Political Science (BS)

BS On-Campus Main Campus

DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

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Impact the world with politics, policy, and the law. This is where fearless begins.

A Political Science, Bachelor of Science degree focuses on government and international relations, public administration, and political theory.  

Our students regularly intern with local, state, and federal elected officials and find successful careers in government, campaigns, academic research and teaching, and international affairs. 

Where Bold Ideas Take Shape

As a political science major at SEMO, you’ll be challenged to think about national and international politics. 

  • Engage with exceptionally well qualified faculty members who work closely with students in small settings. 
  • Thrive in specialized student organizations like the Political Science and Political Theory Clubs and the student honorary society Pi Sigma Alpha 
  • Gain hands-on real-world experience in a practicum, professional conference, or internship. 
  • Participate in Model United Nations 
  • Prepare for graduate or other advanced study of to take the LSATs. 

What Can You Do with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. We provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream political science job in no time. 

Advanced Degree Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • University of Missouri Law School
  • Washington University Law School
  • St. Louis University Law School
  • SIU-Carbondale Law School
  • University of Indiana
  • University of Missouri
  • University of Florida

Internship Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Office of the Governor
  • Missouri State Senate
  • Missouri House of Representatives
  • United States District Court, ED Mo
  • Southeast Missouri Food Bank
  • Safe House for Women

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Political Science (BS) Degree Map

Equipped to Lead. Inspired to Go Further.

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Bachelor's Degree in Political Science Salaries & Careers

  • $182k

    Attorney

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for lawyers is $182,760.

  • $48k

    Legislators

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for legislators is $ 48,090.

  • $139k

    Political Scientists

    Philosophy majors often work in government and politics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a political scientist is $139,380.

Turn Ambition into Action

The political science degree curriculum provides knowledge and skills that have immediate practical application, are transferable from one field to another, and are in high demand across a wide variety of careers and professions. Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

36 hour major – minor required

Required Courses:
  • PS001 Senior Assessment (0)
  • PS240 Introduction to Political Science (3)
  • PS471 Senior Seminar in Political Science (3)
Choose 3 hours:
  • PS103 U.S. Political Systems (3)
  • PS104 Comparative Political Systems (3)
Choose 15 hours:
  • 15 hours of political science courses (3 hours in each of the 5 subfields)
Choose 6 hours:
  • 6 additional hours in one specialty subfield
Choose 6 hours:
  • 6 additional hours of political science electives
(9 hours of political science courses must be 300-level or above)
Additional Requirement:
  • MI101 Introduction to Computer Applications (3)
3 hours of statistics:
  • MA223 Elementary Probability and Statistics (3)
  • QM257 Business Analytics I (3)
  • PY271 Psychological Research I (3)
  • PY571 Introduction to Behavioral Statistics (3)
  • SO242 Statistics for Social Scientists (3)
  • SW242 Statistics for Social Scientists (3)
Additional Math Requirement:
  • MAxxx 5 hours MA123 or above (except MA230, 318, 418)

Political Science Subfield Course Choices:

American Government & Politics
  • PS310 Government & Politics in American States (3)
  • PS331 The American Executive (3)
  • PS335 American Foreign Policy (3)
  • PS361 Campaigns & Elections (3)
  • PS362 Political Parties & Interest Groups (3)
  • PS365 Legislative Process (3)
  • PS390 American Judicial System (3)
  • PS490 Constitutional Law (3)
  • UI320 Modern Presidency (3)
Comparative Government & Politics
  • PS343 Women &Politics (3)
  • PS355 Less Developed Nations (3)
  • PS371 Government & Politics of East Asia (3)
  • PS460 Government & Politics of Western Europe (3)
  • UI350 Middle East Politics (3)
  • UI458 Terrorism & Political Violence (3)
International Politics
  • PS280 Introduction to Global Issues (3)
  • PS322 International Political Economy (3)
  • PS335 American Foreign Policy (3)
  • PS380 International Organizations (3)
  • PS580 International Politics (3)
  • PS595 International Law (3)
Public Administration
  • PS230 American Public Policy (3)
  • PS403 Public Personnel Administration (3)
  • PS415 Government Budgeting Process (3)
  • PS425 Administrative Law & Procedure (3)
  • PS502 Fundamentals of Public Administration (3)*
  • PS505 Organizational Theory/Behavior (3)*
  • PS518 Public Policy Analysis (3)*
  • PS545 Research Methods in Public Administration (3)*
Political Theory
  • PS342 Modern Political Thought (3)
  • PS357 Early American Political Thought (3)
  • PS358 Foundations of Political Thought (3)
  • PS359 Contemporary Political Theory (3)
*For students pursuing the accelerated MPA

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

First Year    

Fall Semester (16 Hours)     
  • UI100 (1)
  • EN100 (3)
  • PS103 or PS104 (3) 
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)     
  • MI101 (3)
  • PS240 (3)
  • Additional Math (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Second Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)  
  • American Government (3) 
  • Statistics (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)    
  • Comparative Government (3) 
  • Additional Math (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Third Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)    
  • International Politics (3) 
  • Additional Sub-Field (3)
  • Minor Course (3)
  • Minor Course (3)
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)     
  • Political Theory (3)
  • Additional Sub-Field (3)
  • Minor Course (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Fourth Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)     
  • Public Administration (3) 
  • PS Elective (3)
  • PS Elective (3)
  • Minor Course (3) 
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (14 Hours)  
  • PS001 (0)
  • PS471 (3)
  • Minor Course (3)
  • Minor Course (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (2) 
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What will it cost?

Real-World Opportunities

  • The Capital Building in Jefferson City, Missouri, a SEMO student legislative internship location for political science degree students

    Jefferson City Legislative Internship

    SEMO students are highly sought after by legislators in Missouri’s Capitol for the legislative internship experience. The program, while giving invaluable experience to students, can also lead to a career. Many former interns have gone on to government or campaign employment following their internship experience. 

  • Southeast political science degree students discuss classwork in their Juvenile Justice class in Dempster Hall.

    Preparing for Law School

    A philosophy degree from SEMO provides a strong foundation for pursuit of law school. In addition to the critical thinking, analytical, and argumentative skills learned, SEMO has an impressive tradition for preparing students. 100% of our philosophy and political science students who apply are accepted to law school, including some of the most impressive in the country like Harvard, Washington University, and University of Missouri.  

  • Southeast political science degree students heading to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C

    Center for Strategic & International Studies

    If you hope to put your reasoning skills to work to make the world a better place, SEMO's partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) could be the experience you’ve been looking for. SEMO students are immersed at the global Washington, D.C. think tank for a week of problem solving while working with policy makers to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems like hunger, cybersecurity, and climate change. SEMO is the only university in the country to have a week-long program with the CSIS for its students. 

  • Flowers bloom in spring around A.S.J. Carnahan Hall where many Political Science degree courses are taught.

    Accelerated Mizzou Law Program

    SEMO has an exciting partnership with the University of Missouri School of Law that will save students one year of undergraduate school and tuition to get a head start on their career goals in the legal profession. Students complete their major and general education requirements at SEMO in three years, then enter Mizzou law in their senior year, meaning they can complete their first year of law school while credit hours transfer to SEMO for completion of their bachelor’s degree, meaning you get your undergraduate and law degree in just six years. 

U.S. Congressional Intern, Erika Bone, in front of the White House.

Erika Bone ’20

I want to work in my career field because of the ability to hear people’s concerns and be able to do something about it. I know most people seem to have a negative connotation when it comes to anything political, but I think it should be just the opposite. There are so many different career options within the field that it is more diverse than people realize.

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Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

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Additional Resources

Office of Admissions
Scholarships
Student Organizations & Teams
Department of Political Science, Philosophy, & Religion
College of Humanities & Social Sciences

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Program Details Degree Map

DEGREE TYPE

Bachelor's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

LOCATION

Main Campus - Cape

Regional Campus - Kennett

Regional Campus - Sikeston

DEPARTMENT

Marketing

Political Science, Philosophy & Religion

Contact Us

Location

Office

Carnahan Hall 211

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 2920
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
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