If you’re curious about how countries make decisions, why global conflicts happen, or how diplomacy actually works, a pre-college international relations program is one of the best ways to explore that interest. You get to dive into global politics, negotiation, foreign policy-making, and international law in a way that goes far beyond what most school-year courses can offer. These programs place you directly in the world of ambassadors, analysts, and policymakers, whether you’re running a Model UN simulation, drafting a policy memo, debating human rights issues, or working with peers from different countries.
You’ll build core skills like research, negotiation, public speaking, and analytical reasoning through hands-on workshops and real-world case studies. Instead of reading about diplomacy, you experience it through crisis simulations, guest lectures from practitioners, and collaborative projects that mirror how global decisions are made. The concentrated nature of pre-college international relations programs enhances the ability to grasp complex concepts quickly, and you build global networks through interactions with international peers and expert guest lecturers, fostering a real-world perspective and professional connections early on.
Below is a list of 15 top pre-college international relations programs for high school students to give you a meaningful head start and a clearer sense of where your interests can take you.
15 Pre-College International Relations Programs for High School Students
1. University of Southern California – International Relations Summer Program
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cost: $85 application fee; Domestic Residential: $11,570; Domestic Commuter: $8,130 | International students: $12,208 + $185 Visa Application fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 13
Subject Areas and Focus: IR theory, conflict analysis, peacebuilding, global governance, human rights, political culture
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the 9th grade by the program’s start; international students must demonstrate English proficiency in one of these ways
This program immerses you in foundational international relations theories and teaches you to analyze conflicts using structured case-study methods. You will work through simulations such as UN Security Council negotiations, which help you practice procedural rules, drafting resolutions, and position-building. The curriculum includes exposure to thematic areas like human rights, global terrorism, and environmental governance, giving you a broad analytical toolkit for evaluating global events. You will also learn how to build policy prescriptions using evidence-based frameworks and develop an independent case study focused on diplomatic or conflict-resolution strategies. Sessions often incorporate collaborative problem-solving utilizing laptops for research, document preparation, and presentation work.
2. Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN)
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Cost: Varies by delegate ($110-$120-$200), delegation ($110-$120-$200), and faculty advisor ($90-$100-$150) as per fee deadlines (October 1, November 1, December 15)
Dates: January 29 – February 1
Application Deadline: December 1
Subject Areas and Focus: Diplomacy, UN procedure, global governance, international relations, negotiation
Eligibility: Students aged 13 or older or recently graduated from high school during the conference
HMUN trains you in formal UN parliamentary procedure, structured negotiation, and real-time policy drafting through committee simulations led by Harvard undergraduates. You will use research briefs, position papers, and resolution-writing frameworks to represent a country and argue its stance on global issues. Committees require you to interpret geopolitical events, map stakeholder interests, and apply IR concepts such as cooperation theory and collective-action models. You also practice bloc-building and amendment workflows, which mirror real diplomatic processes. The conference setting reinforces fast-paced analytical thinking as you respond to moderated and unmoderated caucus dynamics.
3. Georgetown University – International Relations Academy
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Residential: $3,725; Commuter: $3,095 + $50 application fee
Dates: Session I: June 21 – 27; Session II: July 19 – 25
Application Deadline: April 15
Subject Areas and Focus: International system structure, foreign policy instruments, intelligence, international law, ethics, nuclear strategy, terrorism, development, global health, international cooperation
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
This one-week academy immerses you in core IR concepts such as balance of power, foreign policy tools, and models of international cooperation. You examine issues like nuclear proliferation, terrorism, environmental politics, and global health through lectures, case-based discussions, and structured analytical frameworks. Off-site visits and practitioner talks expose you to policy work across D.C., allowing you to see how intelligence, law, and diplomacy interact in real decision-making. You also participate in an international crisis simulation where you apply negotiation models, scenario analysis, and rapid policy drafting. The capstone project reinforces research, argumentation, and policy-brief writing skills commonly used in IR training.
