Students are required to complete 36 credit hours within the department, including methods, a research requirement (fulfilled by taking the seminar, senior thesis, or a designated upper-division course), and senior overview. A minimum of 18 credit hours of international relations at Webster University is required. At least 12 credit hours of upper-level (3000 or above) coursework in the department with an international focus must be completed in addition to methods and overview. There is a study residency requirement of at least one term (eight weeks) outside the United States or an international relations practicum in the United States. To satisfy the residency, students may study at one of Webster University's international campuses or at an approved alternative location. Students unable to study outside the United States must take the international relations practicum (3-6 credit hours), which does not apply to the 36 total credit hours. Students are required to have significant international language experience. This requirement can be met by taking 12 sequential credit hours in an international language or by passing an advanced-level proficiency examination. This requirement will be waived for students whose native language is not English and who are studying in English. Their mastery of English as a second language fulfills the requirement. There is a required minimum distribution of coursework as well as the above requirements:

One course of the following.

One course of the following.

Two courses of the following.