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International Security Studies

International Security Studies

What is International Security Studies (ISS)?

The ISS major helps students understand the causes of major contemporary security threats and foreign policy challenges, and the policy tools available to respond to them.

Do my interests fit?

ISS students typically have interests in:

  • International security
  • Foreign policy
  • Great power politics
  • War and violent conflict
  • Nuclear weapons
  • Cybersecurity policy
  • International law and organizations
  • Conflict resolution
  • Human rights

International Security Studies FAQ

The ISS major prepares students for a variety of public-sector careers in foreign policy and the intelligence community, non-profit careers with think tanks and NGOs, as well as for private-sector careers with large companies and government contractors. Our majors also frequently go on to law school, or to graduate school programs in international affairs. Beyond career preparation, the major provides students with advanced knowledge about world affairs and improves students’ writing and analytical skills.

Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in International Security Studies.

There are numerous organizations International Develoment students can be a part of:

  • International Security Students Association
  • Model United Nations
  • CIS Ambassadors

Typical minors students study within the International Security Studies  major include:

  • Political Science
  • History
  • Journalism
  • Economics
  • International Business
  • Modern Languages

Some of our most popular courses in ISS include:

  • Global Security
  • National Security Policy
  • Political Violence in Comparative Perspective
  • Global Cybersecurity Issues
  • International Law
  • Great Power Politics
  • Russian Foreign Policy
  • International Peacebuilding
  • Illicit Trafficking
  • International Activism
  • The Practice of Diplomacy
  • How to Be a Dictator

ISS majors can easily study abroad through programs in nearly 80 countries. Locations that have been especially attractive to ISS majors include a broad variety of offerings at our OU Study Centers in Arezzo, Italy and Puebla, Mexico. Programs to France, Brazil, Peru, Spain, England, Scotland, Japan and Taiwan have also been popular. ISS majors can also "study away" in Washington DC during an annual Spring Break trip with a College of International Studies faculty member.

  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Congressional or Legislative Staff
  • Research Analyst
  • NGO Staff
  • International Civil Servant
  • International Aid Worker

Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website to explore the median pay for jobs you can pursue with this degree. 

Program Accreditation

The International Security Studies major is part of OU's fully accredited David L. Boren College of International Studies, which meets high standards for academic excellence in international and area studies.


David L. Boren College of International Studies
Phone: (405) 325-1396
Email: cis@ou.edu
Website: ou.edu/cis