4. Yale Model United Nations (YMUN)
Location: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Cost: $90 per Delegate; $70 per Advisor; financial aid is available
Dates: January 15 – 18
Application Deadline: January 1
Subject Areas and Focus: Diplomacy, UN procedure, global governance, humanitarian crises, conflict analysis, and resolution drafting
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) participating through school or independent delegations
YMUN offers intensive committee sessions where you apply UN procedural rules, negotiate country positions, and draft resolutions addressing current and historical global issues. Committees are capped at small sizes, which increases the emphasis on research depth, bloc-building strategy, and sustained diplomatic negotiation. You analyze humanitarian crises, geopolitical disputes, and international policy mechanisms using structured debate frameworks. The conference also includes “Yale Day,” which exposes you to university-style lectures and IR discussions led by Yale affiliates. Over four days, you practice advanced speechcraft, coalition formation, and policy-writing workflows that mirror real diplomatic environments.
5. Tufts University – Pre-College International Relations Program
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, Massachusetts
Cost: Commuter: $4,225; Residential: $5,750; limited need-based financial aid is available
Dates: July 19 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 1
Subject Areas and Focus: IR theory, foreign policy analysis, diplomacy, crisis simulations, international law, global health, development, trade, plus optional language study (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French, Spanish, English)
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders or spring high school graduates
This two-week program provides structured exposure to IR concepts, including power distribution, economic interdependence, and global governance frameworks. Seminars with faculty from Tufts’ Fletcher School require you to analyze case studies spanning conflict, public health, climate politics, and international development using academic research methods. The crisis simulation pushes you to apply negotiation models, scenario planning, and rapid policy formulation under time pressure. You’ll also work on a college-level research paper supported by faculty mentors, strengthening your evidence-based writing and argumentation skills. Optional language training introduces you to communication tools relevant to diplomatic work and regional studies.
6. Columbia University – Introduction to International Relations and Great Power
Location: Columbia University, New York City
Cost: $80 application fee; Residential: $12,764 per session; Commuter: $6,310 per session; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Summer A: June 29 – July 17; Summer B: July 21 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 2
Subject Areas and Focus: IR theory, great-power competition, macroeconomic statecraft, foreign policy analysis, U.S.–China–Russia strategic dynamics
Eligibility: All high school students
This course introduces you to foundational IR theories and uses them to interpret major shifts in the global order, from the rise and fall of great powers to strategic competition among leading states. You examine contemporary geopolitical behavior using structured case analyses, linking theoretical concepts to real-world foreign policy decisions. The second half integrates economic statecraft, introducing macroeconomic tools used by states to influence global outcomes and advance national interests. Class sessions require you to interpret data-driven perspectives on the U.S., China, and Russia’s economic capabilities and strategic positioning. The dual focus on theory and applied economic analysis builds strong analytical reasoning skills relevant to international politics and global strategy.
7. Yale International Relations Leadership Institute (YIRLI)
Location: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Cost: $2,200 + $20 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: June 3 – 8
Application Deadline: March 9
Subject Areas and Focus: International relations, diplomacy, leadership, Model UN procedure, global affairs analysis
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 11–12 (ages 16–18), domestic or international
YIRLI is a residential IR program led by Yale students that trains you in structured debate, public speaking, policy writing, and analytical reasoning using real international issues as case foundations. You engage in workshops covering global governance, conflict analysis, and negotiation frameworks typically used in collegiate IR settings. Sessions incorporate structured discussions, research tasks, and Model UN–style simulations requiring procedural accuracy and strategic bloc-building. You also interact with Yale faculty and guest speakers to learn how academic IR theory links to applied policy work. Living in Yale’s residential colleges offers additional exposure to academic environments and collaborative learning contexts.
