Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science degree program at Wayne State University is an excellent program for students eager to enter law school or a related career in education, law, government or foreign service.
Within this major, students can pursue a general political science education or choose a concentration that best fits their career interests, allowing for great flexibility in their choice of courses.
Why Wayne State’s political science major?
- Learn from faculty members with award-winning, published work in the field of political science.
- Choose one of seven political science concentrations that align with your career or graduate study goals.
- Participate in a for-credit study abroad program for one or two semesters at the University of Salford in Salford, England.
Earn B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Political Science, Master of Arts in Public Administration or Joint M.A./J.D. through the AGRADE program.
What is political science?
Political science is a social science that examines the nature and problems of government and the role of politics in modern society. The goal of political science is to solve public policy issues, promote civic literacy and cultivate awareness of the liberties and obligations of citizens across the U.S.
To advocate for and solve diverse issues, government agencies and organizations hire political scientists. These individuals work to examine government structures and complex processes on local, state, national and international levels.
Learning objectives
Students enrolled in the political science degree program learn to:
- Understand issues of the government and the role of politics in society.
- Clearly communicate information — with relevant citations — and defend arguments in written and verbal formats in a respectful manner.
- Develop the critical thinking, interpersonal communication and research skills necessary to enter a political science career or graduate study.
Political science program requirements and curriculum
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science program requires 120 credits for degree completion. To meet this requirement, students must complete the following:
- Political science major requirements
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences group requirements
- University general education requirements
Additionally, political science majors may choose one of the following seven options for their political science concentration. While not required, the Department of Political Science highly recommends completing a concentration:
- American government and politics
- Comparative politics
- Political policy and ethics
- Public law/legal studies
- Public policy and administration
- Quantitative political analysis
- World politics
Writing intensive requirement
Students must demonstrate proficiency in writing on disciplinary subject matter through a course that fulfills the intermediate composition requirement. Additionally, you must co-register in PS 5993: Writing Intensive Course in Political Science (zero credit course) and receive a grade of receive a grade of Satisfactory (S). See the writing intensive agreement.
Courses
Political science majors complete 32 credits, with the bulk of courses consisting of electives. If you choose to seek a concentration, we recommend aligning these electives with your career interests.
You learn about the following diverse topics in your required courses:
- American government
- Comparative politics
- Peace and conflict
- Political ideologies
- Public policy
- World politics
Meaningful political science research
The Department of Political Science at Wayne State University offers an expansive collection of research programs led by published faculty members. From peace research to the intersection of race, religion and ethnicity in U.S. politics, we offer a place for you to examine political theories and conduct community activism alongside experienced faculty.
Learn more about political science research
Fast-track your undergraduate and graduate degree
Wayne State University’s undergraduate political science degree program develops the foundational knowledge you need to enter graduate study. To graduate early, you can enroll in the Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program to complete your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science in just five years.
Learn more about the path to earning your Master of Arts in Political Science, Ph.D. in Political Science, Master of Public Administration or Joint Master of Arts in Political Science/J.D. degree.
To qualify: Maintain a GPA of no less than 3.3.
Political science bachelor’s degree career outlook
The critical thinking and professional communication skills you learn as a political science major are invaluable and transfer across nearly every industry. While most students enter careers in education, law, government or foreign service, your political science degree also equips you for the following industries:
- Business (for profit and nonprofit)
- Communications
- Finance
- Research
According to Zippia, the average political science major salary is over $52,000 per year. Choosing to further your studies by completing a master’s degree allows you to pursue a career as a political scientist, a highly lucrative profession where the median annual salary is $128,020 per year.
Career insights
A degree in political science can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are just a few of the many opportunities available in this field.
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Climate change policy analyst | $74,000 |
| Compliance manager | $81,000 |
| Labor relations specialist | $72,000 |
| Legislator | $55,000 |
| Political science teachers, postsecondary | $90,000 |
| Political scientist | $75,000 |
| Public relations specialist | $61,000 |
| Regulatory affairs manager | $81,000 |
| Regulatory affairs specialist | $74,000 |
This data provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.
Financial aid and tuition
To lower the cost of tuition, Wayne State University offers a range of scholarships, awarding them based on need and academic achievement.
Leverage our net price calculator to estimate your tuition savings after financial aid.
Learn more about Wayne State University’s political science major
Prepare for a future of impactful change in law, government, education or foreign service with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Wayne State University.