Program Details
BA in Political Science
Bachelor of ArtsUniversity of Lynchburg
The political science major has four basic objectives: to explore the nature of politics–its purposes, limitations, and significance; to promote understanding of the various forms of political regimes and movements; to examine current trends and persistent patterns in the relations of nation-states; and to develop a capacity for intelligent evaluation of public policies and an awareness of opposing points of view. Throughout, the major emphasizes moral questions in politics and the place of fundamental ideas about human nature, justice, and the purposes of government.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between University of Lynchburg 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 a transferrable Associate's degree will award students credit for general education requirements except for the senior capstone course. No distinction will be made by the University of Lynchburg regarding college courses applicable to the transfer-oriented associate degree that are taken through dual enrollment arrangements with high schools. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | No distinction will be made by the University of Lynchburg regarding college courses applicable to the transfer-oriented associate degree that are taken through dual enrollment arrangements with high schools. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Credits awarded for transferrable courses with a grade of "C" or higher. |
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? | Lynchburg is a nationally recognized private university where students gain a greater heart for humanity and a mindset of individual growth. Here, thought-provoking learning ignites change in each individual, and the world. We combine traditional classroom instruction with experiential learning and real-world applications bringing a hands-on, multi-faceted approach that serves our students best today and for the rest of their lives. We’re a tight-knit community that’s accepting and inviting. We’re socially responsible and active, and don’t hesitate to stand up and speak out for what’s just and right. Pride and belonging are important at Lynchburg. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determind by first semester of enrollment |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalogue determined by first semester of enrollment |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.lynchburg.edu/undergraduate-admission/for-applicants/transfer-and-access-adult-student-guide/guaranteed-admission-for-vccs-associate-degrees/ |
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 |
Radford University | BA in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in Political Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 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 |
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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
