Political Science

Major Requirements: The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science requires 45 hours of major courses, which include a combination of different political studies classes. In addition, students choose two of the following tracks: American Politics, Applied Politics, International Politics or Pre-Law.

Electives: Students complete 6 hours of Political Studies electives and 21 hours of elective courses in any area of study they choose. 

General Education Requirements: The degree requires 54 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.

View and download the full degree plan for our Political Science major (PDF).

A few examples of courses students in this major take:             

• Politics and the Media – explore how public officials, political campaigns, and interest groups attempt to influence media coverage.
• Civil Rights and Liberties – examine the way the U.S. Constitution protects individual rights in the context of competing claims by various groups and interests.
• Strategic Intelligence and Covert Action – delves into the role the intelligence community plays in American foreign relations.

What You Will Learn

• You’ll study how people obtain and use power at the local, state, national and international level.
• Your courses will teach you the history and theory behind the political process and then immerse you in the practice.
• You will learn how to work towards positive change in your community.

Skills You Will Gain

• Political Science will give you the knowledge required for understanding and navigating political processes at the local, national, and international levels.
• You will develop the analytical skills required for developing strategic political solutions for thorny issues of relevance for your community.
• You will sharpen your ability to critically assess how to translate your values into political action.

Experiential Learning

Your courses will teach you the history and theory behind the political process and then immerse you in the practice. Legislative Process and Lobbying meets when the Texas legislature is in session. You’ll alternate between attending classroom lectures and discussions on campus, and sitting in on hearings, debates and programs at the Texas State Capitol.

Scholarships, Conferences and Summer Institutes

Political Science majors have been selected for many competitive learning opportunities domestically and abroad. They include:

• The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the State Department, which offers grants to undergraduates to study or intern abroad in locations including Chile, Brazil and Morocco.
• The State Department Critical Language Scholarship, an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion designed to expand the number of Americans mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity.
• The Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, a highly competitive seven-week program that trains students in the quantitative, analytical and communication skills they’ll need to study public policy in graduate school and enter a career that serves the public good.
• The highly selective Harvard Kennedy School Public Policy Leadership Conference, which introduces students to graduate programs in public policy at Harvard.
• The John Jay Fellows Program in Philadelphia, a semester-long leadership development program based on Christian principles that prepares participants for careers in public service.

Internships

Every Political Science major completes at least one internship, but you’ll be encouraged to go beyond that requirement to expand your education. Students recently have interned with these organizations:

• No Labels, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that supports nonpartisan problem solving
• Office of Austin Mayor Steve Adler
• Office of U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett
• Office of State Rep. Oscar Longoria
• Office of former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper
• Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott
• Beto O’Rourke Senate Campaign
• Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Texas Senate Finance Committee
• Equal Justice Center, a nonprofit law firm
• Workers Defense Project
• Foley & Lardner LLP
• Generation Citizen, a nonprofit that teaches middle- and high-school students civic participation and engagement strategies
• Mighty Citizen, a local marketing agency focused on promoting community-impact organizations
• Annie’s List
• Caritas of Austin
• Texas Democratic Party
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, D.C.
• Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization
• Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas

Student Organizations

• The St. Edward’s Criminal Justice Club is a chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon. The club meets twice a month to hear guest speakers, go on field trips, offer community service, and complete training together.
• Alpha Phi Sigma is the national criminal justice honor society.
• Phi Alpha Delta, the pre-law organization, meets weekly to listen to guest speakers, learn about the law school admission process, participate in mentorship programs, do service work and learn about internships. The club also has a mock trial team that competes in events hosted by the American Mock Trial Association and Phi Alpha Delta. The team has traveled to Washington, D.C., to compete.
• Student Government Association represents the ideas and needs of all St. Edward’s students.
• Students for Sustainability educates the St. Edward’s community about eco-friendly practices and works with the St. Edward’s administration to implement environmental initiatives. Members help maintain the campus garden, learn about biking and public transportation, encourage fellow students to reduce their use of plastic water bottles, and have clothing swaps and upcycled craft nights.
• Hilltop Views, the weekly student newspaper, is published both in print and online. Student journalists report news from the campus and greater Austin community. You can get involved as early as your freshman year as a writer, editor, photographer or designer.
• The S.E.R.V.E. program, coordinated by Campus Ministry, connects you with volunteer opportunities in Austin. You can participate in a Saturday-morning program where you clean up a park or paint a school building, or commit to weekly service for the whole semester at an organization helping immigrants, children or the elderly.

Students interested in pursuing a role in law or government can enhance their knowledge and skill sets with a Political Science minor. Students must complete the 18 hours of required coursework.

Required Courses:

• American National Government
• International Relations
• Comparative Politics
• Any three upper-division Political Science courses