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

Elena Szost

Program Manager, Chemonics International

Jennifer Ventimiglia

Peace Corps Nicaragua, Fulbright Scholar Peru, now Ph.D. candidate in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership at University of Illinois

Megan Murphy

Project Manager at Community Research Institute

Emily Brown

West Africa PEPFAR Advisor/Coordinator, International Business and Technical Consultants, Inc. Formerly employed at US State Department and US Agency for International Development

David Root

Peace Corps Bangladesh, US State Department, Inclusive Leadership Specialist

View More Spotlights

Popular Pages

Events

Philippine Culture Night - Tied by Tides

January 31, 2026 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The Filipinx American Student Association at Grand Valley State would like to formally invite you to celebrate our 3rd Annual Philippine Culture Night! It'll be in the Grand River Room at the Kirkhof...

Reporting on Key Issues in China and Taiwan with Emily Feng

February 3, 2026 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Join NPR correspondent Emily Feng for an exploration of identity and belonging in China, highlighting the intersection of politics, ideology, and everyday life under Xi Jinping, based on her on-the-ground...

Fellowships Information Session: Planning to apply for the Gilman? Exploring Fulbright? Interested in the NSF Goldwater for students planning on graduate research in STEM? Curious about fellowship opportunities generally?

February 10, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Welcome! Join us to explore the world of nationally competitive fellowships. Planning to apply for the Gilman to help defray the cost of GVSU undergraduate study abroad? Exploring Fulbright or another...

Real Talk: Social Sciences Edition

February 10, 2026 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Gain inside information on career paths, resumes, interviewing, networking, and other career-related concepts that you can start using TODAY as a student by rotating between stations led by GVSU alumni...

Drop-In Days of Service

February 13, 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

View More Events