8. Pace University – International Relations (Model U.N.) Summer Program
Location: Pace University, New York City
Cost: $890 for the 2-week program
Dates: July Session: July 13 – 24; August Session: August 10 – 21
Application Deadline: July Session: June 15; August Session: July 15
Subject Areas and Focus: International relations, Model UN procedure, diplomacy, cultural analysis, negotiation, argumentation skills, English communication
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ meeting minimum English proficiency (CEFR B1, TOEFL 55, or IELTS 5.5); students will be sent a placement exam after registration
This two-week program blends introductory IR concepts with Model UN training, giving you structured practice in negotiation, argumentation, and policy reasoning. Classes emphasize analytical reading, research, and speaking exercises designed to help you interpret global issues through an IR framework while developing strong academic English. You also work through diplomacy simulations and group discussions to apply IR concepts such as cultural perspectives, global governance, and conflict-solving strategies. Pre-arrival online modules introduce you to essential terminology and background knowledge before you begin in-person sessions. Visits to the United Nations and guided walking tours provide real-world context for understanding how international institutions operate.
9. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program (RMP) – Global Studies Track
Location: UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) in Santa Barbara, California (in-person component)
Cost: Residential: $13,274; Commuter: $5,675; need-based scholarships are available
Dates:
Application Deadline: March 9
Subject Areas and Focus: Global Political Economy and Development, Global Cultures and Ideology, Global Governance, immigration, human rights, environmental sustainability, and development
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 | Minimum GPA of 3.8 | Exceptional 9th graders may be considered | Not concurrently enroll in other courses or programs during RMP
The UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program (RMP) Global Studies Track is an intensive, six-week experience where high-achieving high school students dive into college-level research on globalization and pressing transnational issues. You are mentored one-on-one by UCSB faculty or graduate researchers to explore complex subjects like global political economy, human rights, or environmental governance. The program requires you to conduct original research, learn how to write a university-level paper, and deliver a formal research presentation to your peers and mentors. A unique feature is the high degree of individualized mentorship and the opportunity to develop crucial skills in critical thinking, advanced academic writing, and public communication.
10. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) – International Diplomacy
Location: Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) & Columbia University (New York City)
Cost: $4,495 (residential); scholarships are available
Dates: June 12 – 20; June 24 – July 2
Application Deadline: Rolling admission; recommended by March 1; spaces may fill early
Subject Areas and Focus: Diplomacy, foreign policy, negotiation, cultural analysis, leadership frameworks, global governance
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) between ages 14 – 18
This nine-day program places you in simulated diplomatic roles where you practice negotiation strategies, analyze foreign policy scenarios, and work through IR challenges that mirror real UN decision-making. During sessions, you will interpret global power dynamics, assess cultural and economic variables in state behavior, and apply structured communication models during multilateral discussions. Guest speakers provide applied insights into diplomacy and national security, helping you link IR theory with practitioner perspectives. Field trips and behind-the-scenes visits offer additional context on how international institutions operate. The leadership modules integrate analytical self-assessment tools and communication frameworks relevant to diplomatic work.
11. Syracuse University – International Relations
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
Cost: Residential: $4,895; Commuter: $3,919; discounts and scholarships are available
Dates: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically, May 1
Subject Areas and Focus: IR theory, global governance, conflict & security, human rights, international law, climate politics, migration, global health
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders or high school graduates in the application year
This two-week, credit-bearing course trains you to analyze global politics using frameworks like realism, liberalism, constructivism, and world-systems theory. You’ll practice applying these models to questions of conflict, governance, and global cooperation through lectures, group analysis, and workshop-style labs. Coursework builds technical skills in political science research, argumentation, and policy evaluation while pushing you to connect theory to contemporary issues such as climate change, migration, and human rights. Afternoon sessions emphasize hands-on problem-solving, preparing you to interpret global events using structured analytical methods.
