Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs

Formerly known as: Bachelor of Arts major in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs

Program Length: 9 Trimesters

Careers: Policy Officer/Analyst, Programme/Project, Manager Legal Officer, Migration Officer, Political Economist, Political Scientist, Protocol Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Researcher, Academician, Diplomat, Civil Servant, Conference Organizer, Consular Officer, Development Worker, Foreign Affairs Officer, Human Rights Advocate, Social Scientist, Trade Specialist/Analyst

The Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs (AB-DIA) is an innovative program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of global dynamics, international relations, and contemporary diplomacy. The curriculum blends theoretical foundations with practical applications, emphasizing the roles of both state and non-state actors in shaping international affairs. A distinctive feature of the program is its multi-track approach to diplomacy, covering Track 1 Diplomacy (official state-to-state interactions), Track 2 Diplomacy (engagements between state and non-state actors), and Track 1.5 Diplomacy, which bridges these two tracks by fostering dialogues between government representatives and non-state actors.

The program offers specialized courses in areas such as National and International Security, Philippine Trade Relations, and International Political Economy, all designed to deepen students’ understanding of global governance, economic development, and the interconnection between domestic and international issues. Graduates are equipped with advanced competencies in consular work, diplomatic protocols, policy development, negotiation, and international advocacy, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to modern diplomacy. Through this curriculum, students gain both academic rigor and practical expertise while exploring the role of diverse actors such as international organizations, the private sector, and civil society in addressing global challenges and fostering cooperative solutions.

Diplomacy sets the global pace.

This course is for you if you want to travel and help address the issues that affect the world. You will learn to:

  • analyze the role of foreign policy as a critical tool for state and national security, and design informed strategies for its formulation and implementation in response to contemporary global challenges;

  • evaluate and apply strategic frameworks grounded in ethical principles to assess Philippine foreign policy, international law, and human rights, fostering a nuanced understanding of their interconnectedness;

  • construct coherent and persuasive arguments in written and oral communication through structured debates and practical simulations, enhancing skills in critical analysis, interpretation, and reasoning;

  • articulate the pivotal role of national security as a cornerstone of foreign policy and examine its interconnections with international trade, economics, development, and diplomacy through rigorous discourse, panel presentations, and multidimensional analyses (economic, political, social, cultural, and environmental);

  • produce well-crafted diplomatic correspondence and official documents by applying specialized knowledge of diplomatic rules, protocol, social etiquette, and historical context, demonstrated through simulation exercises and practical applications;

  • synthesize insights from exposure to national and international conventions to foster a sense of nationalism and responsibility, enabling students to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Philippine diplomatic policy;

  • critically assess Philippine foreign policy and international law as foundational frameworks for making informed, ethical, and strategic decisions aligned with national interests and the promotion of human rights; and

  • formulate governance strategies that integrate ecological sustainability and human development goals by conducting situational and policy analyses, incorporating gender mainstreaming and inclusive planning approaches.

For the future guardians and movers of the world.

The School of Diplomacy and Governance (SDG) is one of the latest additions to the learner-centered and industry-focused schools within the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. SDG was created to respond to the changing times, brought about by Globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Benildean-Lasallian way.

We lay the foundations of servant-leaders.

Former career ambassadors assigned in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe make up half of our faculty. Some are also still active in the field of diplomacy and international relations as consultants, examiners, policy advisers and the like.

Faculty members are required to undergo a number of trainings or workshops on online teaching, inclusion, teaching methodologies, and classroom management. Further, they are also assigned to serve as Research Coordinator, Thesis Adviser, Practicum Coordinator, or Academic Adviser to facilitate student formation and learning.

Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities

Simulation Workshops

  • Benilde Model United Nations
  • Diplomatic League Global Summit
  • Harvard World Model United Nations
  • National Model United Nations
  • Open Trade Asia Negotiations Simulation
  • POSIBLE: An SDG Youth Action Building Workshop


Research Conferences / Colloquia

  • SDG Research Colloquium Annual
  • Annual Conference on the Muslim World
  • Philippine Society for Public Administration
  • Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations


Immersion Programs

  • The WGI Global Leadership Program
  • Strasbourg Immersion Program
  • Spain Immersion Program
  • Chinese Summer Camp


Internships

Student Organizations

  • LEADers in Diplomacy
  • Central Student Government-SDG

Our global partners widen our reach.

SDG reaffirms its dedication to diversifying learning opportunities for students by actively seeking, engaging, and collaborating with partner organizations in various part of the globe.

A Vertical Home for Hybrid Learning

The Atrium@Benilde Campus, a ten-storey academic hub, is built for inclusive learning and hybrid classes. It welcomes diverse minds, encourages fresh thinking, and brings the campus experience into a vertical space.