Program Overview

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Political Science, B.A.

Program Overview

Saint Louis University's political science major can prepare SLU students for advanced study in various areas: law, public administration, international relations, urban affairs, business and political science. Political scientists study power, politics and various political processes, systems and behaviors.

The discipline of political science covers many topics, from campaigns and elections in the United States to economic development and democratization worldwide to diplomacy and globalization. Political science majors learn to address big questions, such as what makes a government legitimate or what constitutes a good society. They also come to understand causes and mechanisms for addressing significant global challenges like terrorism, poverty, climate change and war.

Political science students at Saint Louis University pursue jobs in government, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, education, law, journalism, diplomacy, survey research and fields related to promoting social justice.

Program Highlights

• Undergraduates can take classes before earning their B.A. in political science and quickly finish an M.A. in political science as part of the accelerated M.A. program.
• SLU's political science program is distinctive in its commitment to preparing students to become engaged citizens locally and globally. Students grapple with some of the most important social justice problems of the time, from racism and poverty at home to war, persistent underdevelopment and oppression abroad.
• The SLU political science department is big enough to offer a wide range of classes and small enough that students get individual attention from faculty.

Curriculum Overview

Students can study the politics of most areas of the world and global security and economic development issues. They can augment their study of politics with work in various distinctive interdisciplinary programs, including programs devoted to area studies (Asia, Russia and East Europe), global and local social justice, foreign service, political journalism, African American studies, gender studies and more.

Students can choose among five options for their B.A.

General Major

The general major covers American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political thought and allows students the flexibility to choose classes that reflect their particular interests.

International Affairs Concentration

The international affairs concentration permits students to study economic development, international security and political change worldwide.

International Relations Concentration (SLU-Madrid)

The international relations concentration is an innovative and rigorous course of study designed to enhance knowledge and understanding of global affairs offered at Saint Louis University-Madrid.

Public Law Concentration

The public law concentration focuses on law and courts and the relationship of both to larger issues of justice, social change and democracy.

Public Policy Concentration

The public policy concentration examines the practical application of knowledge to governance and social problems.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Undergraduate students majoring in political science at SLU may take six credits of electives through internships offered in areas such as political campaigns, foreign service, state and federal government, and overseas fieldwork. These internships permit students to gain professional experience working with elected officials, organizations that serve immigrants or disadvantaged communities, law firms, nonprofit organizations or other groups working toward the public good. Students have interned in St. Louis, Washington, D.C., and many countries worldwide.

Students can participate in faculty research projects or complete an independent honors thesis examining a topic of their choice.

Careers

Graduates with an undergraduate degree in political science are prepared for jobs in government, international organizations, community and nonprofit organizations, education, law, NGOs, journalism, diplomacy, survey research and fields related to the promotion of social justice.

An undergraduate degree in political science also provides marketable skills in empirical data analysis and practical problem-solving. It is a traditional major for students interested in law school or planning a political career.

Admission Requirements

• All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
• To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.

Transfer

• Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED or HiSET.
• Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

International Applicants

• All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
  • Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
  • All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.

Tuition

• Undergraduate Tuition: $56,960
• Additional charges may apply.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
  • Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
  • Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to identify the structure and operation of political systems in the U.S., across a variety of countries, and in multinational organizations.
• Students will be able to distinguish among various approaches to studying political phenomena.
• Students will be able to read carefully and evaluate and construct analytical arguments in clear and logical prose.
• Students will be able to analyze how the outcomes of political systems are affected by the structure of institutions.
• Students will be able to design original research to test arguments and hypotheses with qualitative and/or quantitative approaches.

Major Requirements

• Political Science students must complete 34-37 credits for the major.
• Course List:
  • University Undergraduate Core: 32-35
  • Major Requirements:
    • POLS 1150: American Political Systems
    • Comparative Politics Requirement
    • International Relations Requirement
    • Political Thought Requirement
    • POLS 2000: Methods in Political Science
    • Political Science Electives: 12
    • Senior Seminar Requirement: 6

Concentrations

International Affairs Concentration

• Course List:
  • International Relations Requirement: 6
  • Comparative Politics Requirement: 6
  • Additionally, 3 of the 6 required major Senior Seminar hours must have the International Affairs Seminar attribute
  • Total Credits: 12

International Relations Concentration (SLU-Madrid)

• Course List:
  • Economics Requirement: ECON 1900 or POLS 2600
  • Communications Requirement: Select one of the following: CMM 2400, CMM 3060, CMM 4460
  • Political Science Elective Courses: 6
  • Total Credits: 12

Public Law Concentration

• Course List:
  • Public Law Electives: 12
  • Select 12 credits with the Public Law Elective attribute
  • Additionally, 3 of the 6 required major Senior Seminar hours must have the Public Law Seminar attribute
  • Total Credits: 12

Public Policy Concentration

• Course List:
  • Policy Elective Requirement: 12
  • Select twelve credits with the Policy Elective attribute
  • Additionally, 3 of the 6 required major Senior Seminar hours must have the Policy Seminar attribute
  • Total Credits: 12

Roadmaps

• General Major
• International Affairs Concentration
• Public Law Concentration
• Public Policy Concentration
• Political Science (SLU-Madrid)

SLU-Madrid

• SLU-Madrid's political science program fosters a theoretical and empirical understanding of key international dynamics, major crises and opportunities for change.
• It aims at giving students strong analytical skills and functional competencies specific to political science and international relations.
• Our goal is to strengthen our students' awareness of global events and to become actors for positive change.

Faculty

• The faculty at Saint Louis University-Madrid are experts in their respective fields.
• They are internationally recognized teachers, researchers and mentors.

Fieldwork, Internships and Careers

• A degree in international relations prepares you for careers in local, state and federal governments, diplomacy, international trade and business, non-governmental organizations, policy analysis, political research, law and education.
• To combine theoretical and practical learning, qualified political science students may choose to earn up to three credit hours toward their degree by doing an internship.
• These students learn to implement the skills they study while gaining valuable professional experience at institutions such as governmental organizations, embassies, think tanks, companies and non-profits.