Prospective Students

Welcome to GVSU International Relations

Are you ready to:

  • Study how terrorist networks are created and how they attract new members?
  • Examine the impact of climate change and how nations are cooperating to slow global warming?
  • Learn why so many of Michigan’s manufacturing jobs have been lost to China, Mexico, and other countries?
  • Read books by famous world leaders and diplomats?
  • Specialize in a region and learn intensely about its language, history, and culture?
  • Travel abroad and learn about international cultures and organizations first hand?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you should consider majoring in International Relations at GVSU. Our program will provide you with the education and skills you need to be successful in a variety of international fields!

The GVSU IR program is Interdisciplinary; to fulfill the major students need to earn credits in:

  • Political Science
  • History
  • Geography
  • Economics and Business
  • Foreign Language

Read more about us, or consult the popular pages below. 

Spotlights

Ellyanne Rosenthal Spotlight

Ellyanne Rosenthal

Global Mobility Partner - Europe

Shingi Mavima Spotlight

Shingi Mavima

Ph.D. in African and African American Studies, Assistant Professor of African and African American Studies, University of Toledo

Richard Damstra Spotlight

Richard Damstra

Senior Advisor at theĀ  NATO Office of Strategic Communications in Brussels.

David Johnson Spotlight

David Johnson

Graduate of Georgetown Law School, General Counsel and Strategic Advisor for Shift4

Brendan Sawyer Spotlight

Brendan Sawyer

Studying at Wayne State Law School

View More Spotlights

Events

Fulbright US Student Program - Institute of International Education (IIE) Virtual Information Session

March 5, 2026 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Interested in teaching English abroad as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA)? Curious about the Fulbright Study/Research (S/R) grants for US students seeking support for independent research...

Drop-In Days of Service

March 6, 2026 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Drop-in Days of Service are on-campus opportunities for students to "drop in" and complete service projects for service hours.  Click here for additional information

Fulbright US Student Program - Virtual Information Session

March 11, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you interested in teaching English abroad? Are you curious about studying for a Master's degree abroad? The Fulbright program might be for you! Join me to learn more! For more Information...

Elect Her (INT 100 approved)

March 19, 2026 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Running Start, the non-profit organization that runs the Elect Her program, brings campaign training and real-world experiences from currently-elected officials to college campuses across the U.S....

Democracy 101: "Strongmen and How to Get Rid of Them" (INT 100/201 approved)

March 30, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join us for a broad, quick survey of various “strongmen” that came to power more-or-less democratically throughout the past century, then subverted democracy and became autocrats. There...

View More Events

News

Robach attends the National Conference of the World Affairs Council as a Student Scholar

Robach attends the National Conference of the World Affairs Council as a Student Scholar

Olivia Robach (PLS and IR double major) earned a scholarship to join student scholars from around the US to attend the annual conference of the World Affairs Council in Washington, DC in November 2025.

Dec 3, 2025

Ozinga Starting Law School at Case Western

Ozinga Starting Law School at Case Western

IR alum Kyla Ozinga is starting law school at Case Western

Sep 16, 2025

IR and PLS Alumni Starting Law School

IR and PLS Alumni Starting Law School

PLS, IR and Human Rights alum Taylor Bessinger is attending the University of Illinois College of Law

Sep 12, 2025

Salam Attending Harvard Law

Salam Attending Harvard Law

IR alum Shireen Salam is attending Harvard Law School.

Sep 9, 2025

Diven Honored with Award

Diven Honored with Award

Professor Polly Diven received the 2025 Hillman-Orr Award from the World Affairs Council of West Michigan.

Jun 23, 2025

View More News



Page last modified June 2, 2016