Program Details
Program Details
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Bachelor of Arts
Randolph-Macon College
Program Details
Political Science (BA)
Bachelor of ArtsPolitical Science (BA)
Randolph-Macon College
Political science in the broadest sense is the study of the institutions of power in society. The political science department strives to impart to its students knowledge and understanding of these institutions of power, the habits and skills of lifelong learning in our discipline, the ability to develop tools to interpret political activity in later life, and an appreciation of the responsibilities of citizenship in our democracy. The knowledge, tools, and skills learned in the department's courses are also intended to give students a strong foundation for graduate study in political science, public administration, law, or other disciplines and to prepare them for professional careers in public service, politics, interest group representation, business, journalism, teaching, and other professions.
Program Overview & Guidance
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | The department's courses give students a strong foundation for careers in law, public administration, election campaigns, and other professions especially in public service. Being close to both Richmond and Washington gives our students the opportunity for many exciting internships in state and national government which can lead to employment opportunities right after graduation. The department supports several student groups, such as Pi Sigma Alpha (the honors society for political science), Virginia21 ('empowers college students and young Virginians to be engaged citizens and advocates for issues important to them and Virginia's future'), the Pre-Law Society, and when active the Young Democrats and College Republicans. Please note: Students enrolled at Randolph-Macon College attend classes primarily Monday-Friday between 8 am - 5 pm with very few evening courses. The large majority of RMC coursework is offered in-person and on campus. A very limited selection of online courses is offered in summer sessions. No more than one half of the courses on a major or minor can be transferred; at least one-half of the semester hours of the major or minor must be taken at Randolph-Macon. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Environmental Studies, International Studies, Communication Studies
|
| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | A Randolph-Macon intern in January has a unique opportunity to be a full-time (unpaid, typically) employee without having to schedule the internship around campus courses, as is the case for other area universities. Our interns serving during the General Assembly session in Richmond may be one of only two or three assistants to the legislator or to a lobbying organization and are given significant responsibilities. DC-based interns can work on Capital Hill, for lobbying firms, or in executive branch agencies. Our interns learn to engage with constituents, lobbyists, other legislators, and learn valuable skills in event planning, legislative tracking, and all types of political communication. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | While in the program, students have opportunities to conduct research in collaboration with a faculty member. These collaborations have led to recent 'best paper' awards for presentations at academic conferences. Often these research efforts are sponsored through the Shapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, which has even supported international research for qualified students. The department's Research Methods class prepares students for these research opportunities and for graduate study later. Our graduates often report they were better prepared than their peers in graduate school to begin to conduct research, or as law students to understand statistical data often used in legal documents. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | In fall 2022, the department reviewed student outcomes for our major graduates 2018-2022. We had information on 84 of the 102 graduates over those five years. 82 of the 84 were either employed or pursuing post-graduate studies. 34 of our recent graduates have gone on to post-graduate studies, 19 of whom have gone to law school. 20 recent graduates are working directly in politics as staffers to elected officials at both the state and national level, in governement agencies, in government relations work (lobbying), and with federal contractors. 18 gradutes were in the private sector, working in the financial sector, as lawyers or in law firms, military, media, and education. |
Program Credit Requirements
Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this 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.
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
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 Randolph-Macon College 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 |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students admitted under our guaranteed admissions agreement are guaranteed completion of most general education requirements. Students may need to complete additional foreign language coursework to complete the Effective Communication requirements and must complete the college's Cross-Area Requirements, most of which can be fulfilled through major programs and should not significantly increase the time to completion of degree.
|
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
| Credit for Prior Learning | We accept AP (4 or 5 on the exam) and IB (5, 6, or 7 on higher level exams). |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
Transfer Center
Transfer Admissions : Randolph-Macon College (rmc.edu)
Visit our transfer site for more information
Number of Transfer Students
120
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
71
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | At Randolph-Macon, we recognize the breadth of knowledge and experience you bring as a transfer student. Our personalized, hands-on approach to learning lets you build on that foundation, honing the skills you'll need to excel. No matter what your future goals, we'll set you on a path to success that’s uniquely yours. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at RMC. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | GAA students must complete the RMC transfer application and submit all required materials by June 1 (for fall term) or December 1 (for spring term). GAA students will submit an Intent to Transfer form through their current community college contact to RMC. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
This section displays degrees most closely related to this program
and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the
next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to
visit that program page.
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Emory & Henry University | Political Science (BA) | 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 |
| 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 |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Early Childhood Education, AAS | Associate | Associate in Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in K-8 Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Develop | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Teacher Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Teacher Education - Secondary Mathematics Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education (English/History) | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Early Childhood Development, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Education, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Education | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Teacher Preparation Elementary (PreK-6) Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science/Math Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences - Education Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Secondary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
| George Mason University | Secondary Education, BSEd | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Education | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Education Secondary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Education Secondary Education Special Ed 6-12 | Bachelor | Bachelor of Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Secondary Education: Agricultural Education Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Secondary Education: English Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Ferrum College | B.S. in Secondary Education: History and Social Sciences Emphasis | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| 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 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 11-9199.11 | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 19-4061.00 | 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 |
| 25-1081.00 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-1063.00 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-3011.00 | Economists | Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-3011.01 | Environmental Economists | Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
Cost To Complete