Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government
This 4-year Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government teaches about political systems, public policies, and governance, preparing students for careers in public service, law, and international relations.
About
The Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government is a four-year undergraduate program in the United States designed for students interested in understanding politics, government operations, and public policy. It suits those who want to analyze political behavior, institutions, and global affairs. The degree prepares graduates for roles in public administration, political consulting, law, or international organizations.
- The program covers political theory and the functioning of government institutions.
- It is aimed at students who have completed high school and want to explore social sciences.
- Graduates can pursue careers as policy analysts, government advisors, or campaign managers.
- The degree also provides a foundation for advanced studies in law or public administration.
What you study
The curriculum spans four years, starting with foundational courses and advancing to specialized topics. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Early years focus on introduction to political science, comparative politics, and international relations.
- Later years include courses on public policy analysis, political economy, and research methods.
- Students engage in case studies and simulations to apply concepts.
- Many programs encourage participation in internships or fieldwork to gain real-world experience.
- Electives may cover topics like human rights or environmental politics.
How to get in
Admission to this Bachelor's program requires a high school diploma or equivalent. The process involves submitting academic records and sometimes standardized test scores.
- Applicants must have completed secondary education with satisfactory grades.
- Universities may require SAT or ACT scores as part of the application.
- Personal statements or essays explaining interest in political science are often requested.
- Some institutions look for involvement in extracurricular activities related to leadership or community service.
- Admission can be competitive depending on the university.
Day to day
A typical academic year involves attending lectures, participating in discussions, and completing assignments. Students balance theoretical learning with practical projects and internships.
- Students usually take several courses each semester, combining lectures and seminars.
- Group projects and presentations are common to develop communication skills.
- Many students seek internships in government offices, NGOs, or political campaigns during summer breaks.
- Some universities offer opportunities for study abroad or involvement in student government.
- The program generally does not include formal alternance or apprenticeship contracts.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates find opportunities in various sectors related to politics and public affairs. The degree opens doors to roles requiring understanding of political systems and policy-making.
- Jobs include policy advisor, public affairs specialist, and political analyst.
- Graduates can work in government agencies, nonprofits, or international organizations.
- The degree is also useful for careers in journalism focused on politics.
- Employment often depends on networking and internships during studies.
- Insertion into the workforce is generally facilitated by practical experience gained during the program.
Careers after further study
These careers require a higher level of study than this degree.
Continuing your studies
After completing the Bachelor's degree, students can continue their studies in various fields to specialize further or shift focus.
- Common paths include master's degrees in political science, public administration, or international relations.
- Some graduates pursue law school to become lawyers or legal advisors.
- Others may choose graduate programs in public policy or diplomacy.
- There are options for reorienting towards related social sciences or business studies.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls
- University of Virginia's College at WiseWise
- Webber International UniversityBabson Park
- Pfeiffer UniversityMisenheimer
- Trinity Christian CollegePalos Heights
- Regis CollegeWeston
- King UniversityBristol
- Wheeling Jesuit UniversityWheeling
- Bard CollegeAnnandale-On-Hudson
- William Woods UniversityFulton
- Alverno CollegeMilwaukee
- Carleton CollegeNorthfield
- Bentley UniversityWaltham
- Elizabeth City State UniversityElizabeth City
- Delta State UniversityCleveland
- Ecclesia CollegeSpringdale
- University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff
- American Jewish UniversityLos Angeles
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee
- University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- University of FloridaGainesville
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- University of California-DavisDavis
- George Washington UniversityWashington
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara
- University of Colorado BoulderBoulder
- Georgetown UniversityWashington
- Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- University of California, RiversideRiverside
- University of California-IrvineIrvine
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- American UniversityWashington
- University of HoustonHouston
- University of South FloridaTampa
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- University of AlabamaTuscaloosa
- Virginia TechBlacksburg
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia
- Georgia State UniversityAtlanta
- University of OregonEugene
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- William & MaryWilliamsburg
- California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge
- New York UniversityNew York
- Dartmouth CollegeHanover
- University of ArizonaTucson
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- University of Notre DameNotre Dame
- California State University, SacramentoSacramento
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia
- Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego
- Harvard UniversityCambridge
- Boston UniversityBoston
