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200,000+
Alumni from our Global Campuses

Analyze how political institutions influence society, culture and economics.

As a political science student at Webster University, majors and minors develop analytical and problem-solving abilities and improve their communication skills. Undergraduates are able to evaluate the international dimensions of politics and put contemporary issues into historical context in order to build persuasive political arguments. Featuring courses in American government, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and foreign policy, the political science undergraduate program allows students to select from several elective options to complete their degrees.

Groups of students working together in a library.

BA in Political Science

Groups of students working together in a library.

In addition to receiving a solid foundation for graduate school, Webster students who study political science go on to exciting careers in government, law, business, education or politics. Political science alumni have gone on to careers such as:

  • Legal partner for Carpenter Moser, LLC
  • Director of St. Louis County Election Board
  • Network Controller for Defense Information Systems Agency
  • Regional Digital Strategist at Stand for Children
  • Associate Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at School of Science at Indiana University, Indianapolis
  • Trade Marketing Representative for British American Tobacco

Being Part of a Global Network Makes a Difference

Webster understands how to deliver the choice, convenience and flexibility you're looking for in a program. We offer a wide variety of programs at locations worldwide, including at our Webster Athens campus.

Program Highlights

  • Because the political science program is housed in a combined department, political science students get exposure to relevant work in history, international relations and human rights.
  • Webster University’s campuses in England, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands provide excellent offerings in history and international relations with recognized scholars in their fields.
  • With a class size of 25 students or fewer, students receive personalized attention from faculty.
  • Classes eschew studying eras for in-depth explorations of specific topics with expert faculty at the helm.
  • Webster’s partnering institutions offer opportunities for practicums and internships at organizations, such as the Missouri General Assembly, World Trade Center St. Louis, and the office of Congressman William Lacy Clay.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Put contemporary political issues in historical context and use historical facts to build arguments about politics.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with the political institutions and processes of the United States.
  • Understand and evaluate the international and transnational dimensions of particular problems and policies.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with several methods and analytical approaches used by political scientists to examine political institutions and processes

The 36 credit hours required for political science majors include:

Core Courses (9 hours)

  • INTL 1500 The World System since 1500 (3 hours)
  • POLT 1060 Introduction to American Politics (3 hours)
  • POLT 2600 Research Methods and Approaches in Political Science (3 hours)
    (INTL 2700 may be substituted)
  • POLT 4000 Research Requirement (0 hours)
    (to be taken in conjunction with a designated 3000-level or 4000-level course within the department)
  • POLT 4620 Overview (0 hours)

Distribution Requirements (9 hours)

3 hours from the following:

  • POLT 2050 Contemporary American Politics (3 hours)
  • POLT 2060 Politics and Gender (3 hours)
  • POLT 2070 Politics of Race and Ethnicity (3 hours)
  • POLT 3310 Conduct of Foreign Policy (3 hours)
  • POLT 3320 American National Institutions (3 hours)
  • POLT 4300 Advanced Studies in American Politics (3-4 hours)

3 hours from the following:

  • POLT 1080 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 hours)
  • POLT 2250 Politics in the Industrialized World (3 hours)
  • POLT 2550 The Politics of the Developing World (3 hours)
  • POLT 3400 Comparative Politics (3 hours)
  • POLT 4400 Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics (3-4 hours)

3 hours from the following:

  • POLT 1050 Introduction to International Relations (3 hours)
  • POLT 4100 Advanced Studies in International Politics (3 hours)
  • INTL 2030 International Law (3 hours)
  • INTL 3100 International Political Economy (3 hours)
  • INTL 3700 International Organizations: Structure and Political Conflict (3 hours)
  • INTL 3800 International Security (3 hours)

Additional Requirements (18 hours)

  • HIST electives (6 hours)
  • POLT or INTL electives (3 hours)
  • Upper-level POLT or INTL electives (6 hours)
  • Upper-level elective in HIST, POLT or INTL (3 hours)

"Political science" includes courses labeled POLT (political science) and those labeled INTL (international relations).

HIST 1800 may not be used to satisfy the 36-credit-hour requirement in political science.

Teacher certification courses (HIST 3800, HIST 3810) may not be used to satisfy the upper-level coursework, methods or practicum requirements.

A maximum of 3 credit hours of individualized learning experiences (INDZ), practicum or debate may be applied to the total upper-level coursework requirement. A maximum of 6 credit hours of INDZ, practicum or debate may be applied to the total of 36 credit hours.

  • A minimum of 3 credit hours in a foreign language is required. Courses used toward the international language requirement may also be used to fulfill global citizenship requirements or a major/minor in a foreign language.
  • Transfer students who have completed their 3 credit hours at an institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled the requirement, as are students who have scored a "3" or higher on an Advanced Placement exam in a non-native language.
  • Students whose native language is not English are exempt from the foreign language requirement.

Earn a Minor in Political Science with a required 18 hours in POLT classes at Webster University. INTL 1500 The World System since 1500 counts toward the 18 credit hours required. Note: Students majoring in history or international relations are not permitted to double-count courses toward their major and minor requirements.

Learn More

Founded in 1915, Webster University is committed to ensuring high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. In 2014, Webster Athens joined our network to bring the best of American education with the only fully owned and controlled (academically and financially) accredited campus of a U.S. university in Greece.

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