Political Science (BA)

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at Indiana State?

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Indiana State equips you to understand, navigate, and contribute meaningfully to complex societal and global issues. It can open the door to exciting and successful career paths in law, public service, and advocacy.

Prepare for Law School   

The study of political science provides excellent preparation for law school. It delivers a strong foundation in legal concepts and systems of law and justice, hones the ability to analyze policies, and helps develop critical thinking and communication skills.  

Immersive Political Experiences 

As a Political Science major at Indiana State, you may enjoy a field-study experience in Washington, D.C. or Indianapolis; take a study-abroad trip to experience an international political system up close; attend campus events featuring notable political and government speakers; and apply for local, state, or national internship placements with government agencies, political offices, or advocacy organizations. Some of these internship opportunities may be eligible for support funds from the University.    

You may also become involved with community service projects, which can include organized volunteer efforts at local community centers, as well as community engagement opportunities that are integrated into the program curriculum.  

The American Democracy Project 

Indiana State is home to a variety of politically active and socially conscious student groups, clubs, and programs. Additionally, the Political Science Department supports the American Democracy Project (ADP), a multi-campus initiative that seeks to engage students in democratic life.  

Indiana State’s ADP activities include voter registration drives, guest-speaker events, campus marches, presidential debate parties, State of the Union Tweet-Ups, local candidate forums, and many others. 

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty 

Our award-winning faculty in the Department of Political Science bring to the classroom decades of practical and research experience in government, politics, and public policy. Many have worked in politics or government, and all actively conduct research on today’s most relevant political trends and policy debates.   

Small- to medium-class sizes allow you to work closely with faculty, and there are opportunities to participate in faculty-directed research both during the academic year and in the summer. Research topics are diverse and include public policy, law, American politics, and international affairs. You may also participate in faculty-organized field studies throughout the year. 

As a measure of Indiana State’s academic success in political science, departmental students with this major consistently score high marks on the Education Testing Service’s (ETS) Political Science Major Field Test. Compared to public university peers, Indiana State’s political science students annually score around 5% points higher than those students elsewhere. This percentage increase is just as strong when compared to political science students tested at private universities as well.

What You’ll Learn in the Political Science Program 

The Political Science major at Indiana State cultivates critical thinking and communication skills while helping you build a breadth and depth of knowledge about American and world political systems, institutions, and processes. It requires a minimum of 42 credit hours of coursework and may be completed in four years of full-time study.   

Required coursework includes foundational classes in comparative politics, international relations, and political thought. You will also take core classes in American Politics and World Politics, with the option to select one of those concentration areas for further elective study.  

View Required Courses

All Political Science majors must complete a capstone seminar course. Additionally, the pursuit of minors in related areas of study, including Civic Leadership, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Lands & Recreation Administration, Communication, Criminology & Criminal Justice, Economics, Philosophy, History, and Business Administration, is strongly encouraged. 

Career Possibilities for Political Science Majors  

Political science graduates are well-trained academically and experientially for productive careers in state, local, and federal government; business; law; consulting; journalism; communication; international organizations; international business and government; polling; campaign management; public and community service, and non-governmental organizations.  

Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.