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond
- Boston CollegeBoston
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- Fordham UniversityBronx
- University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleKnoxville
- Howard UniversityWashington
- Loyola University ChicagoChicago
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- University of UtahSalt Lake City
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse
- Miami University-OxfordOxford
- Tulane UniversityNew Orleans
- University of IowaIowa City
- Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix
- University at AlbanyAlbany
- University of North TexasDenton
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- Hunter CollegeNew York
- University of KansasLawrence
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville
- College of the Holy CrossWorcester
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing
- Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos
- Texas Tech UniversityLubbock
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins
- Northeastern UniversityBoston
- California State University, FullertonFullerton
- John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York
- Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem
- Binghamton UniversityBinghamton
- Cornell UniversityIthaca
- Villanova UniversityVillanova
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook
- United States Naval AcademyAnnapolis
- Purdue University West LafayetteWest Lafayette
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia
- University of KentuckyLexington
- University of ChicagoChicago
- Duke UniversityDurham
- University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz
- James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg
- California State University Los AngelesLos Angeles
- University of ArkansasFayetteville
- University of MiamiCoral Gables
- Yale UniversityNew Haven
- Northwestern UniversityEvanston
- Clemson UniversityClemson
- University of DelawareNewark
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh
- University of California, MercedMerced
- University of OklahomaNorman
- DePaul UniversityChicago
- Baylor UniversityWaco
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone
- Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara
- Marquette UniversityMilwaukee
- University at BuffaloBuffalo
- California State Polytechnic UniversityPomona
- Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth
- University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville
- Western Washington UniversityBellingham
- Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw
- Wayne State UniversityDetroit
- University of MississippiOxford
- University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi
- Bucknell UniversityLewisburg
- Emory UniversityAtlanta
- College of CharlestonCharleston
- University of Rhode IslandKingston
- CUNY Queens CollegeQueens
- California Polytechnic State UniversitySan Luis Obispo
- Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles
- Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester
- University of North FloridaJacksonville
- University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas
- University of LouisvilleLouisville
- Auburn UniversityAuburn
- University of VermontBurlington
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago
- Baruch CollegeNew York
- West Virginia UniversityMorgantown
- Tufts UniversityMedford
- University of Nebraska–LincolnLincoln
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro
- University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaHonolulu
- Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick
- Trinity CollegeHartford
- Illinois State UniversityNormal
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- Portland State UniversityPortland
- Chapman UniversityOrange
- Colgate UniversityHamilton
- Elon UniversityElon
- Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg
- Iowa State UniversityAmes
- University of RochesterRochester
- University of CincinnatiCincinnati
- Washington State UniversityPullman
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- Stanford UniversityStanford
- University of San DiegoSan Diego
- Towson UniversityTowson
- Lafayette CollegeEaston
- Barnard CollegeNew York
- Washington and Lee UniversityLexington
- University of Nevada, RenoReno
- Providence CollegeProvidence
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore
- City College of New YorkNew York
- American Public University SystemCharles Town
- Davidson CollegeDavidson
- California State University, ChicoChico
- Colby CollegeWaterville
- Catholic University of AmericaWashington
- Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers
- California State University, San MarcosSan Marcos
- Northern Illinois UniversityDeKalb
- California State University, San BernardinoSan Bernardino
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville
Frequently asked questions
What are the main subjects studied in this degree?
Students study political theory, government structures, international relations, public policy, and research methods to understand how political systems operate.
Is prior knowledge of politics required to apply?
No prior knowledge is required, but interest in current events and social sciences helps. The program starts with foundational courses.
Can I work while studying this degree?
Many students take internships or part-time jobs related to politics, but the program itself does not include formal work-study or alternance contracts.
What kind of careers can I pursue after graduation?
Graduates can work in public administration, political consulting, international organizations, or media focusing on political issues.
Is this degree recognized internationally?
Yes, a Bachelor's degree from a US university is widely recognized and can be a foundation for further studies or work abroad.
How competitive is admission to this program?
Admission can be selective depending on the university, often based on academic records, test scores, and motivation.
Can I continue my studies after this Bachelor's degree?
Yes, many graduates pursue master's degrees in related fields or law school to specialize further.
Are there opportunities to study abroad during the program?
Some universities offer study abroad programs or exchanges to gain international experience in political science.



























