Bachelor in Political Science
Bolivar, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 28,656 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* total including room, board, and fees will be $40,342
Introduction
What is political science? It is the study of government, law, and politics at the local, state, national and international levels. A political science bachelor's degree is a practical liberal arts degree that will open a lot of doors for various career paths depending on your interests. As a political science major at SBU, you will develop valuable skills in research, analytical reasoning, and communication that will serve you well as you pursue graduate studies or your career goals.
You can easily combine your political science degree with another major, such as history, communication, or criminal justice, to add greater depth to your academic plan.
SBU's political science major will prepare you for various job opportunities in government, public or private sector, international relations, inter-government and NGOs, newspapers, academia, lobbying, and more. The political science degree at SBU is also the leading major our pre-law students select when preparing for law school.
The SBU Advantage
- Political science majors have completed political science internships in Washington, D.C.; Jefferson City, Mo.; and Springfield, Mo.
- Thrive in small classes where you receive personal attention, individualized instruction, and one-on-one advisement, including specialized pre-law advisement for students seeking to go on to law school following graduation from SBU.
- You will be challenged to think deeply about the relationship between faith and culture, between faith and politics, and how Christianity has impacted the wider world.
- Courses cover a broad spectrum of topics within the discipline, ranging from the American government to African history to the Holocaust, all taught from the viewpoint of a Christian perspective.
Curriculum
Freshman
Fall Semester
- ENG 1113 English Composition I 3
- CIS 1103 Computer and Information Management 3
- HIS 1113 Introduction to World Civilization I 3
- POL 1113 American Government and Politics 3
- BIB 1013 Old Testament History 3
- UNI 1111 University Seminar 1
Total hours 16
Spring Semester
- ENG 2213 English Composition II 3
- FAR 10_3 Intro. to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre 3
- POL 2223 American State and Local Government 3
- COM 1103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
- BIB 1023 New Testament History 3
- UNI 1121 Introduction to Critical Thinking 1
Total hours 16
Sophomore
Fall Semester
- MAT 1143 College Algebra 3
- HIS 2213 U.S. History I 3
- SPF 2012 Introduction to Spiritual Formation 2
- BIO 1004 Principles of Biology 4
- KIN 1162 Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness 2
- POL 295(1-4) Special Topics in Political Science 1-4
Total hours 15-18
Spring Semester
- POL 3313 International Relations 3
- HIS 2223 U.S. History II 3
- ECO 2003 LIFE Economics 3
- Elective 3
- PSY 1013 General Psychology 3
Total hours 15
Junior
Fall Semester
- Language (BA)/Support Course (BS) 3-4
- Support Course (BS) 3
- PHS 1004 Introduction to Physical Science 4
- POL 3323 Comparative Government 3
- POL 4563 The Supreme Court and Constitutional
- Development 3
- Free Elective/Second Major 3
Total hours 20-21
Spring Semester
- Language (BA)/Support Course (BS) 3-4
- POL 4453 Congress and the Legislative Process 3
- POL 4883 Political Philosophy 3
- Elective 3
- POL 4013 African History and Politics 3
Total hours 15-16
Senior
Fall Semester
- POL 4673 The American Presidency 3
- POL 4003 Public Administration 3
- Free Elective/Second Major 3
- Free Elective/Second Major 3
- Free Elective/Second Major 3
- Political Science Elective 3
Total hours 18
Spring Semester
- Free Elective/Second Major 3
- Free Elective/Second Major 3
- Free Elective/Second Major 3
- Free Elective/Second Major 3
- POL 4983 Internship in Political Science 3
Total hours 15
This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements.
Career Opportunities
SBU political science graduates are equipped for a variety of careers from law and law enforcement to public service to the ministry. Here are just a few examples of what our political science graduates are doing:
- Special Agent, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.
- Director of Administration, City of Shrewsbury, Mo.
- Manager, World Trade Center, Kansas City, Mo.
- Director of Research, John Hancock and Associates
- Corporate Attorney, various corporations
Graduate Schools
Many of our political science graduates pursue further education at institutions such as the following:
- Emporia State University
- Notre Dame University
- University of Missouri
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Virginia
- Washburn University
- Washington University in St. Louis
Student Testimonials
Admissions
Gallery
English Language Requirements
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