Established in 1953, the International Affairs (IA) Program at Florida State University is one of the oldest international affairs programs in the South. IA strives to support its students through a holistic learning experience through internships, study abroad programs, and other professional development opportunities. The program is also recognized as one of the most demographically diverse programs here at Florida State. According to the latest rankings by Niche, IA is ranked 35th among public university programs nationwide.
The International Affairs Program originated from the Department of Political Science. Under the leadership of Professor of Political Science and Department Chair Marian D. Irish, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science Andre Laurensius Van Assenderp was appointed the program’s first director from 1953 to 1960. The program welcomed its first graduate in 1965. After Assenderp’s departure in 1960, he was succeeded by Vincent Thursby. Today, the program is led by Lee K. Metcalf, Ph.D.
IA’s academic offerings have distinctive features. Robust professional development initiatives, including networking and job preparation opportunities, are a vital contributor to the program’s placement in prominent international companies. Most students in the program anticipate careers in government, business, international organizations, journalism, or teaching, although the degree program can serve as a stepping stone into more specialized doctoral programs. After graduating from the program, IA offers guidance for four career paths: public sector, private sector, non-profit sector, and global careers. For each category, they provide a step-by-step guide, a suggested course schedule, and networking opportunities.
The International Affairs Program gives students a personalized education directed by our seven faculty members. IA’s vision and mission embrace customizability, inclusivity, social justice, and sustainability.
As of the 2023-2024 academic year, 922 FSU students are enrolled in programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our 11,600+ alumni succeed in a variety of careers worldwide.
Undergraduate Major, Various Specialized Major Tracks, and Minor
As the second largest undergraduate major in the college, the International Affairs Program offers majors in the following specializations: International Affairs, Russian and Eastern European Studies, Asian Studies, Asian Studies with Business, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies with Business. Courses may be combined in various ways to provide the focus appropriate to a student’s interests and career goals. The major is designed for students who wish to apply their major field to international careers in the public and private sectors. Students may earn a major in International Affairs by completing 40 hours of program-approved courses. The program also offers a minor in each major track, with a minimum of 18 credit hours.
Master’s Programs
The program grants a Master of Science in International Affairs and a Master of Arts in International Affairs in three tracks: Asian Studies, Russian and Eastern European Studies, and International Affairs. Since 1964, IA has offered the M.S. and M.A. in International Affairs with the principal aim of preparing students for international careers in the public and private sectors, allowing them to function in both generalist and specialist roles. The program’s first graduate Director was Richard B. Gray, Ph.D.; the current graduate Director is Na’ama Nagar, Ph.D.
Graduate students in the program also complete an internship that can count for up to six credit hours. Internship opportunities are as follows: agencies and businesses in Florida’s capital that work in the international arena, placements in Washington D.C. through their partnership with the Washington Center Program, or international internships through the program’s partnership with Educational Programs Abroad (EPA).
In addition, the program offers Pathways for Joint Master’s Degrees with the College of Law and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. In each case, students must complete the coursework towards the M.S. or M.A. and complete the remaining curriculum with classes taken in the other degree program.
On the Republic of Panama campus, there is a Master of Science in International Affairs with a minimum of 31 credit hours, and the option to complete it offers a certificate in Emergency Management.
The first graduating class from the master’s program consisted of seven students. As of 2024, there are 76 master’s students enrolled in the program, with approximately 1,594 program graduates worldwide.
Study Abroad
The study abroad program in International Affairs has opportunities for both undergraduate majors and graduate students. Undergraduate students can participate in the International Affairs in London Program, which consists of taking specific courses on the Tallahassee campus and then going abroad over Spring Break. The week in London is packed with experiences that enhance cultural awareness, provide an understanding of British history, and allow insight into the British political system and international organizations.
Graduate students have the option of attending two summer semester programs in Croatia or the Czech Republic. In Dubrovnik, Croatia, students study the issues of international cooperation and conflict, from the wars of the 1990s to the expansion of NATO and the European Union, over two weeks. In Prague, Czech Republic, students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of international organizations that deal with issues such as human trafficking, the refugee crisis, and human security.
Distinguished Faculty
The International Affairs Program has had many dedicated and notable faculty members who have contributed to its prestige. Dr. Na’ama Nagar created a comprehensive online career guide to assist students in navigating their major and future career options. Onnie Norrbin, Ph. D., published an economics textbook titled “Economics of Asia” in 2022 through Great River Learning.
Several retired faculty members have been honored as professor emeriti, most notably Dr. Richard B. Gray. Receiving Professor Emeritus status in 1989, Dr. Gray came to Florida State as part of the Department of Political Science faculty. Under the guidance of Dr. Irish, Dr. Gray produced and nurtured the Master’s Program within International Affairs with the intention of providing a career track for students with an interest in international affairs and working abroad.
The Richard B. Gray Graduate Fellowship and the Richard B Gray Scholarship are two funding opportunities named in his honor that provide students with the means to complete their degrees in International Affairs. The former is for current students pursuing a Master’s Degree in International Affairs, while the latter is for students of any level within the program.
Distinguished Alumni
The International Affairs Program has had many alumni from their undergraduate and graduate programs become notable figures in their industries. IA alumni go on to work in fields such as Law, Education, Healthcare (TMH, Moffit), Government/Military Service (every branch and department), Financial Management (AIG, Edward Jones, EY, Citi, Bank of America), Tech (Google, Microsoft, Cisco, Epic Games), Public Relations (Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Walt Disney Corp) and more.
Mel Martinez, B.A. ’69 (International Affairs), has extensive experience serving at the highest levels of government and over 25 years of experience practicing law. His impressive record of service includes being Mayor of Orange County (1998-2000) and the first Cuban American to hold the offices of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George W. Bush (2001-2003) and U.S. Senator (2005-2009). In the Senate, Martinez served on several committees, including Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Armed Services, and Foreign Relations, and became a trusted voice for foreign affairs and policy issues.
Audrey Chisholm, B.S. ’04 (International Affairs), won the Inc. 500 award for the 3rd year in a row, an honor recognizing the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Megan Doherty, M.S. ’09 (International Affairs), was recently inducted into Class 42 of Leadership Tallahassee, a program housed in the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce that cultivates a diverse network of emerging and experienced leaders committed to improving the community.
Navarro Moore, M.A.’09 (International Affairs), is a U.S. Diplomat for the U.S. Program of State. He is currently a Mandarin Chinese language student preparing for his role as Deputy Principal Officer at the Consulate in Shanghai. Pradiip Alvarez, M.S. ’14 (International Affairs), was a World Humanitarian Summit Project Assistant for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
For more information about the program’s current programs and activities, visit coss.fsu.edu/internationalaffairs. For more information about our college’s history as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, visit coss.fsu.edu/50th.