 100% online in mostly 8-week sections with no set login times and no required intensives – allowing you to remain committed to your job, family, and community as you further your education.

In this program, we aim to prepare students with a multidisciplinary approach to international relations. We address history, philosophy, governing structures and processes, and comparative politics. The knowledge of international politics and policies gained through our online master’s in international affairs degree is based on a solid biblical foundation to advance global diplomacy.

Our master’s in international relations degree completion plan allows you to choose between a thesis and a non-thesis track. Our thesis track allows you to take the knowledge you have studied in your courses and apply them to real-life problems in the international relations field. You will evaluate weaknesses and test your ability to carry out original research to find solutions. The non-thesis track lets you select elective courses so you can tailor your degree to match your career goals.

The international relations master’s degree provides you with the latest information and skills you need to vie for the top positions in international relations, which is key because competition for jobs in this field can be fierce. For instance, you may want to become a political scientist. (Learn more about salary outlook*). Our courses provide a background in politics and international law that can help make you an asset to nearly any government, labor, or political organization.

To fulfill our goal of offering one of the best international relations master’s online, we are constantly updating our program to stay current with world issues. Liberty’s master’s in international relations online degree is designed to develop internationally astute leaders who can make a global impact for Christ.

The time has never been better to pursue an online international relations degree, and at Liberty, it has never been simpler. Don’t delay – partner with us to gain new skills and take your career to new heights!

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Political Scientists (viewed online Apr. 12, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

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Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

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Potential Career Options with a Master’s in International Relations Degree

Diplomat
Foreign service or public affairs officer
Global missions worker/director
Journalist

NGO director
Political scientist
Professor
Researcher

Specializations for the MS in International Relations

Generalized Track (No Specialization)

Chinese Strategic Thought

Human Rights

Intelligence

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

Graduate Full Time	$580/Credit
Graduate Part Time	$645/Credit
Military Graduate	$290/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Our Master of Science in International Relations Degree

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder*
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

*Not applicable to certificates.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Online Master’s in International Relations Strategic Leadership in a Connected World

Learn to Lead in Global Governance with a Master’s in International Relations Online Degree

What Will You Study in the Master’s in International Relations Online Degree Program?

Featured Courses

Online Master’s in International Relations Degree Information

Why Choose Liberty’s Online International Relations Master’s Degree?

What Sets Us Apart?

Potential Career Options with a Master’s in International Relations Degree

Specializations for the MS in International Relations

Generalized Track (No Specialization)

Chinese Strategic Thought

Human Rights

Intelligence

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our Master of Science in International Relations Degree

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

Military

Are you ready to change your future?

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