Political Science, B.A.

Political science is the systematic study of politics and government and is widely recognized as one of the core disciplines within the liberal arts curriculum. Student learning outcomes include the development of written and oral communication skills, critical thinking ability, knowledge of fundamental concepts across all subfields of political science, and research skills that can be applied to situations in the classroom and community. The political science major provides a substantive and analytic preparation that can lead to a variety of professions, giving the students access to a vast array of future careers. For instance, this discipline often serves those with an interest in entering politics and government. Political science majors become civic leaders, town managers, city planners, budget specialists, foreign service officers, CIA analysts, FBI agents, policy researchers, and hold a variety of management positions in local, state, national, and international organizations.

Beyond government, a political science degree leads naturally to graduate training, including law school. Similarly, teaching has been a traditional career for many political science students, who have combined their interest for domestic and international issues with a call to service in the community. Many journalists and broadcasters were political science majors. Business has also recognized the analytic and management skills obtained through training in political science. Other rapidly developing fields such as polling, communications, campaign management, consulting, private and public interest group activity, and data analysis also value a political science degree when making hiring decisions. A political science degree, therefore, opens many doors in different professional directions.

The Political Science faculty strongly urges its majors to take courses in economics, history, sociology, and business. Political science majors are especially encouraged to take advantage of the variety of internship opportunities as part of their undergraduate program to help them establish a professional presence in the working community. All political science students are encouraged to undertake at least one year of university-level foreign language study. Additional language study is recommended for those majors with an interest in comparative or international politics and for those considering graduate school.

All students are reminded that, in addition to their meeting departmental requirements for a major leading to a baccalaureate degree, they must also meet the requirements of the school or college involved, as well as the Core curriculum requirements.