Bachelor's in Political Science

Engage your collective power to pursue the common good

Interested? Request more information

Credit hours: 120

Full-time, part-time

On-Campus or Online

BA available fully online

BA to MS tracks available

Study abroad opportunities

Start terms: fall, spring, summer

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Information for Current Students

Political science gives you the power to answer fundamental questions that go to the heart of the human experience while encouraging independent thought, respect, and interest in current affairs.

You’ll study critical issues such as war and peace, social justice, international affairs, environmental challenges, poverty and racism, and the struggles of oppressed peoples. With a degree in political science, you'll be prepared to become a leader in your community as legislative aids, policy advisors, campaign managers, nonprofit leaders, educators, public relations specialists, consultants, lobbyists, or go on to pre-law.

Meet your moment and join nationally known programs in indigenous politics, international human rights, and inner-city community development. You’ll explore timely and hot-button issues at home with local and state politics or go further to have an international impact with our popular Middle Eastern Studies and study abroad programs in Germany, China, and South Korea.

You’ll find ample opportunity to explore innovative community engagement programs while receiving real-world, hands-on experience in a variety of professional and community settings. Our small class sizes connect you with high-quality mentorship from exceptional faculty who prepare you for informed and creative activism. With these newfound opportunities, you’ll make an impact that can change power structures and pursue the common good.

Make Connections

Forming connections within the Political Science Department is important for your academic and professional development. Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Honor Society for Political Science, and provides a great deal of professional development opportunities for students. Connections formed in Pi Sigma Alpha extend beyond the classroom, allowing for cooperation and networking with classmates, teachers, and advisors.

Learn more about Pi Sigma Alpha

Studying political science offers a thorough understanding of governmental structures, political leadership, and public policy. It helps you develop critical thinking abilities required to analyze complicated political situations and understand motivation behind political decisions and actions.

Political science is about curiosity. We explore what we don't know about political institutions and ideologies, and challenge our thinking to develop broader perspectives. You'll learn how to use scientific methods to investigate political events, allowing you to add new insights and perspectives to the field.

The Political Science Department creates diversity and invites students from various backgrounds to attend and study in our program. We recognize the importance of differing view points, and the value of engaging in dialogue when view points differ. This dialogue generates well-rounded students able to address the interests and concerns of many communities.

Our undergraduate advisor, Karen Breslin, is available to help students navigate their academic and career options in the subjects of political science. Whether you're looking for advice on course options, internship possibilities, or graduate school preparation, our advisor is here to help you on your journey at CU Denver.

Careers

Alumni Highlight

Elizabeth Lo, 2015 served as a legislative aide to Senator John Cooke. She continued to pursue a career in public policy, and worked in various roles in the Senate where she worked with legislators to develop policy agendas and draft legislation. “If not for the political science department, I likely would not have gotten my foot in the door at the Senate, and thus would not have been afforded the chance at the rewarding career I have,” said Lo.

Many of our graduates are community organizers, attorneys or public servants in local, state or federal government but a degree in political science opens doors across many career fields.

Political Science supports careers such as

Lawyer
Journalist
Political Scientist
Foreign Service officer
Policy Analyst
Legislator
Public Relations Specialist
Lobbyist
Social Media Manager
Educator

Previous Political Science graduates have joined

Peace Corps
U.S Department of State
Women's Global Empowerment Fund
City & County of Denver
Colorado Senate
Colorado House of Representatives
Colorado General Assembly
Brownstein Hyatt Färber Schreck's State Government Relations Group
Colorado Department of Law
United Nations High Commission for Refugees

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science gives you an extensive background in all subfields of Political Science, including comparative politics, American politics, international relations, and political theory, with a special emphasis on experiential learning.

Majoring in Political Science: 39 hours

CU at the Capitol

CU at the Capitol is a course providing students the opportunity to serve as legislative aides in the Colorado General Assembly where they will network with political leaders and participate in lunchtime discussions with other legislative aides.

