The founding of schools of international affairs was urged by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during the height of the Cold War.

His initiative called together thirteen University presidents, including AU's Hurst Robins Anderson, encouraging them to create human-focused international affairs programs dedicated to preparing practitioners for foreign policy beyond the U.S.–Soviet rivalry.

[citation needed] In response, SIS was founded with the mission to establish a school based on service to the global community.

In 1981 SIS inaugurated the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies to address concerns that American universities lacked an appropriate venue for exploring the greater Muslim-Western understanding.

In 2004, plans were initiated for a new, 70,000-square-foot (6,500 m2), academic building designed by architect William McDonough, which was completed in spring 2010.

The Ph.D. program in International Relations at SIS prepares students for careers as teachers and scholars at universities and research institutes in the private and public sectors.

Ph.D. field concentrations include Development Studies; Global Environment; Global Governance & International Organizations; Peace & Conflict Resolution; Political Violence; Security; Technology, Culture & Social Change; and United States Foreign Policy and National Security.