Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Thiel College
Key Information
Campus location
Greenville, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 34,964 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* additional fees apply for international students: Services Fee $1000 | Student Health Insurance $1600
Introduction
A Thiel College student studying political science will learn how government works both in public and behind the scenes! You’ll study American politics, comparative political systems, international affairs, public law, and public policy for an in-depth understanding of the principle frameworks for analyzing political power, processes, and institutions. Programs in the political science department focus on accomplishing this task within the context of a liberal arts education.
Thiel College offers many opportunities for political science students off campus as well. You'll have the opportunity to spend a semester studying in Washington D.C. or in Harrisburg, Pa. You could also travel to Drew University to take part in the United Nations Semester program, or the NEW Leadership Pennsylvania Summer Institute at the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics. Whether you hope to run for office or are looking for a career in law or education, a political science degree from Thiel College will take you far!
Major Features
- You'll learn to clearly state and comprehensively describe an issue/problem, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding.
- You will be able to develop a comprehensive analysis of an issue/problem that integrates information from multiple sources and questions them thoroughly.
- Thoroughly analyze your own and others' assumptions and carefully evaluate the relevance of contexts when presenting a position.
- Choose to participate in an accelerated J.D. program to earn your undergraduate and law degrees in six years through a partnership with Duquesne University School of Law.
Program Outcome
Political scientists study the authoritative allocation of values in society. Programs in the political science department focus on accomplishing this task within the context of a liberal arts education. Course offerings are arranged in five fields: American politics, comparative political systems, international affairs, public law, and public policy/public administration.
The Political Science Department’s educational goals are:
- To contribute to a liberal arts education through study in political science;
- To prepare students for successful graduate study in political science, law, international affairs, and related fields;
- To help prepare students for work in any field of work for which a liberal arts education is appropriate;
- To communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively in written and oral forms.
A chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honorary society, is sponsored by the department so that excellence in the study of political science can be recognized. Additionally, a pre-law society and other organizations and activities are supported according to student interests.
A student who graduates from Thiel College with a major in political science will:
- Be able to clearly state and comprehensively describe an issue/problem, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding;
- Be able to develop a comprehensive analysis of an issue/problem that integrates information from multiple sources and questions them thoroughly;
- Be able to thoroughly analyze his or her own and others’ assumptions and carefully evaluate the relevance of contexts when presenting a position;
- Be able to take into account the complexities of an issue while acknowledging the limits of a position;
- Be able to draw conclusions that are logical and reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives in priority order;
- Be able to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively in written and oral forms.
Curriculum
Major Requirements
The major in political sciences shall successfully complete:
A total of 46 CH, with 37 CH in political science coursework and 9 CH in other areas.
Students are required to take each of the following courses
- POSC 116 American Government in Politics
- POSC 146 Introduction to Comparative Politics
- POSC 156 Introduction to International Relations
- POSC 236 Public Policy
- POSC 300 Introduction to Legal Studies
- POSC 286 Political Analysis
- POSC 496 Senior Seminar
The additional 15 CH (of the 37 CH) will be taken from political science electives; 9 CH of which must come from three different subfields of the following five. The remaining 6 CH can be fulfilled with coursework from the list below, an internship, or an independent study within political science.
American Politics
- POSC 225 Gender and Politics
- POSC 297 Political Parties and Elections in the United States
- POSC 315 Political Psychology
- POSC 335 The American Presidency
Public Policy and Public Administration
- POSC 226 State and Local Politics
- POSC 336 Public Administration
- POSC 385 The Law of Families
- POSC 388 The Death Penalty
- POSC 456 American Foreign Policy
Public Law
- POSC 436 Constitutional Law
- POSC 437 First Amendment
- POSC 438 Criminal Due Process
- POSC 439 Criminal Law
- POSC 445 The Great American Trial
International Relations
- POSC 312 International Security
- POSC 405 Terrorism
- POSC 410 International Law and Organization
- POSC 466 International Relations: Selected Issues
Comparative Politics
- POSC 230 Globalization
- POSC 310 International Political Economy
- POSC 327 Politics of Developing Societies
- POSC 347 Politics of Industrial Societies
The major in political science shall also successfully complete 9 CH in the following:
- ENG 120 Introduction to Literature and
- Two additional courses selected from any of the following programs: economics, history, psychology, and sociology.
Recommended Study: Political science majors are strongly advised to complete at least one of the following courses by the end of the sophomore year:
- MATH 125 Quantitative Reasoning
- MATH 211 Elementary Statistics
Majors who intend to pursue graduate study in political science and related disciplines should consult with departmental faculty concerning preparation for graduate school.
Career Opportunities
A political science degree from Thiel can take you anywhere. Our alumni have pursued graduate school programs to earn their J.D. Others have gone on to work in education, law firms, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Defense, and more!
Here’s what you could do with your political science degree from Thiel:
- Lawyer – take your degree into politics, corporate, family, or personal injury law and earn a median salary of $115,820*.
- Lobbyist – turn your passion for education, the environment, the arts, or a host of other causes into a career lobbying Congress or State Legislatures and earn a median salary of $66,429**.
- Public Relations Specialist – promote just about anything from new products to important causes and earn a median salary of $56,770*.
- Journalist – report the news as a reporter or correspondent on a local, national or international basis and earn an average income between $21,390 - $81,58*.
- Educator – teach anywhere from elementary schools to college campuses and earn median salaries that range between $53,890 to $73,370*.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics
**Payscale.com
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarship Opportunities
Thiel College offers scholarships to students for reasons such as academic success, community service or involvement, exemplary leadership, and more! The scholarships available to political science majors are:
- Dr. H. Reginald Belden Pre-Law Student Scholarship
- William Randolph Hearst Scholarship Endowment Fund
- Dr. Roy H. Johnson Memorial Award
- The Dr. Roy H. Johnson Political Science Awards Fund
- Luther Malmberg Scholarship Fund
- Gilbert & Dorothy J. Taylor Scholarship
- John S. Yocca Memorial Scholarship for Political Science