Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Catalog Year 2025-2027

Based on VCCS Curriculum for POLITICAL SCIENCE

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• Applicable Associate Degrees: AA and AS

• Minimum GPA requirement: 2.5/4.0

• Course requirements: Students must earn a grade of 'C' or higher in VCCS courses for credit to be transferred into Bridgewater.

• Maximum credits applicable for transfer: 68

• Testing requirements: Bridgewater College is test optional. Students using the GAA are not required to submit standardized test scores for admittance

Important Links & Dates

• Transfer Info, Application, & Financial Aid Information: www.bridgewater.edu/transfer

• Deposit: On or before June 1

• FAFSA-Free Applications for Federal Student Aid: For highest aid, submit by March 1. Visit www.Studentaid.gov for more info

• Admissions Applications: No Deadline - Rolling Admissions

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Connect with the transfer counselor at Bridgewater within your first year for help choosing the correct courses for your program.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• Understand how political ideas, political institutions, laws, public policies, interest groups, the media, elections, and public opinion affect political, social and economic change.

• Integrate knowledge across the disciplines to address public problems and design political institutions and regulations that are responsive and efficient.

• Develop critical thinking, critical reading, policy/legal analysis, teamwork, and communication skills.

• Gain the knowledge and skills to become a successful and ethical leader.

• Learn from faculty who are internationally recognized scholars in their field.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: The completion of an Associate Degree results in all lower-division general education requirements being met, except for CL 150 (a transfer orientation class that introduces students to the BC Academic community) and CL 400 (a senior portfolio class).

• Credit for Prior Learning: AP, IB, and CLEP are evaluated for credits. See this link for AP Equivalencies: https://bridgewater.app.box.com/s/yp8uq0l32pexh5tfywiufc7g9azwlk2d

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at the community college post high-school graduation.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Small class sizes with academic advisors in each department. All in-person.

• 23 NCAA DIII Sports

• Commuting or on-campus housing.

• Robust career services, academic support services, and clubs and activities.

• Study Abroad in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. See here for more information: https://www.bridgewater.edu/academics/study-abroad/

Did You Know That…

• BC awards merit scholarships to transfer students based on the cumulative GPA from community college course work. www.bridgewater.edu/admissions-aid

• 100% of students receive financial assistance.

• There are 55 different majors and minors.

• The Student:Faculty ratio is 13:1, with the average class size being 19.

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Go to law school or pursue careers in the law such as lawyer, judge, and paralegal.

• Careers in politics, public administration and public policy such as politician, legislative affairs, public administrator, non-profit management, lobbyist, and political communication.

• Careers in security and diplomacy such as law enforcement, the military, national security and intelligence, foreign policy, and policy analysis.

• Careers in higher education and secondary education.

• Many political science majors use their superior analytical and communication skills for careers in business, sales and human resources.

Program Successes & Highlights

• About half of political science majors go to graduate programs, including law school (J.D.), Masters in Public Administration, Master in Public Policy, Masters in Security Studies, and doctoral programs in Political Science (Ph.D.).

• Our students find creative ways to apply their knowledge of political science to whatever career comes next: teaching, business, non-profit or governmental sectors.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• Students that maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, show proficiency in college level Mathematics and English, and are in good academic standing have a high possibility of being admitted.

Do More With Your Degree!

• Check out www.bridgewater.edu/life-at-bridgewater/career-development/career-exploration

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• All students in this program are strongly encouraged to become involved in community service projects.

• All students in this program are strongly encouraged to add a major or minor to develop professional skills such as writing, accounting, language, digital media strategy, statistics/math, computer programming, and art/design.

• All students are strongly encouraged to study abroad, either for one semester, two semesters, or a May-term travel course.

• All students are strongly encouraged to develop leadership and community service skills in student clubs and student government.

• All students are required to do research projects in classes and senior seminar, and they are encouraged to undertake independent study courses, honors projects, and the summer-term Research Experience @ Bridgewater.