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5 Colleges and Universities With Strong Connections to the United Nations
For students passionate about global affairs, human rights, and diplomacy, the United Nations can feel like the ultimate classroom. While many schools offer international relations programs, a select few in the United States stand out for their direct connections to the UN. These colleges and universities provide unique access to briefings, internships, and academic programs tied to the UN’s mission, giving undergraduates a front-row seat to international policy in action.
Here are 5 U.S. colleges and universities with strong ties to the United Nations:
Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA)
Lehigh is one of the few universities certified as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) affiliated with the UN Department of Public Information. This distinction gives students access to private briefings, conferences, and internships at UN headquarters in New York City.
Drew University (Madison, NJ)
Drew offers a signature “Semester on the United Nations” program. Students take part in coursework conducted partly at the UN, meet with diplomats, and gain hands-on experience through internships at UN-affiliated offices.
Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ)
Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations has an exclusive alliance with the United Nations Association of the USA. Students benefit from UN-focused coursework, internships, and lectures by visiting UN diplomats.
Columbia University (New York, NY)
Columbia students engage with the UN through its campus chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA. With its location just minutes from UN headquarters, Columbia offers unparalleled opportunities for students to participate in UN activities and global diplomacy events.
City University of New York (CUNY)
Several CUNY colleges are members of the UN Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative. This affiliation integrates UN principles into coursework and research, while also giving students access to UN resources, conferences, and professional pathways.