Political Science, B.A.

Saint Louis University's political science major can prepare SLU students for advanced study in various areas: law, public administration, international relations, urban affairs, business and political science. Political scientists study power, politics and various political processes, systems and behaviors. 

The discipline of political science covers many topics, from campaigns and elections in the United States to economic development and democratization worldwide to diplomacy and globalization. Political science majors learn to address big questions, such as what makes a government legitimate or what constitutes a good society. They also come to understand causes and mechanisms for addressing significant global challenges like terrorism, poverty, climate change and war.

Political science students at Saint Louis University pursue jobs in government, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, education, law, journalism, diplomacy, survey research and fields related to promoting social justice.

Program Highlights

• Undergraduates can start taking graduate classes before earning their B.A. in political science and quickly finish an M.A. in political science as part of the accelerated M.A. program.
• The political science program at SLU is distinctive in its commitment to preparing students to become engaged citizens locally and globally. Students grapple with some of the most important social justice problems of the time, from racism and poverty at home to war, persistent underdevelopment and oppression abroad.
• The SLU political science department is big enough to offer a wide range of classes and small enough that students get individual attention from faculty.

Curriculum Overview

Students can study the politics of most areas of the world and global security and economic development issues. They can augment their study of politics with work in various distinctive interdisciplinary programs, including programs devoted to area studies (Asia, Russia and East Europe), global and local social justice, foreign service, political journalism, African American studies, gender studies and more.

Students can choose among five options for their B.A.:

General Major

The general major covers American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political thought and allows students the flexibility to choose classes that reflect their particular interests.

International Affairs Concentration

The international affairs concentration permits students to study economic development, international security and political change worldwide. 

International Relations Concentration (Madrid)

Public Law Concentration

The public law concentration focuses on law and courts and the relationship of both to larger issues of justice, social change and democracy.

Public Policy Concentration

The public policy concentration examines the practical application of knowledge to governance and social problems.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Undergraduate students majoring in political science at SLU may take six credits of electives through internships offered in areas such as political campaigns, foreign service, state and federal government, and overseas fieldwork. These internships permit students to gain professional experience working with elected officials, organizations that serve immigrants or disadvantaged communities, law firms, nonprofit organizations or other groups working toward the public good. Students have interned in St. Louis, Washington, D.C., and many countries worldwide.

Students can participate in faculty research projects or complete an independent honors thesis examining a topic of their choice. 

Careers

Graduates with an undergraduate degree in political science are prepared for jobs in government, international organizations, community and nonprofit organizations, education, law, NGOs, journalism, diplomacy, survey research and fields related to the promotion of social justice.

An undergraduate degree in political science also provides marketable skills in empirical data analysis and practical problem-solving. It is a traditional major for students interested in law school or planning a political career.

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken post-secondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Tuition 

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

1. St. Louis: Students will be able to identify the structure and operation of political systems in the U.S., across a variety of countries, and in multinational organizations. SLU-Madrid: Students will be able to identify and compare political systems in the Western world, international trends at the global level and multinational organizations.
2. Students will be able to distinguish among various approaches to studying political phenomena.
3. Students will be able to read carefully and evaluate and construct analytical arguments in clear and logical prose.
4. Students will be able to analyze how the outcomes of political systems are affected by the structure of institutions.
5. Students will be able to design original research to test arguments and hypotheses with qualitative and/or quantitative approaches.

Political Science students must complete 34-37 credits for the major.

Program Notes 

Political science majors may not count more than six credits of independent study (POLS 4980 Advanced Independent Study (1-6 cr)) and/or internship work toward the major. The two 4000-level seminars and the methods class must be completed at Saint Louis University, not by transfer credit. Only 15 credits of transfer credit can apply toward the political science major. Students may not count more than four 1000 level courses toward the major and must take at least four 3000 or higher level courses.

To give some focus to a major, students are encouraged to take three or four courses in at least one of the four sub-fields or a cross-sub-field area of interest in political science (like social justice, democratization or legal studies). Students should consult with department faculty advisors in selecting courses.

No one class can fulfill more than one requirement in the major.

Research Project Option

As an alternative to one of the 4000-level seminars, students having a grade-point average of 3.30 or better may, with department chair approval, take POLS 4960 Senior Research (3 cr), an individual research project under the supervision of a political science faculty member.

Honors Thesis Option

The political science honors thesis option is for qualified and highly motivated students. These students need to inform the coordinator of undergraduate studies of their interest by the spring of their junior year if they want to write the thesis during their senior year or by the fall of the junior year if they want to start a semester earlier.

Students doing an honors thesis must have a political science GPA of 3.50 and an overall GPA of 3.40. This program involves a full year, two-course sequence: POLS 4990 Research Design (3 cr) and POLS 4991 Political Science Honors Thesis (1-6 cr) . Students doing honors theses will have a 37-credit major. POLS 4990 Research Design (3 cr) fulfills one 4000-level seminar requirement.

Internships

The political science department encourages majors to take political science internships as part of their degree programs. These provide excellent practical experience that potential employers appreciate. Internships often help majors select a future career. Students select internships in consultation with their mentors.  The department offers a variety of internships, which may satisfy up to six credits of electives. Students may contact the coordinator of undergraduate studies for more information.

International Affairs Concentration

International Relations Concentration (Madrid)

Public Law Concentration

Public Policy Concentration 

Continuation Standards

Students in the political science major must maintain a 2.00 GPA in political science coursework.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
• Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
• Complete major requirements: minimum of 30 credits required.
• Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
• Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s), and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate or related elective credits.
• Complete department- and program-specific academic and performance requirements.
• Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study-abroad program.
• Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.

Comparative Politics Attributed Courses

International Relations Attributed Courses 

*

Required when international affairs is the student's concentration.

International Affairs Seminar Attributed Courses

Political Thought Attributed Courses

Policy Elective Attributed Courses

Policy Foundation Attributed Courses

Policy Seminar Attributed Courses

Public Law Elective Attributed Courses

Public Law Seminar Attributed Courses

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

General Major

International Affairs Concentration

Public Law Concentration

Public Policy Concentration

Political Science (SLU-Madrid)

¹

The number of courses required may vary depending on minor

²

Prerequisite: MATH 1200 College Algebra (0,3 cr).

Students can complete the international relations track of the political science program at SLU-Madrid.

Learn More

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution. 

Political Science, B.A. (STLCC 2+SLU)