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    International Relations Summer Program
    In-person Program

    International Relations Summer Program

    by USC Pre-College

    USC’s global affairs course combines international relations theory, United Nations simulations and independent research to explore conflict and cooperation.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    International Relations Summer Program at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    High school; completed ninth grade

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-18

    Location / Region

    University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States

    Cost

    $11,570; $8,130; $12,208

    Duration

    4 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next session

    21 June-15 July 2027

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    International RelationsPolitics
    Accommodation: Shared university residence-hall rooms
    Meals: Residential: three dining-hall meals daily
    Certificate / Outcome: Three units of elective college credit
    Campus experience: Libraries, computer labs, supervised activities
    Tutors / faculty: USC faculty and experienced professionals
    Class day: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; 5-6 instructional hours
    Main output: Individual research project and paper presentation

    International Relations Summer Program summary

    USC combines international relations theory with practical exploration of conflict, cooperation and global policy. Students use case studies to understand the choices behind international headlines.

    United Nations simulations, negotiation exercises and an independent research project make this an active academic experience. It suits students who enjoy discussing difficult questions and testing ideas against real cases.

    What is International Relations Summer Program?

    The International Relations Summer Program is USC Pre-College’s academic course on world conflict, diplomacy and cooperation. It introduces international relations theories alongside questions about terrorism, human rights, genocide, environmental degradation and popular culture.

    Students connect these ideas to policy through case studies, role-playing and negotiation exercises. United Nations Security Council simulations and an individual research project give them opportunities to develop and defend practical responses to global problems.

    Why Succeed highlights International Relations Summer Program

    • The course connects academic theories to concrete conflicts, helping students move beyond headline-level opinions.

    • Security Council simulations and negotiation exercises require students to work through competing interests.

    • The individual case study gives students scope to develop practical conflict-resolution proposals.

    • A research project, presentations and final exam provide a substantial test of academic interest.

    • Successful completion earns university elective credit with transfer determined by the receiving college.

    Who is International Relations Summer Program for?

    Best for

    Students interested in diplomacy, politics, human rights or conflict resolution who want to test their ideas through research and discussion.

    Not ideal if

    You want a lightly structured vacation or cannot commit to full class attendance, assessed work and group simulations.

    Is International Relations Summer Program worth it?

    This is a strong option if you want to find out whether international relations remains interesting when it involves theory, research and contested policy choices. Simulations and an individual project give you specific experiences to reflect on, rather than relying on attendance alone.

    The financial commitment deserves careful comparison because USC does not offer financial aid for this program. College credit is a useful outcome, but another university decides whether to accept it, and participation does not guarantee admission to USC.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $11,570; $8,130; $12,208; includes Tuition for a three-unit elective-credit course., Textbooks, course materials and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Mandatory Student Health Center access., Residential option: a shared residence-hall room., Residential option: three daily dining-hall meals and specified field-trip meals..

    Accommodation

    Shared university residence-hall rooms

    Meals

    Residential: three dining-hall meals daily

    Provider details

    Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    4 weeks; University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does International Relations Summer Program need?

    Effort level

    High, with substantial daily instruction and assessed work.

    Best started

    Begin planning for 2027 around November, allowing several weeks for the essay and school documents and longer for international travel preparation.

    Main challenge

    Moving between competing perspectives while building a defensible policy argument.

    Typical preparation

    • Follow one international conflict and compare how several reliable publications explain it.

    • Practice explaining a policy proposal and responding respectfully to objections.

    • Ask your recommender and school administrator early, and write the application essay independently.

    • Arrange a laptop and business casual outfit; international applicants should plan immigration documents before finalizing travel.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in international relations before choosing further study.

    What do students do on International Relations Summer Program?

    You study international relations theories and then apply them to conflicts and shared global challenges. Discussion, simulations, field learning and independent research build toward paper presentations and a final exam.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Examine international relations theories, cultural conflict and genocide, including a Museum of Tolerance field trip.

    2. 2

      Explore the UN and other international actors through Security Council, environmental protection and historical memory activities.

    3. 3

      Investigate pandemics, women’s status and climate change through cooperative simulations.

    4. 4

      Analyze major geopolitical questions and present your research before completing the final exam.

    International Relations Summer Program dates and deadlines

    Application deadline

    8 May 2026

    Domestic applicants; 2026 reference cycle.

    Past

    International Relations (2026)

    22 June-17 July 2026

    Published 2026 program date range.

    Past

    International Relations (2027)

    21 June-15 July 2027

    USC-wide summer schedule; application information is due in November.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Complete at least ninth grade before the program starts.

    • Be a domestic or international high school student.

    • Pursue a rigorous high school curriculum.

    • Attend every class; late arrival is not accommodated.

    • International applicants must provide accepted English proficiency scores or a waiver.

    • International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.

    • Commuters must live with a parent or guardian in eligible counties.

    How much does International Relations Summer Program cost?

    Program cost

    $8,130; $11,570; $12,208 — Commuter, domestic residential and international residential estimates.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $85 — Nonrefundable.
    • Seat deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; applied toward the program total.
    • Financial aid: Not offered
    • Visa application: $185 — Government fee when applicable; additional to USC costs.
    • SEVIS I-901: $350 — Government fee when applicable; additional to USC costs.

