<p>i've decided i really want to major in international relations (along with something else), but i'm finding that it's actually kind of difficult to find that major outside of selective schools. my first choice, case western, only has international studies as a major, along with the other schools i've been looking at. i've heard that international studies is just a watered down version of international relationsis that true even if it's a major and at a school like case? boston university would be my first choice, but i heard they're not too good with aid and i don't want to be in tons of debt. (sorry if this topic has already been beaten to death, but i don't know if it has.) are international relations/studies the same thing if they're both majors, or does international studies look like a weaker degree than IR?</p>
<p>There is a confusing range of interdisciplinary major, minor, and certificate programs in IR/IS. These program have a broad range of titles across the many schools that offer them. In general, IR and IS are the same. If there is any difference, it would be that programs with the title of IS offer a range of subconcentrations such as international security; development; international economic affairs; etc., whereas IR has more of a focus on international politics. But the exceptions to this general characterization of such programs are too numerous to list here. So, my advice is to quit judging a program by its title. The only real way to determine just what is taught in such programs is to dig into the information about required core courses, thematic and regional options, etc. that is available on the websites of these programs and do close comparisons of those that interest you.</p>
<p>One feature of the program at BU that differs from other programs is that it has departmental status. IR usually is just a subfield of political science or an interdisciplinary major.</p>
<p>See my posts in these threads:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/other-college-majors/902677-political-science-vs-international-relations.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/other-college-majors/902677-political-science-vs-international-relations.html</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/749245-undergraduate-foreign-policy-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/749245-undergraduate-foreign-policy-schools.html</a></p>
<p>University of Mississippi has an outstanding selective program in international studies: <a href=“http://www.croft.olemiss.edu/Pages/?section=1&page=2[/url]”>The Major | The Croft Institute for International Studies | Ole Miss; While Ole Miss isn’t selective over all, this program is among the most selective in the university. Virtually every student is a member of the honors college. When my D was looking for international relations/international studies we noted that this program was very well designed - similar to Tufts - for a fraction of the cost. If you are looking for some alternatives, consider Ole Miss.</p>