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Political Science, BA

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  1. Degree Programs
  2. Undergraduate Degrees
  3. Political Science, BA

At a Glance: program details

  • Location:
    Tempe campus,
    or
    online
  • Additional Program Fee: Yes
  • Second Language Requirement: Yes
  • Math Intensity: General program math intensity general
  • Initial Math Course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics

Required Courses (Major Map)

Online Major Map

Major Map on-campus archive

eAdvisor Tracking Tool


Interested in politics and public issues in the United States and abroad? See yourself heading to law school, working on political campaigns or serving as a diplomat? Springboard your education in preparation for a wide variety of careers, both inside and outside government.

Program Description

The BA program in political science uncovers politics and policy 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 to produce well-rounded learners with strong research and writing skills.

Students study how citizens interact with their governments and how governments at all levels formulate policies to serve, or not serve, their citizens. They explore innovative approaches to today's emerging political challenges, such as those seen in elections and lobbying, and the international issues of terrorism, diplomacy and empowerment.

In addition to reviewing 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.




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:

Political Psychology

Political Psychology

Learn to understand how people think about politics, develop political attitudes, process political information and make decisions about political matters.

Website | Locations: ONLNE

International Affairs and Leadership

International Affairs and Leadership

Learn practical, character-driven leadership skills and gain a strong foundation in international affairs and U.S. foreign policy in this program taught by experienced professionals.

Website | Locations: ONLNE

Global Security

Global Security

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 (Irregular Warfare)

Global Security (Irregular Warfare)

Position yourself to excel with a degree designed for future leaders in this field. With access to the insights of globally-recognized thought leaders, combined with the flexibility of online delivery, this program is ideal for busy professionals whose career aspirations know no bounds.

Website | Locations: ONLNE

Political Science

Political Science

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

Public Policy

Public Policy

Learn to understand complex public problems and develop and implement innovative policy solutions. Through coursework and hands-on projects in this highly ranked program (No. 20 Public Policy Analysis by U.S. News & World Report, 2023), you can gain the analytic skills required for addressing society's most challenging problems.

Website | Locations: DTPHX

Global Security (Cybersecurity)

Global Security (Cybersecurity)

Learn from world-class faculty with expertise in a variety of security-related fields. You'll benefit from their firsthand experience as well as the academic rigor of challenging, interesting and relevant coursework.

Website | Locations: ONLNE

Public Administration

Public Administration

Turn your desire for public service into a rewarding career. This highly ranked MPA program (No. 5 Public Management and Leadership, No. 10 Public Affairs programs by U.S. News & World Report, 2023) prepares you to be a results-driven leader who serves the public good.

Website | Locations: DTPHX,HAINA,ONLNE


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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Career Outlook

Graduates have skills that enable them to be successful in political or governmental careers, law school, graduate study, business or the nonprofit sector. Many program graduates have found positions in:

  • the courts and judicial administration
  • 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

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:

  • 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:

Management Analysts

  • Growth: 9.7%
  • Median Salary*: 95290
  Bright Outlook

Intelligence Analysts

  • Growth: 1.5%
  • Median Salary*: 86280

Judicial Law Clerks

  • Growth: 2.3%
  • Median Salary*: 57490

Marketing Managers

  • Growth: 6.6%
  • Median Salary*: 140040
  Bright Outlook

News Analysts, Reporters and Journalists

  • Growth: -3.3%
  • Median Salary*: 55960

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

  • Growth: 4.2%
  • Median Salary*: 59200

Political Scientists

  • Growth: 6.6%
  • Median Salary*: 128020
  Bright Outlook

Legislators

  • Growth: 3.4%
  • Median Salary*: 48090

Public Relations Managers

  • Growth: 5.9%
  • Median Salary*: 129430
  Bright Outlook

Regulatory Affairs Managers

  • Growth: 3.3%
  • Median Salary*: 128620

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook | Green Occupation Green Occupation


Global Opportunities

Global Experience

Students can experience firsthand the diverse political and social powers governing communities around the globe. With over 300 Global Education programs available, study abroad allows students to tailor their experience to their unique interests and skill sets. Students majoring in political science can enhance their learning by gaining a global perspective on political theory and world affairs in countries with communist regimes or monarchies, for example.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recommends these study abroad programs for students majoring in political science.

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. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • spgs-ugadvising@asu.edu
  • 480/965-8563


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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