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

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Political Science, International Affairs, and Environmental Science and Policy webpage.

Major Requirements: The Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs requires 43-57 hours of major courses, which include a combination of global studies, history, and political studies. In addition, students choose both a regional concentration and a thematic concentration to specialize their studies.

Electives: Students complete 18 hours of elective courses in any area of study they choose. These courses do not have to relate to the major.

General Education Requirements: The degree requires 45 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 International Affairs major (PDF).

A few examples of courses students in this major take:

• Comparative Politics - identifies and explains the political, economic, and social differences between countries of the world.
• International Security and Conflict Resolution - explores the causes of war and the nature of diplomacy
• American Foreign Relations - delves into the interactions the United States has with other countries and the policymakers who craft those relations

What You Will Learn

• A variety of current and vital issues including challenges to democracy and freedom around the world; equity and inequality in the global distribution of wealth; the roles of identity and culture in societies; conflicts arising from nationalism and globalization; the causes of war and the means to promote peace, among others.
• To apply your knowledge to real life scenarios and simulations. You will explore the challenges and opportunities for cooperation between the governments and peoples of the globe, and use your knowledge to help devise solutions for international and transnational problems.

Skills You Will Gain

• Gain the knowledge base required for effectively understanding and engaging with crucial global issues.
• Gain the analytical skills required for making sense of how political, economic, and social factors interact on a global scale to produce local and international outcomes.
• Develop the critical thinking skills required for the design and assessment of solutions for existing global challenges. 

Experiential Learning

• Students will have the opportunity to participate in a Model Organization of American States conference with peers from other universities. They will take on the role of diplomats for a country in the hemisphere, and collaborate with other delegates on the solution of a crisis scenario. 

Internships

Internships help you develop cultural competency and gain experience in a professional work environment. Students have interned with these organizations:

• Henry Davis Foundation
• Global Austin
• The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES)
• Community development internship in Ecuador
• Equal Justice Center, a nonprofit law firm
• LifeWorks, an Austin agency that supports youth and families with housing, education and counseling
• AIDS Foundation Houston

Student Organizations

• The Kozmetsky Center of Excellence at St. Edward’s brings international experts to campus, either in person or virtually, to share their knowledge with the university community. Past speakers have included American and foreign diplomats, policy makers, university scholars, and leaders of the business, non-profit and cultural communities. You’ll have the chance to listen and ask questions of these global experts in sustainable development, peace and security, global health, climate change and global finance.
• 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.
• 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.
• Service Break Experiences give you the chance to travel to another community, volunteer and learn about local life. SBEs are built on ongoing relationships between St. Edward’s and the service location and require students to prepare — educationally and spiritually — for several months beforehand. The trips incorporate structured reflections so you’ll integrate what you’ve learned and use it to fuel your charity and justice work going forward. A hallmark of SBEs is their emphasis on living simply — you’ll leave your phone and other luxuries behind. In previous years, SBEs have gone to Peru, Canada, and India.

Traveling abroad is the perfect way to learn about another culture, government, and economy and strengthen your language skills. You’ll be able to study abroad at one of St. Edward’s partner universities across more than 15 countries, or take your studies almost anywhere in the world through another international education provider. You can also choose to intern abroad, helping increase your cultural agility, add to your skill set and expand your global network.

The St. Edward’s–Asia Pacific University dual-degree program gives you the chance to earn two degrees in four years and spend two years studying abroad. You’ll spend your first and fourth years of college at St. Edward’s, earning a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, and your second and third years at our partner university Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Japan, earning a Bachelor of Social Science degree. APU is a multicultural campus with students from nearly 100 countries and offers most classes in Japanese and English. Your courses there will focus on Asia Pacific studies and business. The dual degrees — along with the cultural understanding, language skills and international perspective you’ll gain — will make you a stronger applicant for jobs or graduate school.

Contact Dr. William Nichols williamn@stedwards.edu for more information.

Learn more about the Dual Degree Program

The minor in International Affairs is an asset for any student who wishes to add an international perspective to their education. Students are required to take 18 hours to complete the minor.

Required Courses:

• Global Issues
• One International Affairs area survey course and one advanced History, Political Science or Economics course in that region
• Senior Seminar in International Affairs
• One course from each thematic track (International Business & Economics, International Conflict, Cooperation & Security, and Global Public Health) 

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Political Science, International Affairs, and Environmental Science and Policy webpage.

