Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Tampa, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* early action; applications completed before March 1 - regular decision; applications completed after March 1 are evaluated on a rolling basis
Key Summary
Scholarships
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Introduction
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science offers a diverse array of courses in American politics, international relations, comparative politics, law, public policy, and more. The degree program challenges students to understand local, national, and international problems, analyze cross-cultural issues, and anticipate emerging trends in politics and governance. Majors develop critical thinking and research skills to analyze and participate in politics both as scholars and as citizens.
Curriculum
Political science majors are required to take five core courses designed to introduce them to different theories and approaches to studying politics, as well as the ability to answer their own questions about politics and government through research. Students apply their knowledge and skills through their electives. Majors are required to take one 400-level research-intensive course.
Outside of the core requirements, students have the flexibility to design their own plan of study based on course availability. The following plans are just a few examples; majors should be creative in tailoring their courses to their interests and needs in consultation with their faculty advisor.
Example course plans; subject to availability
Law and Policy
- PSC 285 Environmental Politics and the Developing World
- PSC 307 Law and Society
- PSC 321 The Presidency and Executive Power
- PSC 375 Constitutional Law I (1): Institutional Powers
- PSC 376 Constitutional Law II (2): Civil Rights and Liberties
- PSC 401 Public Policy Analysis
- PSC 410 International Law
Institutions
- PSC 202 International Political Economy
- PSC 306 Politics of the Family
- PSC 309 State Politics
- PSC 340 The European Union
- PSC 342 Political Economy of Latin America
- PSC 405 Congress and Legislative Politics
Decisionmaking in Politics
- PSC 215 Introduction to Public Policy
- PSC 312 The Politics of Money
- PSC 326 Political Campaigns and Electoral Politics
- PSC 370 American Judicial Politics
- PSC 380 Political Psychology
- PSC 426 Public Opinion
Peace and Conflict
- PSC 280 Introduction to Peace Studies
- PSC 225 International Human Rights
- PSC 302 U.S. National Security Policy
- PSC 305 Nuclear Proliferation and Nonproliferation
- PSC 341 International Relations of East Asia
- PSC 345 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
- PSC 446 International Organization
Politics in a Changing World
- PSC 206 Contemporary Latin America
- PSC 318 Science, Technology and Public Policy
- PSC 343 The Politics of Development
- PSC 365 Politics of East Asia
- PSC 412 Comparative Judicial Politics
- PSC 444 The Political Economy of Africa
Career Opportunities
The political science degree prepares students for rigorous graduate coursework, top-rated law schools, and exciting careers in both public and private organizations.
Political science majors have begun careers upon graduation in organizations ranging from the Florida Public Interest Research Group, the Democratic Leadership Council, and the Heritage Foundation to the city of St. Petersburg and the Hillsborough County government.
Others have been accepted to excellent graduate programs such as those at the University of North Carolina, Colorado State University, Florida State University, and Columbia University, as well as law schools including Northwestern, Georgetown, the University of Florida, Wake Forest, Harvard, Cornell, Ohio State University, the University of Texas, Stanford and Notre Dame.