12. Georgetown University – International Relations College Credit
Location: Online (self-paced)
Cost: $3,995
Dates: Multiple 8- and 12-week sessions offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; closes ~1 week before each session
Subject Areas and Focus: International systems, foreign policy analysis, human rights, global conflict, international law, economic statecraft, environmental politics
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
This online for-credit course introduces you to the foundations of international relations through topics like global governance, human rights, conflict, and foreign policy strategy. You’ll explore how states, institutions, and non-state actors shape modern geopolitics, while learning core analytical frameworks used in college-level IR courses. The curriculum includes simulations, multimedia case studies, and a final capstone where you act as a head-of-state navigating a global crisis. You’ll develop writing, research, and policy-analysis skills with structured TA support throughout the program. Students who complete all coursework earn an official Georgetown University transcript with academic credit.
13. Georgetown University – Model United Nations Institute
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Day Camp starts at $1,400; Overnight camp starts at $2,750; limited financial aid is available
Dates: Day Camp: June 22 – 26; June 29 – July 3; July 6 – 10 | Overnight Camp: June 21 – 27; June 28 – July 3; July 5 – 11
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Subject Areas and Focus: Global Security and Conflict, Human Rights and Social IssuesPolitical and Economic Development, Climate Change and Environmental Policy, Diplomatic Strategy, Public Speaking and Debate, Advanced Research, Policy Writing
Eligibility: High school students ages 14 – 17
The Model United Nations (MUN) Institute at Georgetown is an intense, practical training program designed to transform high school students into master diplomats. It focuses less on academic theory and more on the hands-on application of International Relations (IR), covering real-world topics like global security, human rights, and economic development. You spend your time actively engaged in activities like drafting resolutions, participating in advanced crisis simulations, and delivering persuasive speeches. A key unique feature is the mentorship provided by top university-level MUN champions. By the end, you walk away with refined skills in negotiation, critical thinking, diplomacy, and world-class public speaking.
14. Yale Young Global Scholars – Politics, Law & Economics (PLE)
Location: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Cost: $7,000; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 3; Session II: July 5 – July 17; Session III: July 19 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 7
Subject Areas and Focus: Governance, political theory, international policy, legal frameworks, global inequality, conflict & cooperation, economic systems
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders between ages 16 – 18 by July 19 and are first-time participants
This two-week academic program immerses you in the analytical foundations of international relations through political theory, comparative governance, international law, and economic systems. You can expect seminar-style discussions that train you to interpret global events using frameworks like institutionalism, rational choice, and theories of justice. You’ll work with primary sources, policy documents, and interdisciplinary research to strengthen argumentation and evidence-based reasoning. Faculty-led lectures expose you to topics such as global inequality, public policy design, conflict drivers, and transnational governance structures. You’ll also engage in collaborative projects requiring data analysis, policy evaluation methods, and structured academic writing, mirroring college-level IR coursework.
15. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Washington, D.C. (U.S. Capitol Complex + U.S. Senate Page Dormitory)
Cost/Stipend: Residence living cost is $1,200 per month which is offset by an annual salary receipt of $37,238
Dates: Fall Session: September 1 – January 23; Spring Session: January 25 – June 5; Summer Session I: June; Summer Session II: July
Application Deadline: Fall: May; Spring: September; Summer: February
Subject Areas and Focus: Legislative processes, federal government operations, civic leadership, public service, political communication
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors | Must be 16–17 years old at the time of appointment | Minimum 3.0 GPA and submit health documentation completed by a licensed physician and a certification of immunization | U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Must be sponsored by a U.S. Senator
In this program, pages assist Senators by delivering correspondence, preparing the Senate Chamber, organizing legislative documents, and supporting daily floor operations, an immersion that mirrors the fast pace of federal lawmaking. Students attend the fully accredited U.S. Senate Page School each morning, balancing coursework with professional responsibilities in the afternoons and evenings. You’ll gain operational familiarity with bills, amendments, and procedural rules while developing time-management and communication skills under real legislative pressures. The experience also includes living in supervised dorms steps away from the Capitol, fostering independence and daily collaboration with motivated peers from across the country.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like global politics, political theory, and international relations, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – UC Santa Barbara