BA in Political Science
Lawrence Township, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 61,215 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international applicants studying in country | international applicants studying out of country: 15 june 2025
** for living on campus | living at home: 43,515 USD per year
In this program, you'll learn to apply a wide variety of methodological skills and theoretical perspectives in order to develop a broad understanding of political institutions and processes, political cultures, and political actors. Learn more about the Department of Government, Politics and Law.
Program Overview
How did American politics become so polarized? How can we understand the global shift to the right in electoral politics? Why does democracy matter? What causes politics to turn violent, and what can be done about it? How can citizens effect change in their own communities and beyond?
These are just some of the big questions students will confront in political science courses at Rider University. Through these courses, students will examine politics and policy at every level: local, state, national, international, and global. They will acquire a variety of methodological skills and theoretical perspectives in order to develop a broad understanding of political institutions and processes, political cultures, and political actors. Students enjoy experiential learning in many of their courses, including Congressional simulations, mock trials, and creative problem solving in foreign policy.
Washington Semester Program
Rider’s Washington Semester Program gives students a unique opportunity to study and work in the nation’s capital. Students will gain valuable, hands-on experience in politics, government, law, policy, and more.
All politics is local.
The Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics is dedicated to public service and scholarly analysis of government, public policy, campaigns, and elections in New Jersey. The Institute is a dynamic and creative home where students can network, study, and gain practical experience in New Jersey politics. An integral component of the Institute's success is the active participation of Rider students, including research projects, internships, service learning, job placement, and overall career development.
Rider’s financial aid office works with families to ensure an undergraduate education is affordable at every income level. Scholarship and aid award offers are customized to fit your unique financial circumstances.
To get a full picture of the scholarships, grants, and other aid that you may be eligible to receive, apply to Rider and transmit your FAFSA using federal school code 002628. Merit-based scholarships and aid are automatically awarded when you apply, and once we receive your FAFSA, the Office of Financial Aid can help identify additional resources to fund your education.
Scholarships and Awards
The scholarships below are competitive and are typically awarded based on a comprehensive review of the student's academic record, including cumulative high school GPA, rigor of academic course selection, test scores, and auditions (if applicable), and other supporting credentials.
| Scholarships Awards | Award Range | Maximum value over 4 years |
|---|---|---|
| Merit-based scholarships | $14,000 - $27,000 annually | Variable based on financial aid offer. Students who meet the criteria and qualifications for a scholarship automatically receive the award upon admission to Rider. No additional scholarship application is required. |
To be considered for a merit-based academic scholarship, you must:
- Apply to Rider: Submit your completed application for admission, including official transcripts, standardized test scores (unless applying test-optional), essay, and one letter of recommendation by January 15. (Note: the final deadline is November 15th for all Musical Theatre and Acting applicants.)
- Rider offers Test-optional Admission, which means SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission and most scholarships at Rider. Test-optional applicants will be given full consideration for most merit-based scholarships.
- Are you a high achiever? Students with a 4.0 GPA and 1300+ SAT/28+ ACT score may be eligible to receive the maximum merit-based scholarship offer of $27,000. You must submit your SAT/ACTs to Rider in order to qualify for this award level.
- Complete an audition, if required (audition results are a factor in scholarship awards).
- Be regularly admissible to the University as a full-time student.
- Have a minimum cumulative academic 2.7 GPA (unweighted) on a 4.0 scale.
For New Jersey residents—the Rider Tuition Guarantee:
Rider guarantees free tuition for qualified in-state students! If you're a New Jersey resident with a GPA of 3.5 or above based on a 4.0 grading scale, an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less, and are receiving both full TAG and Pell grants, you may be eligible to attend Rider University tuition-free when you apply as an undergraduate student for the fall 2025 or spring 2026 start terms. Terms and conditions apply.
Visit our website to learn more about the scholarships and aid opportunities.
Students take courses in many subfields of political science:
- American politics
- comparative politics
- constitutional law
- international relations
- political theory
- public policy
Beyond the Political Science major, the department also offers minors in Health Care Policy, Homeland Security Policy, and Political Communication.
Major Requirements
Political Science Core
- U.S. Politics in Crisis
- Power, Politics, and Justice
- The Political System – Theories and Themes, or Methods of Political Analysis
Select one course from each of the following subfields:
Political Theory
- Modern Political Theory
- Capitalism and Inequality
- Modern Democracy and Its Critics
- Contemporary Political Theory: Freedom and Authority
- American Political Thought
- Justice in Comparative Context
- The Politics and Ethics of Emergencies
- Global Justice
American Politics
- NJ Government and Politics
- Homeland Security
- Race and Ethnicity in American Politics
- Political Campaigning
- Interest Groups and Lobbying
- Sex & Gender in U.S. Politics
- Political Parties and Electoral Behavior
- Congressional Politics
- American Presidency
- Congressional Power and National Security Policy
- Presidential Power and National Security Policy
- Power in American Politics
- Urban Politics
- Development and Structure of the US Intelligence Community
Law and Public Policy
- Policy Issues, Advocacy, and Budgeting
- Introduction to Public Policy
- Healthcare Regulation and Governance
- Politics of Law and Order
- U.S. Constitutional Law
- Civil Liberties in the U.S.
- Public Administration
- Contemporary Issues in American Public Policy
- Environmental Politics
- Courts, Judges, and Politics
Comparative Politics
- Comparative Political Systems
- European Politics
- Insurgency
- Conflict Resolution
- Terrorism, Revolutions, and Political Violence
- Politics of the Middle East
- African Politics
- Comparative Environmental Policy
- Geopolitics of Energy
- Human Rights in a Global Context
- Politics of the Developing World
- Global Immigration
International Relations
- Global Politics
- Nationalism in World Politics
- Sex & Gender in International Politics
- Borders and the State
- Global Issues
- Model United Nations
- International Law
- The Arab-Israeli Conflict
- U.S. Foreign Policy and Security Policy
- Critical Views of Global Security
- International Organizations
Five political science electives, four of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.
Capstone
- Seminar in Political Science, or The Co-operative Experience
Graduates of the Political Science major will be able to:
- Explain political institutions, processes, and behaviors, as well as their variation, in the US and around the world.
- Apply core concepts and theories in political science to analyze and engage with real-world political problems.
- Conceptualize research questions, adopt appropriate methodologies, and collect and interpret qualitative and/or quantitative data to answer these questions.
- Produce persuasive original arguments, based upon suitable evidence and in conversation with varying perspectives, in written work and/or oral communication.
Studying political science and the liberal arts will give students the skills in critical thinking, written and oral communication, and problem-solving that will serve them well in any career. More and more business leaders, including Rider alumni, report that they seek precisely these skills in potential employees. Graduates in political science pursue a wide range of careers and public service opportunities, as well as advanced study.
Common careers:
- Local and national politics and government
- International politics and IGOs (international governmental organizations)
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Peace Corps and Teach for America
- Graduate degrees from the Bush School at Texas A&M, the Paris Institute of Political Studies, Rutgers Law School, and more