Political Science Degree

Program type:

Major

Format:

On Campus

Est. time to complete:

4 years

Credit Hours:

120

Develop the perspectives and scientific skills you need to understand the world — and change it for the better.

UNT's Bachelor of Arts in Political Science combines cutting-edge research with award-winning teaching to ensure your academic and career goals are met. Our courses provide a deep understanding of relevant issues in local, national and international governments. The faculty of the Department of Political Science at the University of North Texas have an outstanding reputation for scholarly research and teaching in a highly-ranked department.

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Why Earn a Political Science Degree?

UNT’s undergraduate program offers students the opportunity to specialize in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Political Theory. The department also has strengths in areas that bridge traditional subfield boundaries, such as Peace and Conflict, Political Institutions, and Race and Ethnic Politics. Exceptional students may also apply to complete a master's degree in Political Science while an undergraduate student.

You may choose courses in American politics, public law, political theory, public policy, government and politics around the world, and international relations. You'll also take one required course in political research methods. Several electives help you learn advanced research techniques, making you more competitive in the job market. We also oversee a study abroad program at The Hague, Netherlands where you can live in an international hub for justice and law.

Our faculty members are among the most active researchers in the field, and many are considered experts in their focus area. They've written books and articles for respected publications and received numerous grants to study:

Conflict and security research
Data visualization and text-mining
Democracy and elections in foreign countries
International human rights
Legislative behavior
Political parties and campaigning
Presidential use of force

Marketable Skills

Oral and written communication
Critical thinking
Creative thinking
Teamwork
Leadership abilities

Political Science Degree Highlights

UNT's Moot Court — a simulation of an appellate court's proceedings —provides experience in legal research, brief writing and oral argument. UNT has one of the state's top Moot Court programs.

We offer a five-year B.A./Master’s grad track program for highly motivated Political Science majors that allows you to take graduate level courses during your senior year and earn and M.A. in five years.

The Department of Political Science also oversees the Peace Studies program and the Castleberry Peace Institute. Our Peace Studies program is the only one of its kind at a four-year university in the Southwest, and the Castleberry Peace Institute houses the region's only peace studies research center.

You can meet other students who share your interest by joining one of UNT's politically affiliated student groups, the Pi Sigma Alpha national political science honor society or the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity.

Our political science alumni include attorneys in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, two former assistant attorney generals of Texas, federal and state judges, and state, county and local legislators.

The Department of Political Science provides opportunities to supplement your learning with real world experience, including research assistantships, department sponsored internships and research presentations at conferences.

What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?

A Political Science degree teaches you the analytical skills that will open the door to jobs in public, non-profit, and private organizations. Many political science majors pursue careers in:

Politics
Federal, state, and local government
Law
Teaching

Political Science Degree Courses You Could Take

Explores varying aspects of the U.S. Supreme Court, including how the Supreme Court selects and decides cases, how justices are appointed to the Supreme Court, how the Supreme Court interacts with other branches of government and interest groups, and how decisions are implemented.

Examines theoretical approaches to understanding and integrating gender, race, and immigration in economics and their political impact. Additionally, examines capitalist development in the context of race, gender, and immigration both historically and in the modern political era on the national, state, and local level.

A reading of authors from ancient to the modern world who have examined ethical issues as they relate to international politics. Consideration of ethical positions such as amoral realism, legal positivism, human rights, critiques of human rights, just war theories and Islamic approaches to international ethics. Topics may include the nature of law and morality as well as policy issues such as the use of force against terrorists.

Federal system; constitutional and theoretical bases of federalism; national/state/local government conflict and cooperation; regional arrangements; political centralization; impact upon American traditions; future prospects.

Causes and consequences of revolution and other forms of political violence in nation.

Legislative behavior, representation, selection of legislators, organization and procedures; relationships to other branches of government.