Political Science, BA
Curious about how politics shape society? Go beyond a basic understanding of the American political system, and develop the critical thinking and research skills you need to analyze complex issues. Cultivating your knowledge of the field and honing your ability to evaluate evidence prepare you for a variety of opportunities.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
or any math course that meets the MATH designation
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Political Science degree description
Political science is the study of governmental practices, politics and theories. Coursework in the Bachelor of Arts program in political science covers American institutions, international relations, political theory and world affairs.
The program helps you gain a basic understanding of the assumptions underlying political science, conduct meaningful research and formulate arguments. You learn through internships, service-learning and research opportunities, in addition to coursework.
The BA program requires a qualitative methods course, and the Bachelor of Science program requires a quantitative methods course.
Why study political science at ASU?
At ASU, the political science bachelor's degree pairs the resources of a top research university with hands-on learning you gain through internships, service-learning and real research experiences.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| POS 110 American Government and Politics |
| SBS 302 Qualitative Methods |
| SBS 304 Social Statistics I |
| POS 484 Internship |
| ASB 339 Grassroots Social Movements |
| ASB 340 Migration and Culture |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Studying abroad enables students in the political science program to experience firsthand the diverse political and social powers that affect communities around the globe and to gain a global perspective on political theory and world affairs.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Students in these programs build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships around the world, increasing their professional network. Participation in a study abroad program provides students with the heightened cultural competency and strengthened leadership and critical thinking skills that enhance their resumes and help them stand out in a competitive career field. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences can explore how their varied fields and interests interact in different settings around the world.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Programs Specialist | 1.6% | $54,210 | Learn more |
| Judge | 2.8% | $153,990 | Learn more |
| Law Clerk | 2.8% | $64,920 | Learn more |
| Lawyer | 4.7% | $159,670 | Learn more |
| Legal Court Hearing Officer | 0.0% | $117,860 | Learn more |
| Mediator | 4.7% | $75,530 | Learn more |
| Political Analyst | -2.0% | $142,080 | Learn more |
| Politician | Not available | Not available | Learn more |
| Urban Planner | 3.9% | $89,320 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this political science degree prepares you for
Graduates of the program have a strong foundation to pursue staff, manager or policy analyst positions in local, state and federal government. This degree is recognized as a qualification for many careers in business (for-profit and nonprofit) and industry. Opportunities may include binational, cross-border positions linking U.S. and Mexican businesses, Arizona-Sonora local government, or local community groups on both sides of the border.
Many students use the degree as a gateway to law school or other professional schools or as a basis for further study in such fields as:
- community development
- political science
- public administration
- public policy
- social sciences
- urban affairs and urban and regional planning
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
|
FAB N101
SBSadvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
