• <a href="/live/image/gid/74/width/650/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86402"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/74/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.rev.1607454030.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/74/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.rev.1607454030.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/74/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.rev.1607454030.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/74/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.rev.1607454030.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/74/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.rev.1607454030.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/74/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.rev.1607454030.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/74/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.rev.1607454030.jpg" alt="Faculty members in International Affairs—like Joseph M. Ha Associate Professor of International Affairs Elizabeth A. Bennett—love mee..." width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/74/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.rev.1607454030.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/74/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86402_International_Affairs_main_image_2.rev.1607454030.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="3066" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Faculty members in International Affairs—like Joseph M. Ha Associate Professor of International Affairs Elizabeth A. Bennett—love meeting with students during office hours.</div>

Why Choose a Degree in International Affairs?

Global technologies, threats to international security, fundamentalist movements, and mounting tensions between nations, regions, and factions mean that the study of international affairs is more relevant than ever. Unlike many other international relations programs, we offer such a robust range of courses and opportunities that we warrant our own dedicated department.

What You’ll Study

Though the scope of our coursework is broad, we emphasize foreign policy, national security, international law and organizations, international economic relations, social justice and transnational advocacy, human rights, and development in the global south. We also believe in collaborating with students on research projects—whether through classes during the academic year, a paid humanities research summer program, or both—and helping them find and secure internships in Portland and beyond. Many of our students earn course credit while on an overseas program.

Outside the classroom, the annual International Affairs Symposium is organized by a committee of students with support from faculty and staff. This multiday interdisciplinary event concentrates on the most pressing themes and topics in international relations today through a series of debates.

Curriculum

Complement Your Education With One of These Minors

The most popular minors for our international affairs majors are German studies, Middle East and North African studies, and political economy.


What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark

  • Something I like about my international affairs major is that I get to learn about aspects of global politics that I would never have considered. I also love connecting what I am learning in my minor classes and seeing how religion impacts global politics.

    Eliana Essman BA ’25
    International Affairs | Religious Studies | Carlsbad, California
    More about Eliana
  • My favorite class has been Ancient Cities with Professor Joel Sweek. The class had the kind of academic rigor and seriousness that I hoped to find in college, and Professor Sweek’s lectures pushed me to think like a historian. I was left in awe of the ancient world and inspired to declare history as my major.

    Mateo Kaiser BA ’23
    History and international affairs (double) | Political economy | Mountain View, California
    More about Mateo
  • I knew I wanted to be an IA major because I was interested in global politics, with a little bit of human rights and economics, a touch of diplomatic relations, and a sprinkle of law. One of my first IA classes touched on all of these concepts the first day, which solidified my decision.

    Keilani Vega BA ’22
    International affairs | French studies and environmental studies (double) | Pasadena, California
    More about Keilani

What Can You Do With a Degree in International Affairs?

Our alumni use their BA in international affairs to pursue a wide range of careers in academia, government, journalism, nonprofits, public service, and beyond. Some of our alumni have been awarded competitive fellowships and scholarships, like the Rangel and Rhodes, and many go on to pursue advanced degrees.

Dedicated Faculty

Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.

Meet the Professors

  • 96% 

    Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Classes of 2018–2022 were already changing the world through employment (76%), continuing studies (19%), and service work (1%), like the Peace Corps.

  • 54 

    nationalities represented in our undergraduate student body

  • Top 100 

    Lewis & Clark is in the top 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023–24 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” list.

  • Equity 

    We are the only liberal arts school in Oregon on Colleges of Distinction’s “Best Equity and Inclusion” list for 2023–24.

  • 19 

    Average class size for undergraduate students

Invest in Yourself

A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.

Find Your People

The Meridian is an annual publication dedicated to providing a forum for student views on international and cross-cultural issues. Model United Nations is a student club that concentrates on the workings of the United Nations, as well as research on various countries and their foreign policies.


Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You

International Affairs Events

April 8

International Affairs Symposium

until April 10
April 9

International Affairs Symposium

until April 10
April 10

International Affairs Symposium

until 12:00am on April 10
April 15

Summer Internship Grants

Empower your ambitions with Lewis & Clark College’s internship grants, bridging the gap for unpaid internships. Seize the opportunity to turn unpaid opportunities into priceless career investments—apply now and pave the way for your future success!

More News and Events →