Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Lacey, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 46,856 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The Political Science program at Saint Martin's University seeks to understand the basis of power in society, how that power is organized and exercised, and its impact on people’s lives. The department seeks to help its students engage in critical analysis of society and power structures.
Highlights
- Undertake rigorous coursework and seek to understand the significance of class, race, gender, property relations, and other identities in shaping political structures and political behavior.
- Faculty promotes social justice and encourages students to be active, thoughtful members of their community.
- Engage with active self-governance and an understanding of political structures and behaviors.
- Close proximity to the state capitol offers exciting opportunities for internships, such as the Washington State Legislature, Washington State Historical Society, and Simpson Timber Archive.
Core Requirements
Visit the undergraduate academic catalog on our website for a complete breakdown of core (general) requirements for bachelor's degrees.
Required Courses
*Note that 27 of these credit hours must be upper-division courses.
- Survey of American Government and Politics
- Global Issues
American Politics (choose one):
- The Politics of U.S. Public Policy
- American Foreign Policy
- State and Local Politics
- American Political Development
- Cold War
- U.S. Political Participation and Opinion
- Congress and the Presidency
Comparative and International Politics (choose one):
- International Relations
- Comparative Politics
- World Regional Geography
- Politics of Globalization
- History of the Vietnam War
- Global Environmental Politics
- Asia and the World
- Model United Nations
- Global Food Politics
- Global Poverty and Development
Power and Inequality (choose one):
- Gender and Global Politics
- American Exceptionalism
- U.S. Labor Politics
- American Political Thought
- Global Human Rights and Justice Movements
- Global Poverty and Development
- Judicial Process
- Law and Society
- Philosophy of Law
- Civil Liberties
History (choose 6 credit hours in History at the 300 level or above that align with any of the three PLS concentrations):
- American Politics: HIS 310, HIS 325, HIS 326, HIS 356, HIS 357, HIS 358, HIS 359, HIS 365
- Comparative and International Politics: HIS 344, HIS 347, HIS 410, HIS 411, HIS 413, HIS 415
- Power and Inequality: HIS 305, HIS 319, HIS 360, HIS 365, HIS 370, HIS 435
Final Project Requirements
- PLS 498: Research Methods
- PLS 499: Senior Seminar Paper
Additionally, 9 more credit hours at the 300 level or above from within any of the three PLS concentrations (American Politics; Comparative and International Politics; Power and Inequality) or the courses listed below:
- Special Topics
- Directed Study
- Legislative and Administrative Internship (no more than six semester hours of credit in internships will count toward the political science major)
No more than six hours of credit in internships may be applied toward requirements for a political science major.
- Students will understand the basis of power in society, how that power is organized and exercised, and its impact on people’s lives.
- Students will develop critical thinking, reading, and writing skills.
- Students will develop an informed and lasting interest in politics, including active participation in the political process.
- Students will develop the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in areas such as politics, law, public policymaking, journalism, the non-profit sector, foreign service, business, activism, teaching, research, and government.
- Federal, state and local government service
- Activism
- Education
- Law
- Foreign service
- Journalism
- Business
- Mediation
- Public affairs research analysis