University of Cincinnati

What you'll study

The programme builds a foundation in international relations theory, comparative politics, and American foreign policy, and then moves into specialised courses on national security, intelligence studies, strategy and defence policy. Typical modules include:

• Foundations of International Relations – theory, history and paradigms of global politics.
• Comparative Politics and Political Institutions – methods for comparing political systems and state behaviour.
• US Foreign Policy and National Security – decision-making, crisis management and the role of institutions.
• Intelligence and Strategic Studies – fundamentals of intelligence collection, analysis and oversight.
• Security Policy and Cybersecurity – contemporary threats, cyber operations and resilience policy.
• Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis – social science methods, data analysis and policy evaluation.
• Area and Regional Studies – focused study on regions such as Europe, East Asia, the Middle East or Latin America.
• Language Study – continued proficiency in a foreign language to support regional expertise.
• Capstone/Thesis or Applied Policy Project – a supervised, research-based project that applies theory to a real-world policy or security problem.

Many students complement classroom work with internships in federal, state or local agencies, think tanks, NGOs or private-sector security firms. There are also opportunities for study abroad and short-term field seminars that emphasise regional expertise and language immersion.

Entry requirements

Applicants need a recognised secondary-school diploma or equivalent. Admissions typically expect a strong academic record with relevant coursework in history, social studies, language and mathematics. The University of Cincinnati operates a holistic admissions process; standardised tests may be test-optional depending on policies in effect, but competitive applicants often highlight strong grades, a clear statement of purpose and evidence of extracurricular or work experience related to politics, debate, model UN, community service or language study.

Transfer applicants are usually required to present college transcripts showing successful completion of introductory-level coursework; completion of an associate degree can be an advantage. International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English, commonly through recognised language testing or prior instruction in an English-language curriculum.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for careers across public, private and non-profit sectors. Common career paths include:

• Diplomacy and foreign service roles in national ministries and embassies.
• National security, intelligence analysis and policy work in defence and homeland security agencies.
• Policy analysis, research and advocacy positions in think tanks and non-governmental organisations.
• Risk analysis, security consulting and corporate intelligence in the private sector.
• International development, humanitarian work and programme management for multilateral organisations.
• Further study in law, public policy, strategic studies or doctoral research in political science or international relations.

Employers value the programme’s combination of theoretical knowledge, regional specialisation, quantitative research skills and practical experience gained through internships or co-operative education placements.

Why study at University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers a liberal-arts environment combined with strong emphasis on experiential learning—students can access internships, co-op placements and applied research projects that link classroom theory to real-world practice. The university’s cross-disciplinary departments and language programmes support regional specialisation and technical skill development in areas such as cybersecurity and data analysis.

Located in a mid-sized, internationally connected city, the university provides opportunities to engage with public agencies, NGOs and private firms in the region. Faculty typically include scholars with policy experience and active research programmes, and students benefit from advising that helps align coursework, internships and capstone projects to career goals in diplomacy, intelligence, security and international affairs.