Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

On this page:

• Why Choose Political Science?
• Careers
• Real-World Experience
• Success Stories
• Academics and Curriculum
• Advising

Why Choose Political Science?

Students of political science study governments: how they evolve, why they exist, the forms and social functions they assume, why they change, and who controls them.

To understand governments, you will also study politics: how people behave in their relationship to government, what they do to influence government, and how government attempts to influence people's behavior and beliefs about what it does. You must also learn to appreciate how cultural, historical, and economic forces affect the evolution of governments and mass political behavior.

Political science is one of the largest programs in the College of Liberal Arts. After completing core courses, you choose your direction by selecting advanced courses in a variety of areas, including American politics, public law, political theory, international relations, and comparative politics.

Students graduating with the B.A. in political science will be able to:

• Apply analytical tools to analyze problems relevant to politics, geography, the public sector, or the nonprofit sector.
• Develop/enhance critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate local, national, or global political, legal, or social issues.
• Communicate effectively in writing.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the value of diversity and multicultural competence in today's global environment.

Careers

Political science majors go on to a wide variety of careers, including the law, campaign management and lobbying, in government agencies, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations, non-profits, and the private sector.

View the political science program profile for sample occupations, average salary, and employment projections. 

Helpful Websites

Real-World Experience

We encourage our students to gain experience and practical knowledge outside of the classroom by participating in internships. Internships for political science majors may be arranged with area state legislators, congressional district offices, Dayton-area metropolitan governments, and governmental and policy advocacy agencies and organizations in Washington, DC. These internships complement classroom work and give you a chance to apply knowledge and develop valuable interpersonal and career-related skills.

Learn more about our Internships and Volunteer Opportunities.

Success Stories

Peace offering Jacquelyn Weaver volunteered with the Peace Corps because she wanted to relate to people and help them without being motivated by money.

Legal laureate Military duty during Vietnam and a long law career highlight the journey of Wright State alumnus Garrett Gall '73.

More Success Stories

Academics and Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts program in political science focuses on three areas of instruction:

• American Government and Politics
  American government, including legislative, judicial, and executive institutions, state and city government, political parties, interest groups, public opinion, the media, and elections, etc. Internships are recommended.
   
• International Relations and Comparative Politics
  The international relations and comparative politics of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as American foreign policy, national security policy; terrorism, the politics of intelligence, diplomacy and conflict resolution, human rights, etc. Model UN and study abroad is recommended.
   
• Public Law and Political Theory
  Public law, including courses on the Supreme Court, constitutional law, policing and criminal justice, civil liberties, and environmental law and international law, law and society, etc. We offer political theory courses on the history of political thought, and political ideologies, as well as political psychology, politics and ethics, bioethics and law, sex and the law. Pre-law internships are recommended.

View political science major program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.

Political Science Major Checksheet (PDF)

Advising

You will have two advisors available to help you throughout your academic experience:

• an academic advisor within university academic advising (937-775-2601)
• a faculty advisor (378 Allyn, 937-775-2942, or SoSSIS@wright.edu)

When you have been accepted into the undergraduate program as a political science major or minor, you will receive a welcome letter informing you of your advisor and the contact information.

Whether you are a transfer student from another college or university, changing majors at Wright State, or adding a minor, you should meet your political science advisor as soon as possible to learn your degree requirements and to acquaint yourself with the broad range of educational opportunities available to political science students.

We stress the importance of practical, applied experiences for our students, enabling you to put your classroom knowledge to use and to develop leadership and interpersonal skills so important to fulfillment and success in your future. For example, the political science program sponsors state legislative internships, a National Model United Nations team and places student interns in area congressional district offices, at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, and in Dayton-area city government positions. Washington, D.C., internships also may be arranged. Model United Nations teams have won national championships in team and individual participant categories for nearly four decades.