Political Science
Learn How Government Works.
Grow your understanding of government and politics.
The Political Science degree program is designed for students who wish to enter a career in government or politics. It’s also for those pursuing other careers who want to understand how government and politics impact their professions and personal choices. This program is highly recommended for pre-law students.
The degree program prepares students to be active, responsive citizens and leaders. You will take courses that increase your understanding of government and politics and gain resources to understand and actively shape political phenomena. You’ll explore the major subfields of political science, including American politics, political theory, and international relations. You’ll also build research skills and complete an original research project that will help prepare you for graduate or law school.
Baccalaureate Programs (B.A.)
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
The bachelor’s degree requires 36 credit hours of specified political science courses, 15 hours of political science elective courses, and 6 hours of psychology, criminology, or history electives.
Minors
Political Science Minor
The requirements for a minor in political science consist of 18 credit hours of specified political science courses.
Pre-Law Minor
The requirements for a minor in pre-law consist of 18 credit hours, including courses in criminology, political science, communication, and math or philosophy, an elective-specified business, criminology, environmental science, or outdoor recreation management course, and a course chosen from among communications, English, or history courses.
Certificate
Geopolitical Analyst
The requirements for this certificate consist of 23 semester hours of political science and environmental science courses. This program prepares students to combine the science of geographic information with the technologies of geographic information systems (GIS), cartography, and remote sensing, and apply them to geopolitical research.
Courses
What We Offer
- American Government and Politics
- Comparative Politics
- Introduction to International Relations
- Political and Social Thought
- Philosophy of Human Rights
- Civil Liberties
- Political Action
- War and Peace in the 21st Century
- Congress and the Presidency
- Politics and Literature
- Social Science Advanced GIS
- Political Science Internship
- Faith and Public Policy Internship
- Independent Study
- Politics of Development
- American Political Thought
- Senior Seminar
Careers in Political Science
Political science prepares graduates for careers in a wide array of fields, including:
- Government service
- Law enforcement
- Military
- Paralegal field
- Education
- Advocacy
- Nonprofit work
- Journalism and media
- Private sector
- Public administration
- International affairs
- Issue advocacy
- Nonprofit work
- Journalism and media
- Private sector
- Public administration
- International affairs
Internship Opportunities
Davis & Elkins has a relationship with the Washington Center, which provides a variety of internships with federal agencies and non-governmental organizations. Our political science majors have participated in two excellent programs sponsored by the West Virginia Legislature:
- The Frasure-Singleton Internship allows students to work closely with a legislator for one week during the legislative session.
- The Judith Herndon Fellowship is a full-semester experience in which the student spends 60 days working with a legislator during the legislative session. The student will spend the remainder of the semester working with a state agency
Why Political Science at D&E
Small class sizes enable engaging faculty members to enhance your learning experience by challenging and inspiring you and providing individualized attention. Coursework covers current and relevant principles and topics to prepare you for success in graduate study and many different career fields. Internship and independent study opportunities provide real-world experience that amplifies classroom learning.