Kent State University Catalog 2010 - 2011

Political Science - B.A.

COLLEGE:	College of Arts and Sciences
DEPARTMENT:	Department of Political Science 302 Bowman Hall Tel: 330-672-2060 Fax: 330-672-3362 Web: http://www.kent.edu/cas/PoliSci/index.cfm

Resources:

DESCRIPTION:	The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science consists of four concentrations: American Politics, International Relations-Comparative Politics, General, Public Policy. American Politics provides a broad grounding in the general field of political science (domestic and global politics and policy, as well as theory and methods) while focusing on the specific topics of U.S. political processes, behaviors, institutions and policies. This concentration is a likely option for pre-law students, for those seeking entry-level positions in government, for those interested in pursuing graduate coursework in American politics, and for those generally interested in studying how politics works in the United States. International Relations–Comparative Politics provides a broad grounding in the general field of political science while focusing on questions of governing the global political economy. Topics include governmental functions (e.g., holding elections, legislating, justice) and how they are performed across diverse nations; and how diverse nations are united under common global governing mechanisms, such as the United Nations. This concentration is a likely option for those seeking entry-level positions in government, as well as for those interested in pursuing graduate coursework in this field. General provides a broad grounding in the general field of political science (domestic and global politics and policy, as well as theory and methods) while permitting students to take advanced coursework in the field without concentrating in any specific area. This concentration is a likely option for those seeking entry-level positions in government as well as those interested in pursuing graduate coursework in an undetermined subfield. Public Policy provides a broad grounding in the general field of political science while focusing attention on how actors in the public sector (i.e., governmental or quasi-governmental employees) satisfy individual preferences and provide collective solutions to public problems. The concentration is a likely option for students seeking entry-level positions in government, as well as for those interested in pursuing the Master of Public Administration, which generally leads to a career in managing public agencies.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:	Many political science majors go on to careers in business; undergraduate political science training offers a good preparation for graduate programs in business. Students who have focused on international relations or country/area studies may find opportunities in international business and trade. While careers in public affairs can be pursued with a bachelor’s degree in political science, there are graduate programs that offer specialized professional training for careers in public affairs and public service. There are also programs in public administration, public policy and political campaign management. Such programs provide training for public for management positions in governmental agencies, professional and interest groups organizations, the governmental relations divisions of corporations, for-profit consulting and marketing agencies and the expanding sectors of NGOs. If you are considering a career in public service, one area to explore is the rapidly expanding employment sector of non-profit/non-governmental organizations and associations. There are NGOs at all levels of government and geographical areas from the local to the global arena. Moreover, there are NGOs for virtually all public issues and policy areas, from neighborhood housing and environmental renewal to food banks and youth development to national policy areas such as health education, civil rights and criminal justice to global issues areas or economic and democratic development, human rights, trade and the environment. If you are interested in a career in print or broadcast journalism, a political science major can give you the expertise you need substantively and analytically. Typically political science courses palace heavy emphasis on developing fluid and clear writing and speaking skills. Journalism can be entered with a bachelor’s degree or after completing a graduate program in journalism. (Source: American Political Science Association) Formal requirements to become a lawyer usually include a 4-year college degree, 3 years of law school, and passing a written bar examination; however, some requirements may vary by State. Lawyers held about 759,200 jobs in 2008. Approximately 26 percent of lawyers were self-employed, practicing either as partners in law firms or in solo practices. Most salaried lawyers held positions in government, in law firms or other corporations, or in nonprofit organizations. Most government-employed lawyers worked at the local level. In the Federal Government, lawyers worked for many different agencies, but were concentrated in the Departments of Justice, Treasury, and Defense. Many salaried lawyers working outside of government were employed as house counsel by public utilities, banks, insurance companies, real-estate agencies, manufacturing firms, and other business firms and nonprofit organizations. Some also had part-time independent practices, while others worked part time as lawyers and full time in another occupation. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:	General Admissions for New Freshman: Students most likely to be admitted and succeed at the Kent Campus are those who have graduated with at least 16 units of the recommended college preparatory curriculum in high school, who have achieved a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), and whose composite ACT score is 21 or better (980 combined critical reading and math SAT score). For more information on admissions, visit the Admissions website for new freshmen. General Admissions for Transfer Students: Generally, a transfer applicant who has taken 12 or more semester hours with a college cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted. An applicant who has taken fewer than 12 semester hours will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records. For more information on admissions, visit the Admissions website for transfer students.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:	Minimum 121 total credit hours and 42 upper-division hours for graduation. Minimum 2.00 GPA overall and 2.00 GPA in major required for graduation.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:	Yes
STUDY ABROAD/AWAY OPPORTUNITIES:	Washington Program in National Issues Columbus Program in Intergovernmental Issues
PROGRAM FEE:	None
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS:	Political Science Club; Pi Sigma Alpha; Phi Alpha Delta
GRADUATE PROGRAMS:	M.A. in Political Science Ph.D. in Public Policy: American Politics and Policy, Justice Politics and Policy, Policy Administration and Analysis, Transnational and Comparative Politics and Policy Master in Business Administration M.A. in Communication Studies M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication