International Relations (BA) at University of Southern California

Programme overview

The International Relations major requires a minimum of 48 units. Majors cover the four fields of culture and global society, foreign policy analysis, international political economy, and international politics and security studies, plus one regional studies course.

Faculty: School of International Relations (USC Dornsife) | Department: School of International Relations | Duration: 48 units | Study mode: full-time | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Core courses are IR 210gw, IR 211g, IR 212 and IR 213, followed by eight upper-division courses: one per field, one regional course (Europe, Russia/Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, or Pacific Rim) and one 400-level course. Four semesters of a single foreign language are required.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

International Relations (BA): the core IR courses should be completed in the first 32 units and the 200-level courses by 48 units. General USC first-year requirements: First-year applicants to USC apply through the Common Application with transcripts and a letter of recommendation; SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional policy for 2027-28 entry). Deadlines: Early Decision and Early Action November 1, Regular Decision January 10 (December 1 for performing arts majors). International applicants whose native language is not English must submit an approved English test: TOEFL iBT 100 overall with at least 20 per section (exams before 21 January 2026) or 5 overall with at least 4 per section (from 21 January 2026), IELTS 7, Cambridge C1 Advanced 185 (169 per skill), PTE 68, SAT EBRW 650, ACT English 27, or Duolingo 130 (Duolingo-only admits sit the USC International Student Exam on arrival). International applicants must also document funds for the first year.

USD 75,384 a year (2026-27). Estimated undergraduate tuition for two semesters (12-18 units per semester), the USC rate for full-time undergraduates; excludes fees ($1,952), housing, food, books and the $450 new student fee. The same tuition applies to in-state and out-of-state resid Source

First-year students enter in the fall semester; applicants can apply Early Decision (binding), Early Action or Regular Decision.

First-year deadlines for 2027 entry: Early Decision (most majors) November 1; Early Action (most majors) November 1; Regular Decision for performing arts majors (Dance, Dramatic Arts, Thornton Music) December 1; Regular Decision for most majors January 10. Early Decision applicants are notified by mid-December, Early Action in late January and Regular Decision by April 1.

Applications are made through the Common Application; the undergraduate application fee is $85 for all applicants, with fee waivers available except to international students. SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional); USC school code is SAT 4852 and ACT 0470.

Transfer applications for 2027-28: December 1, 2026 for selected programmes and February 15, 2027 for all other majors; SAT/ACT scores are not required for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.usc.edu/

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