International Affairs is an interdisciplinary program for students interested in varied aspects of the global community. The major requires classes in political science, economics, history, language, and culture. All students take a capstone course that enables them to apply knowledge and skills gained through previous coursework to a major research project in an area of interest. Students may choose to specialize in international relations or in a particular geographic area. Area specializations in the comparative study concentration include Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The departmental faculty includes specialists in international security, human rights, international law, comparative public policy, international political economy and specific geographic areas. The major also draws on faculty from the departments of economics, foreign languages and literature, geography, history, justice studies, religion, sociology and anthropology. Graduates pursue careers in government and politics, intelligence, international business, international non-profit organizations, law, research and analysis, and other fields.

The Political Science program offers a strong liberal arts major for students interested in all aspects of politics and public policy. Students are required to complete a core set of courses introducing them to political theory, the global community, American politics and research methods. All students complete a writing intensive capstone course that requires them to apply knowledge and skills from previous coursework to a major research project in a chosen area of interest. The Washington Semester Program allows students to spend a semester living and working in Washington, D.C. while earning credit towards their degree. The Political Science department also hosts a non-partisan club for students interested in public affairs.

The department takes pride in preparing them to think critically and analytically and to communicate their ideas well. Graduates go on to careers in law, government, non-profit organizations, campaigns, policy analysis and with private firms affected by government policy. A dedicated faculty includes specialists in elections, media and politics, public policy, international security, international law, peace studies, political philosophy, U.S. governmental institutions, and major geographic regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East).

Purpose: This program prepares students to communicate proficiently in American Sign Language, including both expressive and receptive skills. The ASL Career Studies Certificate will improve the students' marketability in a wide range of positions where it is necessary to possess effective communication between hearing and Deaf persons. These fields include careers such as teaching, health and social service occupations, and public safety positions. Many people already holding positions in these areas would enhance their ability to perform their current jobs by expanding the range of people with whom they can communicate. The ASL Career Studies Certificate also fulfils all of the prerequisite requirements for our other programs of study. Many students complete the ASL CSC and then go on to enroll in either the Interpreting A.A.S. or Deaf Studies A.S. curriculum.

Purpose This curriculum is designed for students seeking licensure in K-12 Special Education Adapted Curriculum or K-12 Special Education General Curriculum. This curriculum prepares students to transfer to any four-year college or university teacher preparation program. Courses in this degree are designed to satisfy some of the endorsement and professional course requirements of a Virginia teaching license. In EDU 200, students will identify the endorsement (content) courses they need to earn a teaching license. Students should meet with a Teacher Education faculty member or Education Field Placement Coordinator and Advising Specialist to select the correct courses for their area of licensure. EDU 200 and EDU 204 both require 20-hour field placements in a K-12 public school. Students will be required to complete a background check before being placed in the schools. Students with criminal records should consult with the Teacher Education Field Placement Coordinator before enrolling in the courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take the VCLA after completing ENG 111, ENG 112, Eng-literature course, and CST 100 or 110.

Purpose: The curriculum is designed for persons who seek entry-level employment as clinical data coding specialists in healthcare organizations by providing them with knowledge in anatomy and medical terminology, skill development in ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT coding classification systems, database management, and clinical data abstracting processes, prospective payment systems, and reimbursement strategies. Clinical data coding specialists are in demand across the spectrum of healthcare organizations including hospitals, physician offices, insurance companies, managed care organizations, contracting groups, and accounting firms. Graduates of the certificate program are eligible to take one of two national certifying examinations administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to become a Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Office setting (CCS-P).

Purpose This curriculum is designed for students seeking a solid foundation in the theories, methods, and skills in the complementary fields of public history and historic preservation.

Purpose: This program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a college or university for a Bachelor of Arts in Art History.

Purpose This program is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree. Graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to students entering the junior level at four-year colleges and universities.

Political science in the broadest sense is the study of the institutions of power in society. The political science department strives to impart to its students knowledge and understanding of these institutions of power, the habits and skills of lifelong learning in our discipline, the ability to develop tools to interpret political activity in later life, and an appreciation of the responsibilities of citizenship in our democracy. The knowledge, tools, and skills learned in the department's courses are also intended to give students a strong foundation for graduate study in political science, public administration, law, or other disciplines and to prepare them for professional careers in public service, politics, interest group representation, business, journalism, teaching, and other professions.

Political science in the broadest sense is the study of the institutions of power in society. The political science department strives to impart to its students knowledge and understanding of these institutions of power, the habits and skills of lifelong learning in our discipline, the ability to develop tools to interpret political activity in later life, and an appreciation of the responsibilities of citizenship in our democracy. The knowledge, tools, and skills learned in the department's courses are also intended to give students a strong foundation for graduate study in political science, public administration, law, or other disciplines and to prepare them for professional careers in public service, politics, interest group representation, business, journalism, teaching, and other professions.

Our program encourages you to examine the ideals of governance, politics and responsible citizenship — both in your own life and on the world stage.

Seminar-style classes allow you to take a proactive approach to problem-solving in governance, equipping you with both the insight and skill to affect public policy. Many of our graduates currently work as lawyers, judges, policy experts, professors and political advisors.