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Political Science Major
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Academic Programs海角社区 this Program
The role of the executive branch. Legal history. Generational shifts in the electorate. The Politics of Protest. Global politics. What does it all mean for you, your community and the world?
As an 海角社区 Political Science student, you will study America鈥檚 political system and processes, effective political action, nation-state behavior and and political systems across the world. You will also learn critical perspectives, analytical proficiencies and communication skills that will help you understand and grapple with complex local, national and global affairs.
Program Requirements
The Political Science Major requires 45 credits. For more details about the major and University requirements, see the 海角社区 Catalog.
Required Courses:
- PSC 1010 – American National Government Credits: 3
- PSC 1020 – Comparative Politics Credits: 3
- PSC 2230 – Introduction to International Relations Credits: 3
- PSC 2500 – The Search for Knowledge in Political Science Credits: 3
- PSC 3050 – Political Theory Credits: 3
- PSC 3500 – Conducting Quantitative Political Analysis Credits: 3
- PSC 4020 – Democracy Credits: 3
Electives: A minimum of 24 credits political鈥痵cience鈥痬ust be completed. At least 18 of these 24 hours must be upper-division courses (3000- and 4000-level).
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Get Rowdy Ready
Follow the semester-by-semester steps outlined in the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to ensure your success at 海角社区.
Take me to the CLAS Student Success RoadmapBenefits of Studying at 海角社区
The Department of Political Science delivers all the academic content you expect from a B.A. program while also bringing to the table everything that鈥檚 unique about 海角社区鈥檚 people and Denver鈥檚 political community.
Take classes on a vibrant and diverse downtown campus
Enjoy attending classes on a vibrant and diverse downtown campus that鈥檚 located only minutes from the Colorado Capitol Building, all while, benefitting from small classes and extensive interaction with faculty dedicated to your success. We not only offer traditional classroom meeting times, but you also have access to and the convenience of evening course options. We are a big university with a small college approach to education.
Get involved in activities that get you ahead
Participate in a range of special activities that enrich your academic experience and professional development. Engage in pre-law advising, join the Mock Trial team, or take part in Model UN. You can also become a member of the 海角社区 student chapters of the National Political Science Honor Society (螤危螒) and the Political Science Association. Getting involved in co-curricular projects sponsored by the department鈥攆rom events addressing important contemporary issues to lectures by leading academics and practitioners from around the world鈥攑rovides you with valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Engaging in these activities helps you deepen your understanding of political science while fostering connections with peers and experts in the field.
Jump start your Professional career with one-of-a-kind internships
Intern with various organizations that can serve as stepping stones to your future career. The Political Science program offers prolific internship and experiential learning opportunities that provide first-hand experiences with politics in action鈥攁ll within walking distance. Interested in internships a little further? Apply for 海角社区’s Presidential Federal Internship program in Washington, D.C. or for those interested in international politics, the opportunity to participate in the Model United Nations and extensive travel abroad and student exchange programs enrich already expansive on-campus coursework.
This video features students who participated in the 海角社区 Institute for Public Service Presidential Internship Program (1:59, Closed Captions)
Career Opportunities for Our Graduates
Earning a B.A. in political science from 海角社区 prepares students for graduate opportunities and careers in public and private sectors including state, local and federal governments and their agencies; public policy; law; business; journalism; foreign service and international organizations as well as secondary and college education.
Your Career Starts Here!
- Attorney
- Budget Analyst
- Campaign Consultant and Operative
- Foreign Service Officer
- Intelligence Analyst
- International Agency Officer
- Journalist
- Legislator
- Lobbyist
- Policy Analyst
- Political Activist, Advocate or Organizer
- Public Affairs Consultant
- Public Agency, Non-profit or Private Sector Administrator
- Public Opinion Analyst
- Research Analyst
Featured Faculty
Robert Preuhs, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Robert Preuhs鈥� research focuses on issues of representation and democracy through the lens of racial and ethnic politics, state and national political institutions and public policy. His publications have appeared in leading peer-reviewed journals such as The American Journal of Political Science, The Journal of Politics and Political Research Quarterly. He and fellow professors Norman Provizer and Andy Thangasamy recently authored the piece, 鈥淐ontesting Colorado: The Politics of Change in the Centennial State鈥� in the book, 鈥淧residential Swing States: Why Only Ten Matter鈥� (Rowman and Littlefield, 2015).
Sheila Rucki, Ph.D., Professor
Sheila Rucki teaches in the sub-fields of political theory and international relations/international political economy. She works with her students to develop research and analysis skills and to learn to understand the world through the lens of critical political theory. Her research has been published in New Political Science and she has contributed chapters to At the Interface / Probing the Boundaries from Brill Publishing. She is also an Erasmus + Faculty Exchange fellow.
海角社区 Political Science alumni have...
- Colorado General Assembly
- National Council of U.S.-Arab Relations, Washington, D.C.
- Office of the District Attorney, Trinidad, Colo.
- Peace Corps, Mongolia
- Swedish Embassy of Indonesia
- Teach for America
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. Treasury Department
Graduate School: George Washington University, the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Lehman College, New York University, and University of Colorado, University of Denver.
Law School: American University School of Law, Fordham University School of Law, Seattle University School of Law, University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of Michigan, and University of Washington.
Why Choose 海角社区
Hispanic Serving Institution
海角社区 has 36.7% Hispanic/Latinx students which the highest number of Hispanic/Latinx students among institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
海角社区 is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion and has been named one of the Top Colleges for Diversity by Insight Into Diversity for 10 consecutive years.
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Transfer Student Leader
50% of 海角社区 students are transfers. As the top transfer destination for Coloradans, our students make an immediate impact on our workforce and community.
Learn more about 海角社区's ExcellenceContact the Department of Political Science
Auraria Campus Location
King Center, Room 鈥� 498
Mailing Address
海角社区, Department of Political Science
Campus Box 43
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO. 80217-3362