Program Details
Political Science (BA)
Bachelor of ArtsEmory & Henry University
Objective: To give students an understanding of the full spectrum of political science and political activity, with a focus on the four traditional branches of the discipline: American, comparative, international, and political theory. To prepare students for graduate study in political science; entry into careers related to public service, government, international affairs, business abroad, or public administration; or teaching civics, American government, or foreign affairs at the secondary level.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Political science can take you anywhere. We welcome students interested in law school, graduate school in the social sciences, or other graduate programs. If you are someone who wants to get a job right out of undergrad, political science is a great choice for you, too! Upper level political science classes are generally small with a lot of class discussion. Lower division classes are taught similarly; students are expected to take an active role in their own learning. Because classes are so discussion based, courses are generally taught during workdays on campus. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Students should be prepared for a reading and writing heavy discipline. This is to prepare students for careers in law, government, and business. I would recommend that students wanting to be political science majors focus building skills related to writing, reading, and public speaking.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | E&H requires that students either study abroad or take an additional Core 300 course. An internship is strongly recommended for political science majors, and so transportation would likely be required for an internship. The Career Center has many resources available for students seeking internships. All upper division courses in political science are taught in person during the standard semesters (Fall and Spring). Generally, upper division summer courses are not offered. |
Doing More With Your Degree | The politics department at E&H often has students study abroad either for a semester or a shorter term. The department encourages internships and does a good job preparing students for law school and other graduate programs. Because politics is so flexible, double majors are very common. Another great thing about the E&H politics department is that we have a strong emphasis on research methods. Students have an option to add a concentration in social science applied data analysis where they will learn a variety qualitative and quantitative methods and apply those methods to their own research project. |
Program Successes & Highlights | One of my favorite classes to teach is the senior seminar in politics. In addition to substantive content, I (the professor) arranged to have an alumni zoom in nearly every week of the semester. Alums were working as lawyers, a federal government employee, a data analyst, employees in the nonprofit sector ... and more! I also worked with the Career Center to make sure that all of the politics majors have a great resume, LinkedIn profile, and cover letter template for their post E&H lives. |
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 Emory & Henry 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.
Institution Name | Type | Title |
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Virginia Highlands Community College | GAA | Guaranteed Admission Agreement |
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 Uniform Certificate of General Studies or an AA/AS degree program will guarantee completion of the 'Think,
Understand & Create' liberal arts core component of the E&H undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the major. Other elements of the core curriculum may need to be met if not taken as part of the AA/AS degree. Students will be required to complete CORE 200 and CORE 300 at E&H. Students completing at least 56 credits following high school graduation but before transferring to E&H are exempt from CORE 100, CORE 103, and Emory Abroad/Global Citizenship. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Only students who have completed college credit elsewhere following high school graduation will be exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement. Completion of courses that satisfy elements of the Care & Cultural Competency and Think, Understand & Create elements of the curriculum will be awarded equivalent credit with an earned grade of C or better. Students completing the Uniform Certificate of General Studies or an AA/AS degree program concurrently with their high school diploma will not be exempt from CORE 100, CORE 103, or Emory Abroad/Global Citizenship. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Emory & Henry awards credit for AP, IB, and CLEP. Please see the credit equivalency charts to determine the needed scores for course credit. Currently, we do not award academic credit for industry or military training. |
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? | Emory & Henry University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business, Nursing and Health Sciences with more than 90 academic majors, minors and tracks. No matter what you choose to study at Emory & Henry University,you'll be challenged, supported and inspired by your faculty mentors. 10:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio We know you want to engage. With an average class size of 14 students, you will easily be able to be involved in the discussion and have more one-on-one time with your professors. With more than 90 academic majors, minors and tracks, you will find and connect with something you are passionate about! 'Increase in Excellence,' the historic motto of Emory & Henry University, expresses our intention to be a learning community that moves toward fulfilling every student's potential. |
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 | No application fee - free to apply |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Randolph-Macon College | Political Science (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Government and International Politics, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Arts Global Studies | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
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 |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Social Sciences | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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
