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Bachelor of Arts, Political Science

Political Science, the application of the scientific method to the study of politics, is concerned with understanding political phenomena and developing citizens who are aware of their political rights and responsibilities. The political science major at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ has three broad objectives. The first is to convey to students knowledge about the subfields within the discipline, with an emphasis on American government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, and public administration. The second is to provide students with the skills needed for active and effective participation in the democratic process. The final objective is to prepare students for careers associated with politics, government, nonprofits, and the private sector.

The political science major provides an excellent background for admission to law school and is a solid foundation for graduate work in political science, public administration, international affairs, public policy and urban planning. In addition to preparing students for graduate work, the conceptual and methodological skills developed in the major equip students for employment by local, state, and national organizations, corporations, and nonprofit groups located in the U.S. and foreign countries, international organizations such as the United Nations, the print and electronic media, and secondary education.

After the completion of core requirements, our flexible, student-driven curriculum allows political science majors to tailor their electives to their particular career and graduate school goals. The political science major offers electives in the following areas of study:

• American Politics
• International Relations 
• Comparative Politics
• Public Law
• Public Administration 
• Public Policy
• Political Theory

Getting Started

Students begin by taking two of the three introductory political science courses. POS 2041 and INR 2002 may also be used to satisfy ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ's General Education curriculum requirements:

• POS 2041 Introduction to American Government (3 Credits)
• CPO 2002 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 Credits)
• INR 2002 Introduction to International Relations (3 Credits)

Major Courses

All Political Science Majors are then required to take 6 hours of core classes focusing on the process of scientific inquiry into politics. These courses promote critical thinking, as well as skills in research design, quantitative analysis, statistical literacy, and data science:

• POS 3733 Research Design for Poli Sci (3 Credits)
• POS 3734 Research Analysis for Poli Sci (3 Credits)

Students then take 24 hours of major electives, allowing them to tailor their program of study to their particular interests, career goals, or graduate school plans. The department also offers fast-track/accelerated pathway admission into our graduate programs in Public Administration (MPA) and International Affairs (MAIA), where students take graduate credits as part of their undergraduate minor or major electives, allowing them to earn both a BA and a Masters degree in fewer semesters.