The political science major will prepare you for the challenges of life and a career in a world that is increasingly globalized, where the application of biotechnology and biomedicine have become common, and where social computing shapes and influences democratic government and the wider community.
Political Science Major
The political science bachelor of science consists of core courses designed to introduce students to the general themes of political science. The major culminates in a capstone course, which ties together the themes of the program through a seminar and significant writing project.
Political Science BS Tracks
Students are required to choose one track.
- Politics and life sciences: An in-depth study on the political impact of modern biology and biotechnology, and their influence on how we understand ourselves as human beings and citizens. There are few undergraduate political science majors in the country that so fully incorporate both these fields into their curricula, including the opportunity to take courses from the biology and information technology departments as part of their program requirements.
- Digital politics and organization: The development and implementation of technologies that increasingly influence political organization and communication.
- Political institutions: Study the changing role of political institutions in our globalized world.
Political Science Major Electives
Students are required to take seven political science electives from the department's American politics and international relations/comparative government offerings, with a minimum of three courses from each area. The areas are (1) statecraft, emerging democracies, and global governance and (2) deliberative democracy and national government. This requirement recognizes the increasing interdependence of domestic and international politics in this era of globalization.
Double Majors
Double majors are a way to customize your education to best reflect your interests, career goals, and your marketability after you graduate. Students may pursue a double major in political science and a secondary area of study in diverse fields such as computer science, criminal justice, economics, or philosophy.
Advising
Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who assists with course registration, scheduling, course selection, academic concerns, and career counseling. For more information, please refer to the college's academic advising page.
RIT's Pre-Law Program
Law schools welcome applications from students majoring in a wide range of academic programs. RIT's pre-law program will help you navigate the admission process for law school, explore a range of legal careers, and guide you through course selection to ensure you build the skills and competencies required of competitive law school applicants. The program is open to students in all majors who are interested in pursuing a career in law.
RIT/Syracuse University College of Law 3+3 Option
RIT has partnered with Syracuse University's College of Law to offer an accelerated 3+3 BS/JD option for highly capable students. This option provides a fast-track pathway to law school in which students earn a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctorate degree in six years. In the 3+3 option, students may apply to the option directly. Successful applicants are offered admission to RIT and given conditional acceptance into Syracuse University's College of Law.
RIT's political science degree is one of the approved majors for the 3+3 option. Learn more about the RIT/Syracuse University College of Law 3+3 Option, including admission requirements and frequently asked questions.
Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees
Today's careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT's Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.
+1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor's degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.