International Relations Professor

Career Guide
International Relations Professors teach courses on global politics, conduct original research, publish scholarship, and advise students. They design curricula, supervise theses, and contribute to departmental service and academic communities.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate international relations courses
  • Design syllabi, assignments, and assessments aligned to learning outcomes
  • Advise and mentor students; supervise theses and dissertations
  • Conduct original research; analyze qualitative and quantitative data
  • Publish peer-reviewed articles/books; present at academic conferences
  • Pursue external funding and manage research grants and budgets
  • Participate in departmental governance and curriculum review

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Associate Professor
Full Professor (Professor)
Department Chair or Program Director
Center/Institute Director
Transition Opportunities
Policy Analyst (think tank or government)
International Development Program Officer
Foreign Affairs Analyst or Diplomatic Service (with added credentials)
Research Director at a policy institute

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
Peer-reviewed publication track recordAdvanced research design and methods (qualitative and quantitative)University-level course design and assessmentGrant writing and managementArea/regional specialization or language proficiency
Development SuggestionsComplete a PhD or postdoc with publishable research and submit to IR journals; teach as a TA/adjunct to build syllabi, assessments, and grant-writing experience.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry Level$60,000-$80,000
Mid Level$80,000-$110,000
Senior Level$110,000-$160,000
Growth Trend
stable — Enrollment and funding drive hiring; limited tenure openings offset growth

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
Georgetown UniversityJohns Hopkins University (SAIS)George Washington University
Industry Sectors
Higher EducationResearch & Policy Institutes

Recommended Next Steps

1
Target funded PhD programs in IR/Political Science emphasizing research methods; complete CITI training early.
2
Teach as instructor of record or adjunct and prepare sample syllabi; gather strong teaching evaluations.
3
Present at ISA/APSA; submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals; consider a Quality Matters online teaching certificate.