Program Details
Political Science with concentration in International Relations, Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of ArtsVirginia Commonwealth 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.
To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, students must complete 45 upper-level credits (including upper-level course work in the major) and maintain a cumulative and major GPA of 2.0. Students may count a maximum of nine credits from internships, mentorships, or independent studies toward the major. Students may also apply three credits from courses in other departments toward the major with prior approval from the department chair.
Outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following: Assumptions, methods and analytical tools: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the assumptions, methods and analytical tools of the discipline of political science. Current political and policy issues: Students will demonstrate knowledge of current political and policy issues. Theory and principles of four subfields: Students will demonstrate an understanding of basic theory and conceptual principles of political science in the four subfields of American government, political theory, international relations and comparative politics. Advanced understanding of one subfield: Students will demonstrate an advanced understanding of current theoretical and empirical study in one subfield. Expository and analytic writing: Students will demonstrate skill in expository and analytic writing in the political science discipline Political behavior: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the ways in which individuals, national governmental organizations, political movements and parties, nation-states, and intergovernmental institutions work to achieve their political objectives. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theoretical and policy principles and dilemmas of the sub-field of international relations
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | The Department of Political Science offers unique courses and study away opportunities that help students gain firsthand experience and pursue meaningful research projects on issues they care about. Our courses mostly involve, but are not limited to, reading and writing intensive coursework and research projects (research papers, presentations, and opportunities to engage in real-world work and research). In the Political Campaigns and Communication course, for example, students travel to New Hampshire to meet with presidential candidates and volunteer for candidate campaigns. Meanwhile, students in the department’s Diplomacy Lab work with State Department officials to research a real-world problem affecting U.S. foreign policy and make recommendations directly to diplomats and policy makers in foreign governments. Faculty affiliations with the Institute for Democracy, Pluralism, and Community Empowerment and the Institute for Sustainable Energy and Environment open doors for students interested in community empowerment, political engagement, social justice, the environment, and energy. Recent students have also created nonprofit organizations, traveled abroad to study in Kenya, Italy, and Australia, conducted field research with professors, presented co-authored research articles at major conferences, participated in podcasts, and even published their work in prominent periodicals. |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, students must complete 45 upper-level credits (including upper-level course work in the major) and maintain a cumulative and major GPA of 2.0. Students may count a maximum of nine credits from internships, mentorships, or independent studies toward the major. Students may also apply three credits from courses in other departments toward the major with prior approval from the department chair. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
The Department of Political Science offers a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science as well as elective courses in political science for program majors and non-majors. The political science curriculum has two central objectives. It offers the student a broad liberal arts education along with a comprehensive understanding of the political process and government of the United States, comparative studies of government and politics, international relations, theories of politics and government, and research methods. It also provides a sound foundation for graduate study in political science, public administration, and nonprofit management, or for careers that require knowledge of governance and the political process, such as law, lobbying, consulting, risk analysis, and diplomacy. Advisors generally recommend that students limit their enrollment in Political Science coursework to two to three Political Science courses per semester, because of the reading and writing-intensive nature of our courses. If students transfer to VCU and still need to take our foundational, lower-division courses, we advise those students to limit their enrollment to no more than two lower-division courses per semester because of the amount of reading and content they require and their assessment methods (comprehensive exams and quizzes).
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | Political Science majors can select one of eight concentrations: Civil Rights, Comparative Politics, Human Security, International Relations, Political Theory and Methodology, Politics and Government, Public Policy and Administration, or U.S. Government. Non-majors can choose one of three minors: Political Science, Public Management, or Nonprofit Management and Administration. Students can also enroll in an accelerated five-year BA in Political Science / Master of Public Administration degree, in partnership with VCU’s Wilder School. Many Political Science students, with the guidance of the Department, decide to complete internships for academic credit and professional experience. They also have many opportunities to work with professors on research projects, including research assistantships, faculty-supervised independent projects, and Vertically Integrated Projects. Students are also invited to participate in our annual undergraduate student research conference each spring semester (hosted at VCU) where they can present their research and projects among their peers and with the guidance and feedback of faculty and partner staffed panels. Likewise, students can also either submit research to or decide to serve on the editorial board for our undergraduate research journal, The Ramerican. |
Program Successes & Highlights | During the past five years, Political Science majors have needed on average 3.88 years to graduate. Alumni work in a wide range of careers in local and state government; federal government; law; public policy; campaigns and elections; non-profit organizations; international organizations, education, and business. Many alumni have gone on to attend graduate and professional schools, from American University, College of William and Mary, and Columbia University, to the University of Texas, Virginia Tech, and Yale University. Because we exclusively offer an undergraduate program, students take their full range of Political Science courses, from the lower to upper division and senior level, with our full-time teach and research faculty or the occasional field expert we might select to teach various courses. This also means that students foster meaningful and one-on-one relationships with faculty at the undergraduate level (opportunities often reserved for graduate and PhD students in most Political Science programs) which often lead to research, experiential, and professional opportunities that positive impact--if not make a critical difference--in professional development, job placement, and continuing education opportunities. |
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 Virginia Commonwealth 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 | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. |
Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
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? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
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 |
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 |
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
