College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Political Science
www.kent.edu/polisci

About This Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science offers a broad understanding of the political system, both domestically and internationally. With a flexible curriculum, knowledgeable faculty and experiential learning opportunities, you will be equipped with the skills needed for a wide range of careers in the field. Read more...

Contact Information

• Mike Ensley | mensley@kent.edu |
  330-672-8933
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students who choose POL 10100 will need to take 3 credit hours of Kent Core Additional. Students who do not choose POL 10100 will need to take 6 credit hours of Kent Core Additional.

American Politics Concentration Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

General Concentration Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned in one to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

International Relations - Comparative Politics Concentration Requirements

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A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Public Policy Concentration Requirements

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A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Graduation Requirements

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 14-16 credit hours of foreign language.¹
To complete the requirement, students need the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options²:

1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
2. Elementary I and II of a second language
3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:

• Intermediate I of the same language
• ARAB 21401
• ASL 19401
• CHIN 25421
• MCLS 10001
• MCLS 20001
• MCLS 20091
• MCLS 21417
• MCLS 21420
• MCLS 22217
• MCLS 28403
• MCLS 28404

¹

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and fewer courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

²

Certain majors, concentrations and minors may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular language coursework.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis skills.
2. Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills.
3. Demonstrate advanced understanding of national and international issues and political systems.
4. Demonstrate multicultural literacy.
5. Demonstrate competence with quantitative statistical and qualitative analysis tools.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science empowers students to be engaged global citizens and informed consumers of information who are competitive in a range of careers. Graduates work in the public and private sectors across the United States and around the globe. Many also go on to graduate programs or to law school.

Students in the major are provided internship and study abroad opportunities, including two semester-long, 15-credit hour internship programs, one in Washington, D.C., and one in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, the Department of Political Science offers study-abroad courses in multiple countries during the summer, and students often also take advantage of Kent State programs in Florence, Italy, and Geneva, Switzerland. More information can be found on the Department of Political Science website.

The Political Science major comprises the following concentrations:

• The American Politics concentration investigates the political context of life in the United States in courses on public opinion, elections and the media, as well as Congress, the presidency and the courts.
• The International Relations-Comparative Politics concentration focuses on international policy and politics, including aid and development, energy and oil, human rights and regions of the world (e.g., Latin America, Middle East, Russia).
• The General concentration allows students to design their own specialization rather than choosing a specific area to concentrate.
• The Public Policy concentration explores how governments address major policy questions such as health care, environmental protection and foreign policy. Courses introduce students not only to policy questions and implications, but also to the skills involved in policy analysis.