Learn about the CU at the Capitol course

Earning a BA in Political Science will provide you a great deal of professional choise in career upon graduation. With related occupations (political scientists, public relations specialists, compliance officers) growing between 6 and 18% from 2018-2022, our program will set you up for success. Many courses are offered online.

Course topics include:

Human Rights
Legal Studies
Gender Politics
Race and Ethnic Politics
Middle East Politics
International Relations
American Politics
Urban Politics
European Politics

Electives and/or foreign language proficiency

Foreign language courses may be satisfied if you’ve taken a certain number of classes in high school. These electives give you the freedom to dive deeper into topics or courses that interest you.

CU Denver Core: 34-40 Hours

You’ll be educated in

English and mathematics
international and cultural diversity perspectives
arts and humanities
behavioral, physical, and social sciences

College of Liberal Arts and Science Core—15 Hours

These courses give you a better understanding of the issues and skills you need to succeed.

Topics include:

Logic, Language, and Scientific Reasoning
Psychology
Writing for the Sciences
Public Health

Non-Political Science majors can add a minor in Political Science to your degree by completing at least 15 hours of specified coursework. You will need to see your CLAS advisor to declare this minor.

Topics include:

Gender and Politics
Media and Politics
Political Economy
International Relations
Global Governance
Public Administration

Double Majors

You, like many of our students, may be interested in a double major. Common combinations include:

International Studies
Communications
History

Add a master's in Political Science to your bachelor's degree in as little as one extra year.

Save time and tuition while expanding your career opportunities by enrolling in the “4+1” Dual BA/MA Degree Plan.

Benefits include

More career opportunities. Some career paths require that job candidates hold advanced degrees. Completing the “4+1” Dual BA/MA Degree Plan allows you to apply for higher level positions more quickly, providing an advantage in a competitive job market.

Saves time. Combining the Bachelors and master's programs allow you to complete your undergraduate and graduate studies quickly, typically within five years instead of six or more.

Cost. A shorter timeline to a Master of Political Science completion means less tuition, fees, and related educational expenses.

Faculty. Combining the BS and MS degrees allows you to continue to take courses at the graduate level from the same familiar, award-winning, and caring faculty members.

Learn more about the CU Denver “4+1” Dual BA/MA Degree Plan

In their introductory classes, and continuing at successively higher levels across their departmental studies, Political Science students will consistently improve their:

Knowledge of the role of political action and political systems in shaping human cultures and socio-economic patterns, including:

Knowledge of the American Political System
Knowledge of political systems across history and world region
Knowledge of theoretical foundations of political systems and political values
Ability to compare political systems in their differing abilities to deliver public welfare
Knowledge of the processes, institutions and actors involved in globalization

Intellectual and Practical Skills, including:

Inquiry and analysis
Creative thinking
Written communication
Oral communication
Reading Ability
Quantitative literacy
Information literacy
Teamwork
Problem solving

Personal and Social Responsibility, including:

Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global Intercultural knowledge and competence Ethical reasoning and action Foundations and skills for lifelong learning

Integrative/Holistic and Applied Learning, including:

Completion of department course work across a range of political science subfields
Application of insights from other programs of study to enhance their political understanding and practical skills

Tuition

The cost of tuition for the Bachelor of Science (BA) in Political Science is different for in-state and out-of-state students. See the link for the current table of rates.

Residents of Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states may qualify for reduced tuition rates. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program requires students to maintain current residency in WICHE state until degree completion.

Learn about the WUE program

Scholarships

Each year, CU Denver undergraduate students are awarded over $30 million in scholarships from institutional, local, state, and national sources. Learn more, and apply here.

Other opportunities

Many departments have paid positions (both in the work-study program and outside of it) which may include jobs as graders, teaching assistants, and learning assistants. Please expect to have to apply. Learn more here.

Admission Requirements

If you are an incoming freshman to CU Denver (in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants), you can apply through either the Common Application or the Milo Application. Transfer students will need to submit the Milo Application.

