Program Overview
Political Science
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Political Science
Majors
- Political Science BA - Advanced Concentration
- Political Science BA - American Politics and Public Affairs Concentration
- Political Science BA - Comparative Politics Concentration
- Political Science BA - General Concentration
- Political Science BA - International Politics Concentration
- Political Science BA - Public Law Concentration
Combined
- Political Science BA/MA
- Political Science BA/Law JD
Minor
- Political Science Minor
Program Description
Politics and governments affect your life on a daily basis—from the environment and education to civil rights and wars. That’s why it’s so important to understand (and question!) the political structures all around us, regardless of your personal politics. This program is for students who like thinking about institutions, power, government, and law—including how (and why) they work the way they do.
What Will I Learn?
As a political science student, you’ll take a scientific approach to understanding institutions, policies, laws, and more. This is a very flexible major, with only a few required courses. While many students take a general approach, you can also choose to focus on methodology and statistics (perfect for a career in polling), or select a concentration in areas such as American politics, comparative politics, international politics, or public law, depending on your specific interests and career goals.
What Can I Do Outside of Class?
- Internships. Get real-world experience and build your network; UB students typically intern for a government office, elected official, or political organization in Washington, D.C., the New York State legislature, or Western New York.
- Study abroad. Experience politics, culture, and life in a different country.
- Clubs and events. Make friends, meet speakers, and explore your interests; UB has hundreds of clubs, including groups for political science and global affairs students.
What Can I Do with a Political Science Degree?
At UB, our political science graduates have consulted for elected officials, led an economic development agency, worked for polling firms in Washington, D.C., and had successful careers at some of the largest companies in the world.
With this degree, you can work for a variety of organizations, including private companies, government agencies, nonprofit groups, schools, and universities. Your career options may include:
- Campaign manager.
- City manager.
- Community relations specialist.
- Diplomat.
- Editor.
- Foreign service officer.
- Journalist.
- Importer/exporter.
- Labor relations specialist.
- Legislative consultant.
- Librarian.
- Lobbyist.
- Military officer.
- Paralegal.
- Police officer.
- Politician.
- Polling/marketing researcher.
- Public relations director.
- Teacher.
- Writer.
Many students also go on to law school or to graduate school for an advanced degree in public policy, business, political science, or a related field.
Who Will I Learn From?
At UB, you’ll find award-winning researchers and experts in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and public law, among other areas. Our political science professors have published their research and insight in numerous books and leading journals, including "American Political Science Review," "British Journal of Political Science," "Journal of Conflict Resolution," and "International Studies Quarterly." In addition, they have served on editorial boards and in leadership positions in professional organizations.
But perhaps most importantly for our students, these faculty members are committed to inspiring the next generation of political scientists. In fact, many of our professors have been recognized for their teaching, including the student-nominated Milton Plesur Excellence in Teaching Award, among others.
Program Outline
Program at University at Buffalo
Degree Overview:
- Understand and question political structures in your daily life.
- Approach the study of politics, institutions, policies, and laws from a scientific perspective.
- Flexible major with only a few required courses.
- Choose a focus area through concentrations or a broader approach in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Outline:
- Required Courses: A few required courses covering the fundamentals of political science.
- Concentrations: Choose from:
- American Politics and Public Affairs
- Comparative Politics
- International Politics
- Public Law
- General (no concentration)
- Methodology and Statistics: Focus on methodologies and statistics for careers in polling and research.
- Course Schedule: Not provided in the context.
- Individual Modules: Not provided in the context.
Assessment:
- Methods: Not provided in the context.
- Criteria: Not provided in the context.
Teaching:
- Teaching Methods: Not provided in the context.
- Faculty: Award-winning researchers and experts in various areas of political science.
- Unique Approaches: Committed to inspiring the next generation of political scientists.
Careers:
- Potential Career Paths: Campaign manager, city manager, community relations specialist, diplomat, editor, foreign service officer, journalist, importer/exporter, labor relations specialist, legislative consultant, librarian, lobbyist, military officer, paralegal, police officer, politician, polling/marketing researcher, public relations director, teacher, writer.
- Opportunities: Work for private companies, government agencies, non-profit groups, schools, and universities.
- Outcomes: Graduates have consulted for elected officials, led economic development agencies, worked for polling firms in Washington, D.C., and had successful careers at large companies.
- Further Education: Many students pursue law school or graduate school in public policy, business, political science, or related fields.
Other:
- Internships: Opportunities to intern for government offices, elected officials, and political organizations in Washington, D.C., the New York State legislature, and Western New York.
- Study Abroad: Experience politics, culture, and life in a different country.
- Student Clubs: Get involved in various clubs related to political science and global affairs.
Disclaimer:
- The information provided here is based on the context available as of November 2023.
- There might be updates or changes to the program not reflected in this summary.
- It is recommended to visit the official program website for the most up-to-date information.
Entry Requirements:
For all applicants:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Completion of four years of English and mathematics (including algebra I and geometry)
- Two years of a foreign language
- One year of social studies or history
- One year of laboratory science
For international students:
- TOEFL score of 80 or higher or IELTS score of 6.5 or higher
- Completion of the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma
- Evidence of financial support
Additional requirements for specific concentrations:
- American Politics and Public Affairs Concentration: Completion of U.S. History and Government
- Comparative Politics Concentration: Completion of World History
- International Politics Concentration: Completion of at least one year of a foreign language and one year of economics
- Public Law Concentration: Completion of one year of U.S. History and Government and one year of economics
Language Proficiency Requirements:
For non-native English speakers:
- TOEFL score of 80 or higher or IELTS score of 6.5 or higher
Please note:
- These are the general entry requirements and may be subject to change.
- It is recommended that you check the university website for the most up-to-date information.
- The university may also consider other factors when making admissions decisions, such as the applicant's essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
