Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

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About

Are you interested in entering the world of politics? The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science is meant for you!

  • If you want to focus more on political science or plan to attend graduate school, consider the 72-credit option.
  • We also offer an 82-credit pre-law option for students who aspire to attend law school or work as paralegals.

In this major, you’ll study U.S. politics, the American judicial process, political theory throughout history, world politics, and more. You’ll get hands-on experience through research and presentations in a capstone course and graduate with a strong portfolio of academic work.

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Student Spotlight

Alesia Levchenko, a junior political science major and a recipient of the 2025-2026 Jeffers Chertok Memorial Award/Scholarship, has distinguished herself as one of 51福利社鈥檚 most dynamic and effective student leaders.

As president of 51福利社鈥檚 Political and International Affairs Community, a student organization, Levchenko has helped to organize civic engagement events aimed at elevating campus-wide dialogue on critical political and international issues.

鈥淚 have learned invaluable leadership and organizational skills through working to provide many campus-wide events for students, all while fostering an important sense of community for anybody who wants to be a member,鈥� she says.

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Alesia Levchenko

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official , which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Political Science Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Two years of a single high school foreign language or one year of a single college-level foreign language is required for this degree.

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Required Introductory Courses
INTRODUCTION TO US POLITICS5
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY5
INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS5
INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL POLITICS5
Required Disciplinary Core Courses – 300-level35
At the 300 level, take 15 credits from one subfield, and 10 credits from the other two subfields (Subfield Distribution List below)
Subfield 1: 15 credits
Subfield 2: 10 credits
Subfield 3: 10 credits
Required Disciplinary Core Courses – 400-level 10
At the 400 level (below 470), take 5 credits from each of two separate subfields (Subfield Distribution List below)
Subfield 1: 5 credits
Subfield 2: 5 credits
Subfield Distribution Lists
American Government and Politics
U.S. JUDICIAL PROCESS
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES
JURISPRUDENCE
BASIC CONCEPTS OF CRIMINAL LAW
U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM
AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
FEDERALISM, STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS
THE U.S. PRESIDENCY
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
U.S. CONGRESS
U.S. POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS
MOCK TRIAL I
TOPICS IN AMERICAN POLITICS
MOCK TRIAL II
International Relations/Comparative Politics
INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
U.S. FOREIGN POLICY
COMPARATIVE AND INTERNATIONAL WATER POLICY
EUROPEAN POLITICS
POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
POLITICS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
POLITICS OF SOUTH ASIA
TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Political Philosophy
JURISPRUDENCE
ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THOUGHT
MODERN WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT
AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
MARX AND MARXISM
NATIONS, NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM
TOPICS IN POLITICAL THEORY
Required Senior Level Courses
SENIOR CAPSTONE5
PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT2
Total Credits72

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(GER)

  • Minimum Quarter Credits—180 cumulative credit hours
    • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at 51福利社, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at 51福利社
  • Minimum Semester Credits—120 cumulative credit hours
    • 40 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 30 credits in residence (attendance) at 51福利社, with at least 10 upper-division credits in major in residence at 51福利社
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

University Competencies and Proficiencies


 

 

(BACR)

 
 

 (UGR)




 
 (for Bachelor of Arts)

Application for Graduation (use ) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term expected to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the to determine .

  1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Core Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
  2. The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.

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Students who earn a BA in Political Science from 51福利社 should be able to:

  • analyze the values that underlie different forms of governments;
  • appraise political issues;
  • communicate about politics clearly and professionally;
  • critique foundational issues embedded in political questions;
  • explain how socioeconomic diversity plays a role in political affairs.

Applied Learning Opportunities

  • Classroom-based applied learning/simulation: Practice real-world decision-making through simulations, case studies, role playing, and other hands-on activities in the classroom.
  • Internships: Get real-world experience (and often credit or pay) by working in a professional setting connected to your career goals.
  • Student employment & leadership at 51福利社: Gain skills, connections, and confidence through on-campus jobs and leadership roles in student government, departments, athletics, or clubs.
  • Study abroad: Travel, learn, and experience new cultures while earning credit and building communication skills that help you thrive anywhere.
  • Undergraduate research: Collaborate with professors on real-world research projects where you ask questions, solve problems, and present what you discover.