Incoming first-year students

CU Denver requires that students complete the Colorado Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR). You will not have to meet all Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) for admission, but you will need to complete CU Denver coursework by graduation.

Transfer Students

We have strong connections with other four-year and community colleges. If you have completed more than 24 hours of transferable coursework, you will be evaluated for admission on the basis of your college GPA without regard to your high school performance. If you have fewer than 24 hours, you will be evaluated based on both your high school and college GPAs. For more information and to plan your transfer, see transfer admissions in the admissions office.

Bridge to Bachelors

If you are in your first or second semester at one of the participating Colorado community colleges and plan to transfer to CU Denver after earning your associate degree, CU Denver’s Admission Promise might be a great program for you. To qualify, you must meet the criteria including meeting regularly with your assigned CU academic advisor while you are attending community college. See the promise page for details and the link to the eligibility questionnaire.

International Students

You will need to begin your application through the Office of International Affairs. They will help you manage your application process.

Apply to CU Denver

Application deadlines

Spring

Domestic Application: January 1
International Applications: Priority is September 15, and Final is October 15

Summer

Domestic Applications: May 15
International Applications: Priority is January 15, and Final is March 15

Fall

Domestic Applications: August 1
International Applications: Priority is March 15, and Final is May 15

Political Science department in the news

Alum Donalyn White Receives Prestigious CU GOLD Award

We are extremely excited to announce that Donalyn White, an alum of both Political Science and English, is the 2024 recipient and will be featured at a ceremony this May! The GOLD award (Graduate of the Last Decade) recognizes graduates of the last ten years for their accomplishments in their career, service, and/or volunteer efforts that have brought honor to individuals and CU Denver.

Kristin Roy: Shaping Politics from Colorado to DC

Current Denverite, Kristin Roy reflects on her time as a CU Denver PSCI student and a prior political staffer, which included a tenure at the White House and work on political campaigns, all of which shaped her academic goals.

From PSCI Student to Legislative Aid

When asked to reflect on her time at CU Denver, Kezia McDonald-McNeal mentions her move from UNC as being beneficial. "Before attending CU Denver, I was at UNC and experienced some racism on campus, so I chose CU Denver because I felt it was more diverse and closer to home," Kezia explains her decision to attend the university. She initially pursued nursing but discovered her true passion in Political Science after dabbling in paging. "I felt it was a better fit for me".

Breaking Barriers: The Journey of Ali Alnazzal from Refugee to Grad Student \

Ali Al Nazzal is one of the CU Denver PSCI Department's most accomplished and dedicated students! He currently serves as a TA in the department and is a published author in the Spring 2024 edition of PRAXIS Student Journal. We are extremely proud of Ali's accomplishments and are excited to present his story in this own words.

Hazzel Chavira: McNair Scholar, Researcher and Equality Advocate

Hazzel Chavira, a first-Generation Latina, candidly discusses her educational journey as a political science major. Her college experience was a turning point, allowing her not only to seek answers to problems but also to tackle the stigma associated with political participation in racial and ethnic communities.

Alumna Krista Kafer takes action in Supreme Court hearing

Krista Kafer, an active Republican participant in Colorado politics, found herself at an important point while deciding whether to join a lawsuit seeking to remove Donald Trump from the state's ballot on constitutional grounds. Reflecting on her choice to join the case, Kafer was inspired by Aesop's fable about "belling the cat", which emphasizes the importance of taking action when one believes in a cause.

Inclusion is our value

CU Denver is home to one of the most diverse student populations in Colorado.

Join your choice of 100+ student groups and organizations which support your identity and interests
Your department and faculty are committed to the pursuit of equity and inclusion in the classroom, lab, and beyond
Learn more at our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Find your people

Campus can feel like a huge place. We help you find your people by offering the experience of a more traditional, small liberal arts program—for a fraction of the cost. We offer a variety of clubs and networking opportunities.

See Your Future

Learning to think critically about my own political assumptions and receiving support for political and civic engagement forever enriched my life.

—Stephen Polk
Assistant Professor, Naropa, 2008

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