Major Requirements: The degree requires 49 hours of coursework. All students take 25 hours of a core curriculum that includes introductory courses on sustainability and environmental science, as well as upper level courses on environmental politics and policy, research in environmental science and policy, and internship. In addition, students will choose between an environmental policy track more focused on politics, communication, law and economics, and an environmental science track more focused on biology and chemistry. 

View Degree Plan

Electives: Students complete 15 hours of elective courses in any area of study they choose. These courses do not have to relate to the major.

General Education Requirements: The degree requires 48 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.

A few examples of courses students in this major take:             

• Climate Change – explores the issue of global climate change through an interdisciplinary lens, covering the science, impacts on the environment and human populations, and management and policy responses
• Chemistry in the Environment - students learn about how nutrients and toxic chemicals move through the environment and what we can do to reduce their impacts, and participate in a hands-on service-learning project testing lead in tap water of at-risk homes in Travis County
• Environmental Politics and Policy – examines the political process through which environmental decisions are made and the different regulatory and market-based policy alternatives for achieving environmental goals. 
• Research Experience in Environmental Science and Policy – students train in research methods and design and conduct a guided research project on an environmental topic of their choosing. 

What You Will Learn

As an Environmental Science and Policy major, you’ll learn about both the natural world and the world of government and politics.

Experiential Learning

• Your courses will take you all over Central Texas, as you visit parks and preserves and conduct research in the field. Your classes will also feature guest speakers from local environmental organizations, helping you learn about potential career paths and start to build your network.
• Introduction to Sustainability is the first course you’ll take in your major. You’ll apply the sustainability concepts you learn to campus projects like planting and maintaining the campus garden. You’ll also research sustainability initiatives to pitch to school officials for potential adoption on campus.
• Natural Resource Conservation and Management emphasizes the real-world challenges of natural resource conservation and management. You’ll go on numerous outings to parks preserves and private lands throughout Texas to learn about different resource management techniques and meet professionals in the field.
• In Environmental and Ecological Field Methods, you’ll learn different methods natural and social scientists use to collect data for research. Students in this course recently studied how dockless scooters were affecting traffic and safety in central Austin and whether scooters are helping people drive less. They also measured the diversity of species in Blunn Creek, a preserve next to the St. Edward’s campus, comparing patches of forest that were mostly native trees and patches that had been taken over by invasive species.

Research

ENSP majors will work closely with faculty members to gain research skills and experience both in the laboratory and at our Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. Funding is available through the Hook Fellowship for students interested in conducting field research at Wild Basin and other properties in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.  Students can also apply for the BSS Research Award to obtain funding to present their research at academic conferences. This research experience has been influential in enabling graduates to acquire positions with employers and graduate schools.

Internships

ENSP majors gain valuable practical experience conducting internships within the public, private and non-private sectors. ENSP majors have interned with state and federal legislators, state agencies such as Texas Commission for Environmental Quality, environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy and Save Our Springs Alliance and private companies such as Freedom Solar and Wildlife Management Services.

Student Organizations

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, organize the campus Earth Day festival and initiate numerous sustainability measures on campus, including composting and reusable plates and silverware in the dining halls, clothing swaps and water-bottle-filling stations throughout campus.

The St. Edward’s Office of Sustainability offers internships and welcomes volunteers who help coordinate Earth Week and maintain the office’s blog.

Learning about environmental issues overseas can help you develop perspective on the problems American cities and states are trying to solve. In recent semesters, ENSP faculty have led environmental-themed study abroad programs in France, Costa Rica and South Africa, although this is not an exhaustive list of places you can study abroad.

Learn more about St. Edward’s enhanced study abroad opportunities with 20 partner universities across 17 countries and 5 continents.

In the Sustainable Development in Costa Rica source, you’ll take on a community service project; the program includes a study tour of Costa Rica, where you’ll explore issues of sustainable development and ecotourism.

Whether you are interested in environmental consulting, research management, or simply adding an environmental perspective to your prospective field of interest, a minor in Environmental Science and Policy can help you prepare for a more sustainably mindful career.

Required Coursework:

• Introduction to Sustainability
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Politics and Policy
• Two other upper-division ENSP courses
• One additional ENSP elective

At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.

View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of Political Science, International Affairs, and Environmental Science and Policy webpage.