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Change Things for the Better
Bachelor of Science in Political Science
Political choices at the local, state and federal level have an impact on nearly everything we do. Do you want to ignore the issues, or engage fully so you can ensure that future generations live in a better world?
One person can make a difference, whether you choose a career in government, law, politics, international diplomacy, nonprofits or the media. In this degree program, AUM’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration can help you explore the various dimensions of politics and its impact on the United States and beyond. You’ll learn in small classes from respected faculty members committed to providing you with the personal attention you need to succeed. You’ll work on group projects, complete independent research, and have opportunities for real-world work experience through internships.
In courses on American politics, you’ll learn about the complex relationship among Congress, the presidency, and other political institutions. In international relations courses you’ll begin to understand the dynamics of world politics. In comparative politics courses, you’ll explore the factors that make democracy more or less likely, how the transition to democracy can create instabilities, and how differences in countries’ electoral systems can lead to government instability. In public administration courses you will learn about the factors affecting the development and implementation of policies, and the roles of elected and appointed officials, bureaucrats, nonprofit administrators, and citizens in these policy processes.
While some AUM political science graduates launch a career after graduating with a bachelor’s degree, others attend law school. That’s because the study of political science emphasizes analytical and critical thinking, careful reading, and persuasive writing–all skills highly valued in the legal profession. We are extremely proud of our record in preparing students for admission to American Bar Association accredited law schools.
To help you pay for school, scholarships are available on a department level and at the university level.
The Know How
What you will know with a Political Science degree from AUM
The courses in this program help you reason persuasively, providing you with the skills to collect and analyze data, and develop and support logical explanations
Surveys with employers tell us that writing, researching, presenting, and critical reading are important career skills for serious job candidates. You’ll start developing those and other skills as you launch a lifetime of learning.
This program will help you prepare for graduate studies—should you choose to pursue them—advance in your career and have the best shot at advancement or leadership roles.
Through internship opportunities, experiential learning, hands-on assignments, and professional networking opportunities, you will be a very competitive job candidate.
Points of Pride
Soaring Warhawks
Customize Your Concentration
Rewarding Occupations and Job Growth
Through classwork and internships, our graduates are well prepared to read, write, analyze, argue, prove, and respond. These skills are vital in many career paths.
Check out our Career Discovery Board on this page to begin exploring your options. Contact us by phone or email so we can get you the answers you need.
In addition to university-wide scholarships, you could be a candidate for the Margaret V. Moody Endowed Scholarship, the Steven C. Williams Endowed Student Award or other scholarships.
With a Political Science degree, you will be ready to undertake a variety of career choices. AUM’s Career Development Center helps you jumpstart your job search and use your network to expand your career options.
Students seeking to continue their education in Law school are given dedicated resources that provide class schedule advising focused on career choice, assistance with graduate school applications, and more.
Is a Degree in Political Science right for me?
With this bachelor’s degree as your educational foundation, you have many career possibilities.
Career/Job Title | Entry-level Education | Job Growth 2020-2030 | Annual Median Salary |
---|---|---|---|
Writer/Author | Bachelor’s degree | 9% (As fast as average) | $67,120 |
News Analyst, Reporter, and Journalist | Bachelor’s degree | 6% (As fast as average) | $49,300 |
Lawyer | Law school | 9% (As fast as average) | $126,930 |
High School Teacher | Bachelor’s degree (with specialized studies in education) | 8% (As fast as average) | $62,870 |
Political Scientist | Master’s degree | 9% (As fast as average) | $125,350 |
Note: Salaries vary depending on several factors including your level of experience, education, training, demographics, and industry. Here is a sampling of the future job growth and salaries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Quick Facts
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
At AUM’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, you will have powerful learning experiences, working side by side with professors who have real-world experience.
Our academic departments include Communication and Theatre, Criminal Justice, Economics, English and Philosophy, Fine Arts, History and World Cultures, Political Science and Public Administration, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, and Army ROTC. To help you pay for college, you might qualify for one of our scholarships.
Official Name of the Political Science Degree
Bachelor of Science in Political Science
Modality
This degree requires students to meet on campus. Students in these courses enroll in a program to connect in a campus setting and to collaborate using a variety of technological and educational tools. Professors play an inspirational role in building relationships among teams and individuals in this setting. The criteria for many programs can only be met with In-Class coursework. Be sure to check with your advisor to understand the best route to take.
Required Courses
To complete this degree concentration, you will need to complete courses in the university core, Political Science, and electives. Contact us for a current listing of courses required to complete this program.
The course listings below are only a few of the classes this concentration requires. For a full review of this program in detail, please see our official online catalog AND consult with an academic advisor.
Course # | Course Name | Course Description |
---|---|---|
POLS 1020 | Intro to American Politics | Introduces students to the key institutions and processes shaping the American political system, including the Constitution, the presidency, Congress, the judiciary, elections, parties, and the media. May be taught online. |
POLS 1200 | Intro to International Relations | Introduces students to a conceptual and analytical understanding of international relations. Focuses on the impact of sovereignty, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, international law, power, interdependence, globalization, and the prospect for cooperation and conflict. |
POLS 3010 | Research Design | Introduces students to strategies and methods of conducting research in the study of politics including topic selection, literature review, hypotheses testing, survey and archival research, and other components of political science research. |
POLS 3450 | Comparative Politics | An examination of the institutions, political processes, functions, and problems of major contemporary political systems from a comparative perspective. |
POLS 4952 | Senior Seminar | Students develop, research, write, and present an independent analysis of some political phenomenon. Topics and explanations are to be informed and guided by the relevant political science literature. Normally taken in spring of senior year. |