National Security and Foreign Affairs Major
Our program provides a hands-on, practical approach to understanding the broad range of threats to national and global security in the 21st century. You will examine U.S. strategy and foreign policy to analyze threats that challenge security both at home and abroad.
20%
OF OUR STUDENTS ARE CADETS
12
LANGUAGES TO STUDY
2
PROGRAMS TO STUDY IN WASHINGTON D.C.
24
AVERAGE UPPER-LEVEL CLASS SIZE
Total Credit Hours: 120
National Security and Foreign Affairs Major Requirements (36 hours)
Core Degree Requirement (21 hours)
General Education (45 hours)
Electives (36 hours)
What You'll Study
You'll take 120 credit hours for a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, including Virginia Tech's Pathways. Available courses include:
- National Security
- Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
- Intelligence Analysis
- Intelligence and National Security
- The CIA in Today’s Geopolitical World
- Global Conflict and War
- Nuclear Strategy and Politics
- Terrorism and Counterterrorism
- Homeland Security
The national security and foreign affairs major focuses on international interactions and offers a comparative perspective on the contemporary global system with an emphasis on foreign language proficiency. Select from nine languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish, to fulfill this requirement.
Curious how the degree requirements will fit into your experience at Virginia Tech? See the roadmaps below for a sample schedule of courses each year. Your academic advisor will help you create a personalized version based on your goals and other areas of interest. The individualized plan will also include your AP, IB, dual enrollment, or transfer credit.
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What Is a Major in National Security and Foreign Affairs?
The major analyzes the role of diplomacy in the management of world affairs and examines U.S. strategy and foreign policy. You will critically think about the current and future global geopolitical environment, the use of military force, the informational issues that contribute to the implementation of strategy, and counterterrorism and homeland security. We connect theory to practice and provide you with a hands-on, practical approach to analyze threats that challenge security both at home and abroad.
Why Study National Security and Foreign Affairs Here?
Study at one of only a few universities offering the major with renowned faculty who specialize in national security. We offer broad training in the liberal arts, emphasizing the study of foreign languages. Opportunities to pursue undergraduate research, conduct field studies, and participate in study abroad are available. Many of our students also engage in the Department of State’s Diplomacy Lab Program and Wonk Tank competition.
Beyond the Classroom
Get Involved
Participate in our active student organizations including (Inter)National and Regional Model UN, International Model NATO, International Model Organization of American States (MOAS), National and Regional Model Arab League, and National Model African Union.
Get Experience
Internships and cooperative education programs give you an opportunity to receive academic credit for working in a professional setting. Our students complete internships with the U.S. government, international organizations, and national, state, or local administrative agencies. Talk to an advisor who can help you find and secure a meaningful internship opportunity.
Travel and Learn
Although studying abroad isn't required, it can often be a pivotal experience for you. Living in a different country is the best way to understand the differences and similarities between cultures. It allows you to develop a personal expertise in a specific national or regional context.
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Expert Faculty
Our faculty members are productive authors, scholars, and award-winning teachers who are always eager to mentor students on research projects in their field of interest. We have experts on Japan, the European Union, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, the United Kingdom, and other nations, as well as specialists in topics like international security, citizenship, and human rights. If you'd like some guidance on an undergraduate research project, just ask!
What Our Students Are Saying
"When I first arrived at Virginia Tech, I was petrified of walking into a packed lecture hall. I felt all eyes were on me as I walked down the aisle to find my seat. My fears were quickly erased as my professor began to talk. She inspired me to think of ideas and ask questions that I never knew were possible. She made me feel like I was an individual with a purpose. With a professor like that I knew I picked the best major."
- Dana Mouritzen '18
Careers and Further Study
Tea Ivanovic, '14
Tea served as a policy research and communications intern for the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies in Bruges, Belgium. She’s now pursuing graduate studies in International Relations at The Johns Hopkins University – Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies.
Dana Mouritzen, '18
Dana interned with Accenture Federal Services during her time at Virginia Tech. Working with a government agency to improve their daily functions, she was able to network and combine her National Security classroom experience with federal consulting and contracting. Dana is now a Management Consultant with Accenture Federal Services.
Melanie Sutphin, ‘20
While studying National Security and Foreign Affairs and Arabic, Melanie participated in the VT Arabic in Oman study abroad program, where she learned so much about the Arab culture while studying in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Nizwa Oman. This experience, in addition to internship and research opportunities, helped Melanie line up a job with a federal agency following graduation.
Kennedy Schultz, '21
Kennedy graduated with a major in National Security and Foreign Affairs and a minor in Russian. During his time at VT, he recruited prospective students to CLAHS, served new Hokies as an Orientation Leader, held leadership roles within his fraternity, conducted undergraduate research, and joined the Intelligence Community Associates Program (IC-CAE). These experiences prepared Kennedy to begin his career with the federal government.
Peter Muskett, ’21
While completing his degree in National Security and Foreign Affairs with minors in Geographic Information Science (GIS) and Spanish, Peter worked two summer internships helping build an open-source intelligence tool for the purpose of global situational awareness which was presented to Intelligence Community members and industry leaders. He also completed research in the Hume Center and Tech4Humanity Lab on the capabilities and impact of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (geoAI). Following graduation, Peter will be working as SETA support for an IC contractor and plans to pursue a master’s degree in GEOINT.
Chris Fawthrop, ‘21
While studying National Security and Foreign Affairs, Chris helped found and lead the International Relations Organization at Virginia Tech. He also participated in the Peer Mentor Program for transfer students, served on the board of the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Historical Review, and engaged in research with the Diplomacy Lab. Chris is pursuing a MA in Political Science at Virginia Tech, with specific interest in insurgency structures.
Alexandra Farinaro, ‘21
While completing her degree in National Security and Foreign Affairs with Business and Spanish minors, Alexandra participated in Diplomacy Lab, where she researched multilateral nuclear stability and international diplomacy for the U.S. Department of State. Alexandra also had the opportunity to intern for Transition Professionals and Bergen County Jail in New Jersey working with local advocates, sheriff department officers, and public officials to help ex-offenders successfully re-enter the community. Alexandra is completing a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Fordham University.
Cassidy Koo, '22
Cassidy majored in National Security and Foreign Affairs with minors in Russian and Integrated Security. She had many internship opportunities, including working with the National Security Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the Hume Center. These experiences supported Cassidy as she begins her career in the Intelligence Community.
What do I do with a major in national security and foreign affairs?
The program offers a broad liberal arts education, meaning you'll gain critical thinking and writing skills that apply in any field. Graduates are prepared for careers in the Department of State (Foreign Service), Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, the intelligence community, and Think Tanks. Our alumni include vice-presidents of major banks, managers in multinational corporations, foreign service officers, civil servants in the Pentagon and United States intelligence agencies, and Peace Corps volunteers. Graduates of this program have also been admitted to some of the most prestigious law and graduate schools in the country. Some common careers of our graduates include:
- Customs and Border Patrol Agent
- Secret Service Agent
- Military officers
- Lawyers
- Government service
- Law enforcement
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