Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Loretto, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Open Doors with a Degree in Political Science from Saint Francis University
At its heart, political science is about how people work together, balancing the common good and their individual interests. Political science has much to say about how people work together in politics, the economy, and society—and there’s no better place to combine Franciscan ideals with the study of political science than Saint Francis University. Our flexible, hands-on curriculum allows you to pursue your specific career goals while also gaining real-world experience with research, internships, and more.
- Customize your path to pursue your particular interests and career goals
- Gain real-world experience with research and internship opportunities
- Get involved with SFU’s Center for the Study of Government and Law
The SFU Learning Experience
American politics. International affairs. Health care. Jobs. The environment. Civil rights.
If you are interested in such matters, Political Science is a major you should consider. Our multiple paths of study will help you discover and commit to your passion, whether that’s in law, world politics, communications, and more.
Impactful Internships
We are dedicated to providing our majors the transformational experiences they seek to "become that someone who makes a difference in the lives of others." One way of reaching this goal is through internships.
Unique internship features at SFU include:
- Gain experience and earn up to 15 credit hours through internships.
- Faculty Internship Coordinator & Adviser to help students find their path.
- SFU's Center for the Study of Government and Law offers students a chance to work on research projects and take on exciting internships.
- University affiliations with The Washington Center and The Washington Internship Institute in Washington, DC lead to internship placements. (Read about Sara's internship).
- Our Ann Eppard Memorial Scholarship and Congressional Internship program offers one scholarship per year for summer congressional internships.
Our students are students for four years; they are citizens for the rest of their lives. This is why our curriculum is designed to give you a solid foundation in government, public policy, ethics, and both American and world politics. Depending on your career goals, adding a concentration, minor, or a second major will focus on your learning experience and help you prepare for your chosen career. Our focus on hands-on learning experiences, both in the classroom and through internships in the field, will ensure that you stand out in the job market and in graduate school applications.
Our program introduces you to the fundamentals of political science, research, and theory. Our flexible curriculum also gives you the freedom to choose the path that fits your career goals with a variety of concentrations and minors, as well as the opportunity to add a second major.
- Pre-Law: Our multidisciplinary Pre-Law Specialization allows you to study case law, logic, writing, and public speaking while developing and refining your communication skills and critical reasoning abilities to lead you into a career in law or as a paralegal.
- International Studies: The International Studies concentration reflects the reality of globalization and will prepare you to take on complex global public policy issues, leading to a potential career in international trade or law, international security, or foreign policy.
- Public Administration/Government Service: This concentration focuses on developing your analytical and communication skills, and with a built-in internship, you’ll be well prepared for a career in government service, nonprofit organizations, or private sector management.
- Political Communications: Prepare for a media-related career in politics, government relations, or journalism by taking additional Communications courses that will help you develop your writing and public speaking skills and implement communications strategies using the latest technology.
- More Exciting Minors: There are several other fields of study that pair well with the Political Science program. Broaden your knowledge of American history with a multidisciplinary American Studies Degree, or add a minor in Women’s Studies or Social Responsibility to explore questions of justice, diversity, and community.
Year 1
Fall
- WRIT 102 Research Writing 3
- HIST 100-200 History Elective 100-200 level 3
- Science Elective* 3-4
- ECON 101, PSYC 101, or SOC 100-200 level** 3
- PLSC 102 or 103 American Gov or World Pol 3
- CORE 103 Fall Community Enrichment Series 0
Spring
- CORE 113 First-Year Seminar 3
- RLST 105 Franciscan Goals for Today 3
- MATH 101, 105+ Math Elective 101, 105 or higher 3
- PLSC 103 or 102 World Pol or American Gov 3
- Free Elective 3
- CORE 104 Spring Community Enrichment Series 0
Year 2
Fall
- LIT 104, 201, 202, 204, 207, or 270 3
- Language 102+ 3
- MATH, STAT, CPSC, ENGR or any Natural Science 3-4
- PLSC 211, 221, 223 or 321 3
- PLSC Elective Political Science Elective 3
Spring
- PHIL 205 Discovering Philosophy 3
- Fine Arts FNAR, ART, MUS, THTR (3 credits) 3
- Diversity Requirement (see List)**** 3
- PLSC 112, 301, 303, or 305 3
- PLSC 211, 221, 223 or 321 3
Year 3
Fall
- ECON, PLSC, PSYC, SOC*** 3
- PLSC 112, 301, 303, or 305 3
- PLSC Elective Political Science Elective 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- EXAM 301 Writing Competency Examination (or ENGL 199 with a grade of C or higher) 0
Spring
- PHIL/RLST 300+ Philosophy/Religious Studies Elective 3
- PLSC 313***** Ethics and Public Policy 3
- PLSC 312***** American Public Policy 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 3
Year 4
Fall
- PLSC 499 Seminar in Research Techniques 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 2
Spring
- CORE 407 or Major Specific Seminar 3
- PLSC 433***** Foundations Political Theory 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Free Elective****** 3
- Critical Thinking: Students will develop the ability to think critically about information (e.g., data or texts), theories, concepts, problems, issues, institutions and processes of American Politics and Government, World Politics and Political Theory before accepting or formulating a position or conclusion or proposing a solution to a problem.
- Citizenship: Students will develop a deeper and fuller understanding of political processes, acquiring a solid conceptual foundation that can be built upon in their lives as citizens.
- Research Methods: Students will be able to use and explain research methods used in the discipline of political science and evaluate conclusions derived from these methods. Students will develop skills that include the ability to identify, locate and access sources of information, the ability to critically evaluate information, the ability to organize information to present a sound central idea in a logical order, and the ability to use the work of others accurately and ethically.
- Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate the necessary oral and written skills (English and Public Speaking) to convey their knowledge to others about political science or other appropriate topics.
- Ethics: Students will demonstrate familiarity with theorists and ethical frameworks that can help them make hard decisions, evaluate the policy decisions that public officials make on their behalf, and recognize the implications of these choices; Knowledge of reliable frameworks of principles will help students evaluate ambiguous facts and define behavior as “right” or “good.”
Political Science helps to prepare students for careers in law; local, state, and national government service; interest groups and organizations; business; political campaigns; journalism; and teaching. With our various degree options, including a wide range of concentrations and minors, you will be prepared to go directly into the field or apply for law school and other graduate degree programs. Research experiences and internship opportunities will help you build career contacts and gain real-world experience that will further your career.
