Welcome to International Relations and Global Studies, an interdisciplinary major launched in 2009 that offers undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts a wide-ranging introduction to the most important challenges facing the modern world. The IRG major reflects the understanding that many of today's most pressing concerns-security risks, climate change, human rights-are truly global in nature, rather than merely national or regional problems. This major also recognizes that students benefit from addressing these subjects through a variety of scholarly perspectives. As a result, IRG draws from numerous departments and specializations at UT-Austin, such as Government, History, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, as well as area studies and languages, in order to fashion a broad, thematic-based course of study for undergraduate majors.

In selecting International Relations and Global Studies as a major, students have the opportunity to take a wide variety of courses on global issues. All majors must follow one of four thematic study tracks and concentrate on one of six regional areas, along with completing a study-abroad experience and additional foreign language courses. IRG majors also are required to complete a capstone research course, normally taken during their final year of study. Please see the program overview for a more specific set of degree requirements. 

Student Features