Program Details
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Bachelor of ArtsRandolph College
Political science is a wide ranging discipline composed of many separate fields and specializations at the local, national and international levels. What holds all the separate fields together is a common interest in questions regarding the following: governmental and international institutions and their sources of power, political conflict and its resolution, political mechanisms for defining and achieving justice, and the origins and results of policy choices at the local, national, and international level, among other things. The Department addresses these and other issues through a variety of courses in American government, comparative government, and international relations. Given the diversity of interests within the field, majors will work with their advisor to tailor their program to their particular interest. Most are encouraged to undertake internships or engage in other experiences to bolster their understanding of political processes. Majors are encouraged to take courses outside the Department that support their academic interests and/or their career goals.
Those with a very strong interest in international politics and issues might want to consider the global studies major. Students may choose to major in political science or do one of the two minors.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Political science is a wide ranging discipline composed of many separate fields and specializations at the local, national and international levels. What holds all the separate fields together is a common interest in questions regarding the following: governmental and international institutions and their sources of power, political conflict and its resolution, political mechanisms for defining and achieving justice, and the origins and results of policy choices at the local, national, and international level, among other things. The Department addresses these and other issues through a variety of courses in American government, comparative government, and international relations. Given the diversity of interests within the field, majors will work with their advisor to tailor their program to their particular interest. Most are encouraged to undertake internships or engage in other experiences to bolster their understanding of political processes. Majors are encouraged to take courses outside the Department that support their academic interests and/or their career goals. Those with a very strong interest in international politics and issues might want to consider the global studies major. Students may choose to major in political science or do one of the two minors. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Twenty hours of the courses in the major, including POL 4495, must be completed in residence at Randolph College. |
Doing More With Your Degree | Those with a very strong interest in international politics and issues might want to consider the global studies major. Students may choose to major in political science or do one of the two minors. |
Program Successes & Highlights | Majors with an emphasis on American politics are encouraged to participate in appropriate programs combining practical experience with courses taken through other institutions. Interested students should discuss available options with their advisers or the chair of the department. |
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.
Every student should develop some capability in a language, ancient or modern, other than her or his own. Fulfillment of this requirement may be accomplished in one of the following ways:
- Successful completion of two sessions of a single foreign language not previously studied; or
- Successful completion of two sessions of a single foreign language at the elementary or intermediate level in a language previously studied, depending on placement; or
- Successful completion of a course above the intermediate level; or
- Exemption based on a qualifying SAT II score, an Advanced Placement score of 4 or better, an International Baccalaureate score of 5 or better, or departmental examination. International students fluent in a language other than English may request an exemption from the Office of the Provost of the College. Other students fluent in a language other than English may apply to the Board of Review for exemption.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.
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 general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will not guarantee completion of the general education component of the Randolph undergraduate curriculum. Courses will be evaluated individually upon transfer. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Completion of the general education certificate or a transfer-oriented associate degree program will not guarantee completion of the general education component of the Randolph undergraduate curriculum. Courses will be evaluated individually upon transfer. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Not Available |
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? | |
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 | See the transfer application process;https://www.randolphcollege.edu/admission/apply/transfer-student/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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 |
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