Sample Courses

POLI听313. ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THOUGHT. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: POLI 202.
Engages thinkers and themes from the political theory of ancient Greece. Authors read include the Presocratics, Plato, Aristotle, and Seneca, among others. Questions concerning the nature and purpose of politics, the ideal political order, the definition of justice and virtue, and classical conceptions of knowledge, among others, will be pursued in detail. Consideration of the relationship between ancient views and contemporary attitudes.

POLI听302. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. 5 Credits.

An examination of the philosophic and legal bases for the protection of the rights of the criminally accused, with emphasis on Supreme Court decisions on the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments and on the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.

POLI听370. MOCK TRIAL I. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of instructor.
Exposes courtroom procedures in civil or criminal cases, studying a trial as one form of dispute resolution. Working in teams, students receive a fictional legal case and prepare and argue both sides of that case by applying rules of evidence in a simulated courtroom. Students play the roles of attorneys and witnesses as they prepare and present their case to a panel of judges. Focus is on the basics of preparing and building a fictional legal case and introduces trial advocacy.

POLI听319. NATIONS, NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: POLI 100 and POLI 202.
A detailed inquiry into nations, nationalism, and patriotism, with specific emphasis on the United States. Authors read include Benedict Anderson, Anders Stephanson, and David Campbell among others. Topics explored include the conceptual predicates upon which nations depend, the idea of citizenship, violence and warfare, national identity, manifest destiny, and more.

Career Possibilities

  • Political Campaign Manager
  • Political Consultant
  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Lobbyist
  • Legislative Assistant
  • Public Policy Analyst
  • Lawyer (with a law degree)
  • Paralegal or Legal Assistant
  • Public Defender (with a law degree)
  • Corporate Counsel
  • Judge or Magistrate (with a law degree)
  • Legal Researcher
  • Legal Compliance Officer
  • Civil Rights Advocate
  • Foreign Service Officer
  • Policy Advisor
  • Global Affairs Consultant
  • Human Rights Advocate
  • Political Risk Analyst
  • Policy Analyst听
  • Nonprofit Program Manager
  • Government Relations Specialist
  • Campaign Strategist
  • Lobbyist听
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • City Planner
  • Urban Development Specialist
  • Government Program Director
  • Public Relations Director
  • Policy Advisor
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Specialist
  • Strategic Consultant
  • Corporate Lobbyist
  • Government Affairs Consultant
  • Political Reporter or Analyst听
  • Analyst
  • News Editor听
  • Social Media Manager听
  • Investigative Journalist
  • Political Commentator or Blogger
  • Political Speechwriter
  • Political Science Professor
  • High School Government Teacher
  • University Lecturer
  • Research Fellow
  • Curriculum Designer
  • Human Rights Advocate
  • Nonprofit Executive Director
  • Social Justice Program Coordinator
  • Community Outreach Director
  • Environmental Policy Advocate
  • International Aid Worker
  • Public Health Advocate
  • Nonprofit Lobbyist
  • Campaign Consultant
  • Election Analyst
  • Grassroots Organizing Director
  • Digital Campaign Strategist
  • Fundraising Manager听
  • Political Data Analyst
  • Polling Consultant
  • Voter Engagement Specialist
  • Cybersecurity Policy Analyst
  • Tech Policy Consultant
  • Election Technology Specialist
  • Data Analyst
  • Political Data Scientist
  • Social Media Strategist

A Political Science major provides a comprehensive understanding of political systems, governance, international relations, and political theory.

Through our hands-on program, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking, research, and analytical skills. Whether you’re examining campaign strategies or debating the effects of new laws, you’ll learn to think strategically and communicate effectively. These skills are highly valued across many industries.

Graduates often pursue careers in government, law, business, advocacy, and the nonprofit sector. Many become policy analysts, political consultants, public administrators, or advocates. Wherever you land, you’ll be ready to make an impact.

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