    What's included

    Tuition for a three-unit elective-credit course., Textbooks, course materials and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and off-campus recreational trips., Mandatory Student Health Center access., Residential option: a shared residence-hall room., Residential option: three daily dining-hall meals and specified field-trip meals.

    How to apply to International Relations Summer Program

    1. 1

      Create an account in USC’s Summer Programs portal using your legal name and a regularly checked email address.

    2. 2

      Complete the application and independently write the required 300-500 word essay.

    3. 3

      Request an online recommendation from a teacher, counselor or mentor.

    4. 4

      Ask a school administrator to upload your PDF transcript through the application.

    5. 5

      Pay the $85 application fee, complete every task, review your application and click Submit.

    6. 6

      Monitor your portal and email for the decision and, if accepted, pay the deposit and complete the required forms.

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    What does International Relations Summer Program cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Week 1: Theory and cultural conflict

    Study international relations theories, cultural causes of conflict and genocide through presentations, a worksheet and a Museum of Tolerance visit.

    Week 2: International actors

    Examine the UN, environmental cooperation and historical memory through a Security Council simulation, environmental protection game and truth-commission activity.

    Week 3: Global cooperation

    Explore pandemics, women’s status and climate change through a fictional outbreak simulation and a joint activity with the Global Health class.

    Week 4: Geopolitics and future challenges

    Analyze China-U.S. relations, India, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and nuclear weapons while completing simulations, paper presentations and a final exam.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on International Relations Summer Program?

    A typical day during the program.

    Classes

    Five to six instructional hours per day, with breaks for lunch or field trips.

    Residential activities

    Residential advisors and staff supervise activities such as games, socials and outdoor movies.

    Recreational excursions

    Organized trips may visit local beaches, theme parks or sports events.

    Residential curfew

    Residents must return to their assigned hall each night.

    Who teaches on International Relations Summer Program?

    USC Summer Programs courses are taught by USC faculty and experienced professionals from the university’s academic community. The International Relations course combines theoretical study with active simulations, role-playing and negotiation.

    Where do students stay on International Relations Summer Program?

    Residential plan

    • Shared residence-hall room: Students share university housing with gender-specific roommate and floormate assignments.
    • Dining plan: Room and board includes three daily dining-hall meals and specified field-trip meals.
    • Residential support: Live-in advisors are available at all times, with a daytime nurse and an after-hours wellness hotline.
    • Campus activities: Staff supervise evening activities, and organized weekend excursions explore local attractions.

    Non-residential plan

    • Local commuter option: Eligible students live with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County.
    • Activities and transport: Commuters may join organized activities and must use program transportation for field trips.
    • Commuter meals: Meals are purchased separately; commuter meal plans are not offered.

    Roommate requests cannot be accommodated; international participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.

    What happens after International Relations Summer Program?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Earn three units of USC elective credit upon successful completion.

    Develop an individual case study and research project.

    Present a paper on an international relations topic.

    Request an official grade transcript from USC’s registrar.

    Build faculty connections that may lead to a college recommendation letter.

    Credit transfer depends on the receiving college; recommendation letters and undergraduate admission are not guaranteed.

    Where does International Relations Summer Program take place?

    The program takes place at USC’s University Park Campus in Los Angeles, with access to university libraries, computer labs and campus facilities. Academic field learning includes a Museum of Tolerance visit, while organized recreational activities explore the wider city.

    International participants arrange their own travel; USC does not provide early-arrival or late-departure housing.

    International Relations Summer Program FAQs

    You will study international relations theories, peace and conflict resolution, religion in politics, terrorism, human rights, genocide, and popular culture’s relationship with politics. Case studies and simulations connect these topics to practical policy choices.

    Successful completion earns three units of USC elective credit. Other colleges decide whether to accept those units, so keep your course syllabus.

    Eligible local participants may commute while living with a parent or legal guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County. International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.

    Classes run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with breaks, and each course involves five to six instructional hours per day. The International Relations course includes research, presentations, simulations and a final exam.

    Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times. A residential nurse works during published daytime hours, while a 24-hour wellness hotline provides after-hours medical advice.

    USC Summer Programs does not offer financial aid or assistance. USC employee tuition benefits also do not apply.

    No. Participation can demonstrate academic interest and produces college elective credit, but it does not guarantee undergraduate admission to USC.

    Bring your own laptop and at least one business casual outfit for field trips. Residential participants should also follow USC’s packing guidance.

    Alternatives to International Relations Summer Program

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

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    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Summer Programs Application Management
    • USC Summer Programs Safety | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Transcripts | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs FAQs | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Policies | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs International Application | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Residential and Commuter Experience | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Overview | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs Application and Admission | USC Pre-College
    • USC Summer Programs | USC Pre-College
    • International Relations Summer Program | USC Pre-College

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page checked

    • Application requirements reviewed

    • Cycle dates distinguished

    • Fee options compared

    • Credit conditions reviewed

    • Residential support checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.