Bachelor of Political Science at Fordham University

    Bachelor of Political Science at Fordham University

    Bachelor of Political Science at Fordham University

    Fordham University offers the Bachelor of Political Science as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses in Manhattan , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 4 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for political science and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 30, 2027.

    About Bachelor of Political Science

    What is justice? Why do nations go to war? Why do people vote? As a political science major at Fordham, you'll study how societies make collective decisions through politics and government. From Aristotle to Spinoza, the U.S. to China, you'll explore both political theory and practice from a diversity of perspectives.

    You will study one of four concentrations__American politics, comparative politics, international politics, or political theory__with faculty who are active, award-winning scholars in the field of political science. We prepare you to think independently, tolerate a diversity of viewpoints, engage with current political affairs (both at home and abroad), and critically analyze the relationship between personal values and public life.

    You'll also hone your skills in writing, communication, and analytical thought.

    These are all core components of a Jesuit liberal arts education at Fordham.

    But you'll learn more than political science here. You'll also study philosophy, literature, theology, art, history, mathematics, languages, sciences, and the performing arts through Fordham's common core curriculum, the centerpiece of our liberal arts education.

    We want you to excel in your field__and as a human being.

    As a political science major, you take 10 classes. There are four subfields to choose from:

    • American Politics
    • Comparative Politics
    • International Politics
    • Political Theory

    Internships

    The political science department has formal arrangements for semester-long internship experiences off campus:

    • Internship in New York State Legislature
    • Washington (D.C.) Semester Program, in affiliation with American University

    We also help you identify and compete successfully for internships across the city and our majors have landed rewarding placements at dozens of institutions and organizations.

    Fordham's Career Services offers Handshake, database of thousands of job and internship opportunities exclusively for Fordham students.

    Events

    Every semester, we offer a range of programs and activities, including:

    • Faculty Brown Bag Series
    • Undergraduate Brown Bag Series
    • Forum on American Politics
    • Pizza and Politics Series

    Some recent events include:

    • Lessons and Impact of Ebola Outbreak Examined
    • Forum on American Politics, Professor Sean Theriault, University of Texas, Austin, “The Gingrich Senators and Party Polarization in the U.S. Senate”
    • Forum on American Politics, Thomas Craemer (University of Connecticut), “Measuring Implicit Racial Attitudes: the Case of Slavery Reparations”
    • Former Child Soldier Urges Students to Cherish Education
    • Putin is Using Religion to Sustain War in Ukraine

    Pi Sigma Alpha

    We host the Delta Zeta chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. Our faculty members select high-achieving juniors and seniors for induction into this honor society, and we sponsor annual programming related to it.

    Study Abroad

    Study abroad enriches you academically, culturally, and personally. There is a world of possibilities available through Fordham's International and Study Abroad Program.

    American Politics

    City Politics
    Civil Rights and Liberties
    Religion and American Politics
    Voting Behavior and Elections

    Comparative Politics

    Islamic Political Thought
    Liberalism and Its Critics
    Modern Political Thought
    Political Ideologies

    A degree in political science prepares you for several career options. Many choose to go on to law school, a traditional career path for political science majors. Others find careers in:

    • Government agencies
    • News organizations
    • Private sector

    Get a job, right? Yes, but you want more: a career. Our career services tap Fordham's ties with more than 2,600 companies. We offer:

    • Post-graduation career search
    • Resume development, Interviewing practice
    • Networking skill development
    • Hands-on case-study sessions with industry executives
    • Field-specific advising/coaching

    You also get access to our powerful (and Fordham-loyal) alumni network, who want to see you succeed as they have.

    Disciplines

    Social Sciences

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Political Science at Fordham University

    Entry Requirements

    • Common Application, including the essay and optional short answer response in the writing section, and the $70 application fee. 
    • Letter of Recommendation
    • Transcripts
    • English Language Proficiency Test Results
      • International students whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency through English Language Proficiency test results.
        • TOEFL iBT: 90+ (Fordham code: 2259)
        • TOEFL ITP Level 1 Test with Vericant Interview option (China only): 575+
        • IELTS & IELTS Indicator: 7.0+
        • Duolingo English Test (DET): 125+
        • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 65+
      • International students who are not submitting required TOEFL, IELTS, DET or PTE results must complete the English Language Proficiency Test Waiver Request Form linked within the online applicant portal after an application has been officially submitted.
      • Applicants who live in the New York City area can alternatively take Fordham’s ESL placement evaluation (FELT) at the Institute of American Language and Culture. Email [email protected] or call +1-212-636-6353 to make an appointment.
    • Fordham University Statement of Funding or CSS Profile 
      • Fordham University has a need-aware admission process for first-year applicants who plan to attend Fordham for the Fall term on a non-immigrant visa.
      • Applicants who plan to fully fund their study at Fordham are required to complete the Fordham University Statement of Funding. This form will be available to eligible applicants upon submission of the application.
      • Applicants who plan to partially fund their study at Fordham and will apply for need-based financial aid are required to complete the CSS Profile and demonstrate an ability to pay (Expected Family Contribution) at least $30,000 USD per year.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 65
    • IELTSMin 7
    • TOEFLMin 90

    Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Political Science at Fordham University

    Application Fee 70

    How to Apply for Bachelor of Political Science at Fordham University

    Required Components:

    • The Common Application, including an essay 
    • High school transcript
    • Letter of recommendation

    Optional Components:

    • SAT or ACT scores (SAT code: 2259; ACT code: 2748). We are test-optional for the 2023-2024 admission cycle. Please review our additional guidance on test score submission.
    • Optional short responses
      • Additional information
      • COVID-19 impact
      • Unique Fordham question

    Selecting a College and a Campus

    • Students must select a campus when they apply to Fordham, either Rose Hill in the Bronx or Lincoln Center in Manhattan. 
    • Students must also select a college when they apply to Fordham, either Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center or the Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.
    • Students are only evaluated for the campus and college to which they apply. 

    We’re here to help!

    • Make sure to check out what we're looking for in our applicants.
    • Requirements for international, transfer, as well as theatre, dance, and visual arts majors differ--so we have some helpful guidelines on these pages.
    • Due to our large applicant pool, we are unable to accommodate requests for personal interviews.

    Application Deadlines

    Note on application deadlines: For Fordham University, we would like your application to be as complete as possible by the deadline. We do understand that it is not always possible for official scores and supporting documents to arrive with the application. Only the Common Application needs to arrive on or before the deadline. However, we should receive any other supporting documents within two weeks of the deadline.

    Fall Admission

    • Early Action (Non-Binding)*: November 1
      • *Applicants to Dance and Theatre majors apply Early Action.
    • Early Decision I (Binding): November 1
    • Regular Decision: January 3
    • Early Decision II (Binding): January 3

    Spring Admission

    • November 1 Deadline
      • Students who are looking to enroll at Fordham in January 2024 should apply as Spring 2024 applicants.

    Information About Application Fee Waivers
    Our institution proudly participates in the following fee waiver programs:

    • College Board’s SAT-to-College Application Fee-Waiver Program. If you took the SAT using a fee waiver, you automatically qualify for a college application fee waiver to apply for admission here at Fordham University. You can learn more about this program at College Board.
    • Students can also select the "NACAC Fee Waiver" option on the Common Application.
    • We are pleased to offer waived application fees for members and dependents of members of the US Armed Forces. If you indicate you are a veteran on the Common Application, we will automatically waive your fee.
    • You’ll find a range of other fee waiver options on the Common Application. Please select the one that fits you best.

    Am I a first-year student or a transfer student?
    Any student who earns college credit after completing a secondary school diploma is considered a transfer student, regardless of the number of credits completed. Both matriculated and non-matriculated students who earn credit will be considered a transfer. If you have audited a class or completed noncredit coursework, then you may be considered an incoming first-year student. Typically, students who complete language intensive classes, who do not earn credit, are considered incoming first-year students.

    Students who begin their studies at a college or university and withdraw prior to earning credit must contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission via email at [email protected] to confirm their status. In order to be considered as a first-year, a student must withdraw prior to the add/drop date at the institution they attended and provide official documentation (college transcript, withdrawal form) indicating the date of their withdrawal. In addition, to be considered a first year, the student must not have had any financial aid disbursed from the federal government while at the college or university that he or she attended.

    The Office of Undergraduate Admission will exercise professional judgment and consider each student’s circumstances to ensure that, regardless of status (first year or transfer), the best interest of the student’s needs are met related to enrollment.

    Note: Fordham University (its undergraduate colleges, graduate and professional schools) is an eligible institution of higher education that admits as students only persons who (i) have a high school diploma (ii) have a recognized equivalent.

    Bachelor of Political Science at Fordham University
    Fordham University
    Fordham University
    United States of America

    United States of America, Manhattan

    WhatsApp student consultation with YouApply