BA International Relations & Diplomacy Minor in Christian Theology

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

B.A. in International Relations & Diplomacy

Total program length

135 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Four academic years

General education

36 credit hours

International relations and theology core

78 credit hours

Professional application courses

15 credit hours

Capstone requirement

6 credit hours

The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations & Diplomacy with a minor in Christian Theology offers a comprehensive education that prepares students for meaningful careers in global affairs, diplomacy, and religious leadership. Students will engage in critical analysis of international systems, research techniques in diplomacy, and ethical considerations stemming from Christian theological perspectives. The program combines theoretical foundations with practical skills, equipping graduates to navigate complex global issues. Through project-based learning, internships, and interdisciplinary studies, students will develop essential communication and negotiation skills, enhancing their capacity to influence international policy and promote interfaith dialogue. Graduates are well-prepared to enter influential positions that bridge cultural and ideological divides, making them valuable assets in governmental, non-profit, and private sectors.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 135
• Duration: 4 years
• Degree Level: Bachelor

Common University Core for ALL Bachelor Programs (36 CH)

• UNI 101 First-Year Writing I
• UNI 102 First-Year Writing II
• UNI 110 Public Speaking & Presentation
• UNI 120 College Algebra or Quantitative Reasoning
• UNI 210 Applied Statistics for Social Science
• UNI 220 Research & Information Literacy
• UNI 230 Ethics in a Global Society
• UNI 240 Introduction to Sociology
• UNI 250 Introduction to Psychology
• UNI 260 World History I
• UNI 261 World History II
• UNI 270 Introduction to Political Science

Major Core (36 CH)

• IRD 201 Introduction to International Relations
• IRD 210 Comparative Politics
• IRD 220 International Political Economy
• IRD 230 Foreign Policy Analysis
• IRD 240 International Organizations (UN System)
• IRD 250 International Law
• IRD 310 Security Studies
• IRD 320 Diplomacy & Statecraft
• IRD 330 Negotiation & Mediation
• IRD 340 Human Rights in World Politics
• IRD 410 Research Design in International Affairs
• IRD 499 Senior Capstone in Diplomacy

General education | 36 credit hours

• International relations and theology core | 78 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 15 credit hours

Supporting Courses (18 CH)

• ECO 201 Microeconomics
• ECO 202 Macroeconomics
• HIS 310 Diplomatic History
• GEO 210 Political Geography
• COM 230 Intercultural Communication
• LAW 315 Public International Law Foundations

Major Electives (30 CH) — choose/set 10

• IRD 351 U.S. Foreign Policy
• IRD 352 African International Relations
• IRD 353 Middle East Politics
• IRD 354 Asia-Pacific Security
• IRD 355 European Union Politics
• IRD 356 International Trade Policy
• IRD 357 Global Governance
• IRD 358 Intelligence & Foreign Policy
• IRD 359 War, Strategy & Decision-Making
• IRD 360 Climate Diplomacy

Minor: Christian Theology (15 CH)

• THE 101 Introduction to Christian Theology
• THE 210 Biblical Interpretation
• THE 220 Christian Ethics
• THE 310 Church History & Doctrine
• THE 410 Theology of Mission & Public Life
• The Bachelor of Arts in International Relations & Diplomacy with a minor in Christian Theology combines a robust general education foundation with comprehensive study in political theory, global diplomacy, theological principles, ethics, research methodology, crisis awareness, and international community-based support structures.
• Florida's current standard establishes a minimum of 120 semester credits for a bachelor's degree and at least 30 general-education credits for a Bachelor of Arts. This curriculum exceeds the general-education minimum.

Capstone: Global Trade Strategy

• 3
• None
• IRD 499
• Senior Capstone in Diplomacy
• 3
• None
• GTE 360 — Sustainable Trade & ESG: Sustainable Trade & ESGThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• IRD 360 — Climate Diplomacy: Climate DiplomacyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• GTE 410 — Applied Data Analysis for Economics: Applied Data Analysis for EconomicsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• IRD 410 — Research Design in International Affairs: Research Design in International AffairsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RCG 410 — Religion in Contemporary Global Affairs: Religion in Contemporary Global AffairsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• THE 410 — Theology of Mission & Public Life: Theology of Mission & Public LifeThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• GTE 499 — Capstone: Global Trade Strategy: Capstone: Global Trade StrategyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• IRD 499 — Senior Capstone in Diplomacy: Senior Capstone in DiplomacyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Capstone requirement | 6 credit hours

• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IIS 101 | Introduction to Interfaith Studies | 3 | None
• THE 101 | Introduction to Christian Theology | 3 | None
• UNI 101 | First-Year Writing I | 3 | None
• UNI 102 | First-Year Writing II | 3 | None
• UNI 110 | Public Speaking & Presentation | 3 | None
• UNI 120 | College Algebra or Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | None
• ECO 201 | Microeconomics | 3 | None
• GTE 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | None
• IRD 201 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 | None
• ECO 202 | Macroeconomics | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• GTE 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | None
• ACC 210 | Financial Accounting | 3 | None
• GEO 210 | Political Geography | 3 | None
• GTE 210 | International Trade Theory | 3 | None
• IRD 210 | Comparative Politics | 3 | None
• MGT 210 | Principles of Management | 3 | None
• NGS 210 | Nonprofit & global studies | 3 | None
• THE 210 | Biblical Interpretation | 3 | None
• UNI 210 | Applied Statistics for Social Science | 3 | None
• CLE 220 | Christian Law & Ethics | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• GTE 220 | International Finance | 3 | None
• IRD 220 | International Political Economy | 3 | None
• THE 220 | Christian Ethics | 3 | None
• UNI 220 | Research & Information Literacy | 3 | None
• COM 230 | Intercultural Communication | 3 | None
• GTE 230 | Money, Banking & Financial Systems | 3 | None
• IRD 230 | Foreign Policy Analysis | 3 | None
• UNI 230 | Ethics in a Global Society | 3 | None
• GTE 240 | Managerial Economics | 3 | None
• IRD 240 | International Organizations (UN System) | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• UNI 240 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | None
• IRD 250 | International Law | 3 | None
• UNI 250 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | None
• UNI 260 | World History I | 3 | None
• UNI 261 | World History II | 3 | None
• UNI 270 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 | None
• ECH 310 | Early Civilization & History | 3 | None
• GTE 310 | Econometrics I | 3 | None
• HIS 310 | Diplomatic History | 3 | None
• IRD 310 | Security Studies | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SCM 310 | Global Supply Chain Management | 3 | None
• THE 310 | Church History & Doctrine | 3 | None
• LAW 315 | Public International Law Foundations | 3 | None
• FIN 320 | Corporate Finance Fundamentals | 3 | None
• GTE 320 | Global Markets & Competition | 3 | None
• IRD 320 | Diplomacy & Statecraft | 3 | None
• LAW 320 | International Business Law | 3 | None
• POL 325 | Political Economy of Globalization | 3 | None
• GTE 330 | Trade Policy & Institutions (WTO) | 3 | None
• IRD 330 | Negotiation & Mediation | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• GTE 340 | Development Economics | 3 | None
• IRD 340 | Human Rights in World Politics | 3 | None
• GTE 351 | Emerging Markets | 3 | None
• IRD 351 | U.S. Foreign Policy | 3 | None
• GTE 352 | International Monetary Policy | 3 | None
• IRD 352 | African International Relations | 3 | None
• GTE 353 | Economic Sanctions & Statecraft | 3 | None
• IRD 353 | Middle East Politics | 3 | None
• GTE 354 | Global Poverty & Inequality | 3 | None
• IRD 354 | Asia-Pacific Security | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• GTE 355 | Energy Economics | 3 | None
• IRD 355 | European Union Politics | 3 | None
• GTE 356 | Behavioral Economics | 3 | None
• IRD 356 | International Trade Policy | 3 | None
• GTE 357 | Economics of Migration | 3 | None
• IRD 357 | Global Governance | 3 | None
• GTE 358 | Trade Analytics & Forecasting | 3 | None
• IRD 358 | Intelligence & Foreign Policy | 3 | None
• GTE 359 | Global Financial Crises | 3 | None
• IRD 359 | War, Strategy & Decision-Making | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• GTE 360 | Sustainable Trade & ESG | 3 | None
• IRD 360 | Climate Diplomacy | 3 | None
• GTE 410 | Applied Data Analysis for Economics | 3 | None
• IRD 410 | Research Design in International Affairs | 3 | None
• RCG 410 | Religion in Contemporary Global Affairs | 3 | None
• THE 410 | Theology of Mission & Public Life | 3 | None
• GTE 499 | Capstone: Global Trade Strategy | 3 | None
• IRD 499 | Senior Capstone in Diplomacy | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Diplomat
• International Relations Analyst
• Non-profit Program Coordinator
• Policy Advisor
• Conflict Resolution Specialist
• Community Outreach Director
• Religious Affairs Consultant

Important Notices

• The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
• HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
• HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
• Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
• The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
• Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
• Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
• This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
• Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
• Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
• Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
• Degree abbreviation | B.A. in International Relations & Diplomacy
• Total program length | 135 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Four academic years