Political Science Major

Want to create and enact change on a local, national, or global level? This is where it all starts.

At a glance

The transformative effects of political action are seen virtually everywhere, which is why this major includes coursework in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public policy and administration. During your time in the major, you’ll be strongly encouraged to complete internships and to study abroad, and required to add a second major or minor in another field to complement their political science training with additional skills and knowledge.  

Degree typeBachelor of Arts
FormatOn campus and online
Part ofCollege of Liberal Arts
Competitive major?No
Accelerated option?Yes
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Concentrations

A concentration allows you to specialize in a certain area within your major, offering a depth of information and hands-on experiences that you may not otherwise get. Many students in this major will concentrate in one area to work in a specific field after college, as well as find mentors and internships before they even graduate.

Environmental Politics and Policy

This concentration is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills to analyze the connections between politics and the natural world, and to help you pursue careers in environmental politics and policy making. 

Global Politics and Policy

Learn to analyze political relationships between countries and to pursue careers in international affairs. You will explore different systems of government, state-society relations, the ways that public and private actors interact through international institutions, the causes and responses to domestic and international conflict, and more. 

Law, Politics, and Government

This concentration is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to analyze the connections between public law, political science, and government, and pursue careers in government or the legal profession. Learn about campaigns and elections, public opinion and voting behavior, American political institutions, American constitutional law, and how political forces contribute to public law in the United States.

Political Science

This concentration provides a comprehensive understanding of government, politics, and public affairs. In this general concentration, you’ll get broad training across the five subfields of the discipline: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public policy and administration. 

Power, Justice, and Democracy

This concentration gives you the knowledge and skills to analyze the connections between power, authority, and democratic processes. It’s designed to help you pursue careers in the nonprofit sector, legal profession, and in political activism.

Public Policy and Service

This concentration gives you the knowledge and skills to analyze the connections between politics, public policy, public administration, and public service. It’s designed to help you pursue careers in the public and nonprofit sectors, both domestically and internationally.

Some Career Options

Learn about the political processes and the legal environment of all levels of American government, as well as the processes of policy making and the administrative apparatus used to implement public policy. You will also be exposed to a variety of substantive policy issues including urban policy, energy policy, and environmental policy in the United States. 

Tour and info session options

Tours may be available as part of Admissions tours and info sessions, offered throughout the year.

For additional opportunities, please reach out to:

College of Liberal Arts recruiter at [email protected] or (970) 821-5276 (Text friendly. Please include your/the student’s full name in the message.)

academic Info and Tips

Explore even more

Want a more in-depth look at this major? Take a look at the program website to learn more.