Program Details
BA in Political Science
Bachelor of ArtsRadford University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
Political Science involves the study of politics and government. The political science curriculum at Radford University is intended to provide undergraduates with a background in the discipline within the context of a liberal arts education. The major and minor requirements in political science are intended to develop the skills employers seek including written and oral communication, teamwork, ethical thinking, understanding of diversity and global issues, creative problem solving, critical thinking, and information literacy. These skills, alongside an emphasis on understanding how politics translates beyond the classroom, help students prepare for a variety of careers as well as graduate or professional studies. Political science supports curricular and co-curricular activities in pre-law and Model United Nations.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes This program has a foreign language requirement. To graduate with a major in Political Science, a student must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses taken with a POSC prefix. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Radford University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of the transfer-oriented associate degree program will guarantee completion of the University Core general education component of the RU undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequesisites needed for the major. You enter as a junior with general education requirements met as indicated in the pathway map. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | You enter as a junior with general education requirements met as indicated in the pathway map. |
Credit for Prior Learning | We accept AP, IB, and CLEP results for college credit if the score earned meets college expectations. Enter your test into the portal to see if your scores will earn credit. If you have industry or military experience, please use College Connect to reach out to us to discuss these prior learning experiences. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Radford University is a medium-sized residential college campus of just over 7,500 students. Located the city of Radford in southwest Virginia, we offer 76 academic majors in six academic colleges. Incoming freshmen are required to live on campus their first two years; incoming transfer students do not have an on-campus requirement but are able to live on campus should they so choose. Opportunities to get involved on campus are numerous and include more than 200 student organizations, Division I athletic teams, and plenty of outdoor adventure trip planned by the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Averett University | Bachelor of Science in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Hollins University | BA in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Eastern Shore Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate in Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | General Studies, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Social Sciences: Political Science Specialization, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science Degree Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Major in International Affairs | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Major in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Pol Science:Global Politics BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Political Science BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Political Science BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Political Science: Global Politics BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Political Science: Pre-Law BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Political Science: Pre-Law BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Lynchburg | BA in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, Major in Government | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
William & Mary | Government - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Political Science-BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
Old Dominion University | Political Science-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
University of Mary Washington | BA in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Marymount University | Political Science and International Relations (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Art | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Political Science Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Arts Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Ferrum College | B.S. in Political Science (Minor Required) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Political Science with concentration in Civil Rights, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Political Science with concentration in Comparative Politics, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Political Science with concentration in Human Security, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Political Science with concentration in International Relations, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Political Science with concentration in Political Theory and Methodology, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Political Science with concentration in Politics and Government, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Political Science with concentration in Public Policy and Administration, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Political Science with concentration in U.S. Government, Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Applied History Social Sciences (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | History (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Physics (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Political Science (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
11-9199.11 | Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.02 | Compliance Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.08 | Loss Prevention Managers | Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.00 | Managers, All Other | All managers not listed separately. | Management Occupations |
25-1065.00 | Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
19-3094.00 | Political Scientists | Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
11-9199.01 | Regulatory Affairs Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures. | Management Occupations |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
19-4061.00 | Social Science Research Assistants | Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
11-9199.10 | Wind Energy Development Managers | Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.09 | Wind Energy Operations Managers | Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete
