Program Overview
The BA in Political Science at West Chester University prepares students for career in politics/public service, law, business, teaching, and international affairs. Our program emphasizes internships, service learning, and simulations to give our students hands-on experiences in their field. Our graduates are civically engaged, have outstanding communication and analytical skills, and value diversity. Students in the Political Science program can choose from several concentrations: general, applied public policy, international relations, or a certificate in social studies education. The faculty members in our program are actively engaged in research, teaching, and applied scholarship and act as mentors for students. Get Involved: International affairs forum Pre-law society Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honor society) College Democrats College Republicans
Tracks
Government and Politics
This is the most popular track in the program and it allows for the most flexibility. This concentration prepares students for careers in a number of areas including advocacy, journalism, politics, business, public opinion and survey research, government service, and military service, as well as advanced study in political science and law.
Applied Public Policy
This concentration is designed for students who intend to pursue careers analyzing public policy, working in government, or bringing their practical computer and survey skills to the government or business world.
International Relations
This track prepares students for a profession in the globalized 21st century. In the International Relations track of the Department of Political Science, students develop the knowledge-based, language, and professional skills necessary to participate effectively in this increasingly interdependent world
Certificate in Social Studies Education
This track prepares students to teach social studies at the secondary education level, and includes course work in all major fields of social studies as well as time spent in the field student teaching. Students in this program have an academic advisor from the Political Science Department as well as a professional advisor from the School of Education.
Program Highlights
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Faculty experts who are also mentors
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Opportunities for collaborative faculty research
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Study abroad options
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Political Science-specific internships, including competitive placements in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.
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Minors available in Law, Politics, & Society and Global Studies
What can I do with this degree?
Our Graduates go on to careers at prestigious organizations including:
- U.S. Department of State
- Excelon
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- SEPTA
- Everbridge International Monetary Fund
- Diversity Abroad
- Humane Society
In a variety of roles like:
- Project Manager
- Senior Manager
- State and Government Relations
- Incident Analyst
- Foreign Affairs Officer
- Political Campaign Consultant
- Director of Legislative Information
- Chief Advocacy Officer
- Management Consultant
And earn their graduate degrees from institutions across the country including:
- Howard University
- Penn State
- Widener
- West Chester University
- University of Cincinnati
- Rutgers
- Ohio
- Northern
- Temple
- Valparaiso University
- Villanova