Bachelor of Arts in Political Science University of Central Missouri, USA

Study the policies and behavior that govern our society and culture in the University of Central Missouri’s Political Science BA program. Housed in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, along with the Political Science BS, this versatile liberal arts degree is both broad and focused, opening a wide variety of opportunities in grad school and jobs for Poli Sci majors.

As a Political Science major, you can specialize in one of four subfields:

• American Politics, Public Law and Theory: If you’re interested in a career in government, public service or law, this subfield of political science is a great option. Poli Sci majors will learn the fundamentals of the U.S. political system, Constitutional law, civil liberties and civil rights, as well as political institutions, political parties, political ideologies and public policy.
• International and Regional Politics: If you’re interested in a career in government and international affairs, this subfield allows you to dive deep into key political dynamics across the globe, including regions such as Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Poli Sci majors explore the complex politics between countries and international institutions while addressing global concerns, from climate change and globalization to human rights and security issues.

What you will study

Regardless of which area you specialize in, you will gain a broad, liberal arts education in writing, problem solving, critical thinking and more. The University of Central Missouri’s Political Science Bachelor of Arts program is designed to develop your analytical, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills while building your understanding of core concepts, theories and ideologies in political science. This combination strengthens your global view while preparing you to succeed in jobs for Poli Sci majors.

With a wide variety of electives to choose from, you can enhance your Political Science major coursework by exploring additional topics that you’re interested in. These are just a few of the many electives you could take:

• Campaigns, Elections, Political Parties and Interest Groups
• Democracy and Authoritarianism
• Globalization and International Organizations
• The Powers and Responsibilities of the President
• War, Political Violence and Terrorism

In your upper-level classes, you’ll enjoy robust discussions, hands-on activities and personalized attention in smaller groups of 15–20 Political Science majors. This can enhance your learning experience, bring forth your strengths and help you stand out.

UCM’s Political Science BA program courses are taught by award-winning, tenured faculty who are experts in their fields. Their teaching and research interest areas range from American law, legislative politics, voter behavior and security issues to globalization, international development, Middle Eastern politics and international relations. Beyond classroom instruction, they mentor and guide Poli Sci majors to help you choose your subfield, explore political science pre-law school opportunities, define your career path and more.