Political Science, BA
Program Description
The BA program in political science offers a variety of courses and opportunities to study politics and policies at the local, national and global levels. The program aims to provide students with the tools and skills they need to link theory with real-world problems and issues.
Students study how citizens interact with their governments and how governments at all levels formulate policies to serve or not serve their citizens. Students can learn about politics and explore innovative approaches to today's emerging challenges, such as those seen in U.S. elections and lobbying and the international issues of terrorism, diplomacy and empowerment.
With coursework in several areas of political science and broad exposure to ASU's liberal arts offerings, the Bachelor of Arts degree in political science produces well-rounded learners with strong research and writing skills.
In addition to the guidelines in the Concurrent Program Options section below, students interested in pursuing concurrent or second baccalaureate degrees in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are advised to visit the college's website for more information and requirements.
Required Courses (Major Map)
What if: See how your courses can be applied to another major and find out how to change your major.
At a Glance: program details
- Location: Tempe campus, or online
- Additional Program Fee: Yes
- Second Language Requirement: Yes
- First Required Math Course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics
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Math Intensity:
General
Admission Requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
Freshman Transfer International Readmission
Transfer Options
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use the Transfer Map search to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and help students save time and money in their college journey. Students may learn more about these programs by visiting the admission site: https://admission.asu.edu/transfer/pathway-programs.
Change of Major Requirements
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should refer to https://changingmajors.asu.edu for information about how to change a major to this program.
Flexible Degree Options
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:
Global Security, MA
Learn from a world-class faculty of global thought leaders, seasoned practitioners and scholars from security-related fields. You'll have firsthand experience paired with the academic rigor of challenging, interesting and relevant coursework.
Website | Locations: ONLNE
Global Security (Cybersecurity), MA
Learn from a world-class faculty from across a range of security-related fields who can offer you firsthand experience as well as the academic rigor of challenging, interesting and relevant coursework.
Website | Locations: ONLNE
Political Science, MA
Craft a program that meets your individual interests within subfields of the discipline. Enjoy a low student-to-faculty ratio as you receive a rigorous introduction to graduate study in political science.
Website | Locations: TEMPE
Political Psychology, MA
Learn to understand how people think about politics, develop political attitudes, process political information and make decisions about political matters.
Website | Locations: ONLNE
Public Administration, MPA
Turn your desire for public service into a rewarding career. This highly ranked MPA program (No. 4 Public Management and Leadership, No. 12 Public Affairs programs by U.S. News & World Report, 2022) prepares you to be a results-driven leader serving the public good.
Website | Locations: DTPHX,HAINA
Public Policy, MPP
Learn to understand complex public problems and develop and implement innovative policy solutions. Through coursework and real-world projects in this highly ranked program (No. 19 Public Policy Analysis by U.S. News & World Report, 2022), you can gain the analytic skills required for addressing society's most challenging problems.
Website | Locations: DTPHX
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.
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Scholarships
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Career Outlook
Graduates have skills useful for success in political or governmental careers, law school, graduate study, business or the nonprofit sector. Many program graduates have found positions in the following:
- foreign service organizations
- legislative staff organizations
- lobbying and advocacy groups
- local and national media organizations
- local, national and global nonprofit organizations
- multinational corporations
- national, state, and local government agencies
- political consulting
- research institutions
- the courts and judicial administration
In addition, some graduates have gone on to other top tier graduate and professional schools. These students have found a range of employment opportunities in the fields of:
- communication
- education
- foreign service
- journalism
- law
- political science
- public service
Example Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:
Business Analyst
- Growth: 9.7%
- Median Salary*: $95,290
Intelligence Officer
- Growth: 1.5%
- Median Salary*: $86,280
Law Clerk
- Growth: 2.3%
- Median Salary*: $57,490
Marketing Manager
- Growth: 6.6%
- Median Salary*: $140,040
News Reporter
- Growth: -3.3%
- Median Salary*: $55,960
Paralegal
- Growth: 4.2%
- Median Salary*: $59,200
Political Analyst
- Growth: 6.6%
- Median Salary*: $128,020
Politician
- Growth: 3.4%
- Median Salary*: $48,090
Public Relations Manager (PR Manager)
- Growth: 5.9%
- Median Salary*: $129,430
Regulatory Affairs Manager
- Growth: 3.3%
- Median Salary*: $128,620
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Global Opportunities
Global Experience
With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu
Attend Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly.