POLITICAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS

Shaping future political leaders.

When you think of politics, what comes to mind? Elections? The President? Political parties? Politics is complex. While government is part of politics, it’s not the only aspect. And, becoming a politician is not your only option. As a political science major, you’ll study political theory, comparative politics, public administration, international relations, public law and political methodology. In addition, you’ll also have the option of earning a concentration in one of several subfields of the discipline including international relations, pre-law, applied politics, or environmental studies and politics. Majoring in political science can lead you to a career in law, international diplomacy, teaching, journalism, business, and many other exciting fields.

Fast Facts

  • The Department of Political Science offers programs of study that lead to Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science, Political Science with a concentration in International Relations, and Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law, and that lead to minors in Political Science, International Relations and Diplomacy, and Public Policy

  • Each spring, two dozen political science majors travel to Washington, D.C. to tour the Capitol, visit historic landmarks and museums, and speak with admissions counselors from DC-area graduate and law schools

  • Students can join Pi Sigma Alpha, a political science honor society with more than 700 chapters across the country. During election years, members have been known to organize formal political debates

  • The Mercyhurst Center for Applied Politics has earned a national reputation for the skill and professionalism of our Political Science students, as they collect and analyze political data and provide unbiased assessments of public opinion

  • BADM 310: BUSINESS LAW I (1 credit)
  • CRJS 310: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (3 credits) 

OR 

  • CRJS 322: LEGAL RESEARCH & WRITING (3 credits) 
  • POLI 422: CIVIL LIBERTIES (3 credits) 

Students work with a pre-law advisor to choose an additional three courses. The additional courses must cover some core skill or value listed above, or must be relevant to some topical area dealt with in law school. The philosophy behind the minor is to allow students flexibility in choice, while providing them with relevant and beneficial curriculum choices.

  • An approved law-related internship is highly recommended, and can also be used to fulfill one of the two additional course requirements. 
  • POLI 100: American Government (3 credits) is strongly recommended.
  • No more than two courses in the minor can be used to count for the major and/or core.

B.A. in Political Science

The political science major, which leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree, is designed to provide a sound basis for both graduate studies and professional success in government service, law, teaching, applied politics, journalism, foreign service, and many other fields. In fact, Mercyhurst’s Political Science Department has a long record of producing some of the most accomplished and award-winning students at the university.

The Department of Political Science offers programs of study that lead Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science, Political Science with a concentration in International Relations, and Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law; and that lead to minors in Political Science, International Relations and Diplomacy, and Public Policy. Courses leading to a major and minor are taught by an award winning faculty that is dedicated to undergraduate instruction. This instruction focuses on providing students with an understanding of the content and methods of the discipline, and on developing students’ research, writing, and critical thinking skills. This is accomplished by means of innovative assignments and classroom instruction

The political science major provides students with a number of extracurricular opportunities directly related to the major, and unrivaled access to faculty members who are dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals.

Students who wish to pursue a career in a field related to political science may choose to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation or earn a graduate degree in political science, public administration, public policy, law, or a related field. Since 1993, the placement rate for political science majors at Mercyhurst who apply to graduate or law school is nearly 100%. Graduates of the program who pursue careers not directly related to political science have also found success. Today, graduates of the program are working in the fields of banking, real estate, energy, education, environmental protection, and others. Other students have chosen to pursue service opportunities, such as with AmeriCorps, upon graduation.


Contact Us

Joseph Morris, D.A.
Chair, Department of Political Science
Office: Preston 110
Phone: 814-824-2154
Email: jmorris@mercyhurst.edu