If you’re planning your career path and you’re intrigued by the concepts of justice, civil rights, politics and government, consider majoring in political science.
Earning a bachelor’s in political science is a great way to gain in-depth knowledge of comparative politics, international relations, political theory and American politics. This degree can qualify you for many entry-level jobs or act as a stepping stone toward a master’s in political science, law or a related field.
In this article, we examine bachelor’s degrees in political science, including typical admission requirements, courses and concentrations. We also list potential careers for graduates with this degree.
What Is a Bachelor’s in Political Science?
A bachelor’s in political science focuses on how governments and citizens interact with each other, including how policies impact individuals and communities. This degree covers public policy, constitutional law, foreign policy, state and local governments, political theory and campaign politics. A bachelor’s in political science prepares you for a career in politics, government, the nonprofit sector or business, among other fields.
A political science bachelor’s typically requires 120 credits, takes three to four years to earn and typically requires a thesis or capstone project.
Admission Requirements for a Bachelor’s in Political Science
Admission requirements for bachelor’s degrees in political science vary by institution but often include the following:
- Application
- High school diploma or the equivalent
- Transcript from high school and previous coursework demonstrating a minimum GPA
- SAT or ACT scores
Concentrations for Political Science Majors
As a political science major, you may need to choose a concentration or an area or specialization for your degree. A concentration narrows your studies to focus on a particular area of interest. Concentration options vary by school, but below are a few typical offerings.
International Affairs and Global Politics
If you want to take a deep dive into international and global issues, this concentration is a good choice for you. It covers subjects such as the United Nations, American foreign policy, international law, European politics, world politics, weapons of mass destruction, 20th-century dictatorships and cybersecurity.
Analytics, Institutions and Public Policy
This concentration provides an overview of American state and local governments, the presidency, the politics of national security, lobbies and interest groups, American foreign policy, the media and politics, electoral politics and U.S. political participation.
Law and Politics
With this concentration, you can expect to learn about how politics and the law intersect and impact each other. Topics covered in this concentration include the judicial process, civil rights and liberties, legal reasoning, the political party system, American legislatures, southwestern border politics and American political thought.
Public Administration and Service
This concentration focuses on public administration and public service, preparing learners for relevant roles. Topics include an introduction to public administration, the public policy process, state and local administration, nonprofit organizations, urban planning, civil rights and liberties, and public opinion and technology.
Common Courses in a Bachelor’s in Political Science
Below we have listed several common courses for political science bachelor’s programs. Each program sets its own curriculum, however, so yours may not offer all of these courses.
Federal Government
This federal government course provides an overview of the U.S. Constitution, political systems and government. Learners study civil rights, civil liberties, elections and political campaigns, policy-making issues and the role of the media.
Introduction to World Politics
Understanding world politics is essential to building a career in political science. This course focuses on the concepts of war and peace, foreign policy and diplomacy, international institutions, globalization and interdependence, democracy and dictatorship, and the creation of governments around the world.
Introduction to Constitutional Law
In this course, you can expect to study the distribution of power in our national government and learn more about the government’s creation and history. The curriculum also covers U.S. Supreme Court decisions and how they reflect the parameters of the Constitution.
Ethics and Public Life
In this course, students explore case studies of ethical dilemmas for political figures. An ethics and public life course covers bureaucratic accountability, regime values, administrative discretion, social construction and other topics essential to understanding ethical decision-making in public roles.
Bachelor’s in Political Science vs. Bachelor’s in International Studies: What’s the Difference?
While both majors cover political issues that affect our society, there are key differences between political science and international studies bachelor’s degrees. Political science focuses on gathering and analyzing data to understand political trends, patterns and theories. International studies examines the global impact of foreign affairs and political issues.
A degree in political science prepares you for a career in business, law, politics or a domestic role, such as working on political campaigns or conducting research. With a bachelor’s in international studies, you might pursue a career in cross-cultural research or international business, among other sectors.
If you want to focus your career on national issues that are essential to our political framework, a political science degree might suit you. On the other hand, an international studies degree equips you for a career geared toward international issues.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s in Political Science?
Earning a bachelor’s in political science prepares you for various careers in law, policy analysis, business analysis, international relations, the nonprofit sector and political campaigns. Below we look into a few popular careers for political science graduates.
We sourced salary data for these political science degree careers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale.
Political Scientist
Median Annual Salary: $128,020
Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree; bachelor’s degree sometimes accepted for entry-level positions
Job Overview: Political scientists study and analyze political systems, governments, political trends and policies, and foreign relations. They collect data from public opinion surveys, develop political theories, create political and economic forecasts, monitor political policy decisions and current events, and examine how policies affect businesses, citizens and the government.
Survey Researchers
Median Annual Salary: $60,410
Minimum Required Education: Master’s degree; bachelor’s degree sometimes accepted for entry-level positions
Job Overview: Survey researchers plan and develop public opinion surveys. Their responsibilities include performing background research and testing survey questions. They also oversee interviewers and survey data collectors, analyze data gathered from these surveys and evaluate surveys’ effectiveness.
Public Relations Specialist
Median Annual Salary: $67,440
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s in public relations, political science or a related field
Job Overview: Public relations specialists manage public perceptions of businesses, public figures, government agencies and other organizations. They ensure a positive public image by addressing media inquiries, writing press releases, communicating with the media and the public, evaluating advertising programs, and performing other tasks to promote and protect their client’s public image.
Legislative Assistant
Average Annual Salary: Around $43,600
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Job Overview: Legislative assistants support elected officials working in local, tribal, state and federal governments as they develop and enact statutes and laws. These professionals perform administrative duties, serve as liaisons for community organizations, write reports and analyze drafts to ensure adherence to legislative standards.
Paralegal
Median Annual Salary: $59,200
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field; associate degree or certificate in paralegal studies sometimes sufficient
Job Overview: Paralegals support lawyers by helping them prepare for meetings, hearings and trials. Their duties typically include gathering information, researching laws and regulations, organizing documents, summarizing reports, gathering affidavits and statements, filing exhibits and legal documents, and scheduling interviews and depositions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bachelor's in Political Science
Is a degree in political science a BA or BS?
Your political science degree can be a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS), depending on the program’s curriculum. A BA covers varied political science subjects, such as diplomatic relations, policy review and international issues. A BS focuses more on scientific topics, such as statistics, data-driven policy and mathematical literacy in political contexts.
What do political science majors do?
Political science majors have many career options in government offices, businesses and other organizations. Common career paths for political science graduates include paralegal, legislative assistant, public relations specialist, survey researcher and political scientist.
