ALL PROGRAMS | College of Arts & Sciences Programs
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What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Full-time students can complete the program in 4 years.

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus, Online

The general program in political science and the concentration in pre-law are offered online. Learn more about these online options.

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

Students may enter the program in the fall, spring or summer semester.

VIEW ADMISSIONS DEADLINES

Political Science, B.A.

Undergraduate Program Director
Jeannie Grussendorf
[email protected]

Political science is the study of “who gets what, when and how” in the distribution of goods and values in society and in groups. Political scientists study the forces that determine such distributions, including political parties and voters, public opinion, interest groups, bureaucracies and administrative behavior, public law, international relations, international law and organizations, national security, intergovernmental relations, political behavior, political philosophy, comparative politics, public policy and conflict.

Students may specialize in any of the five fields of the discipline:

  • American politics and government
  • Comparative politics
  • International politics
  • Political theory, or
  • Public policy and administration

The department also provides specific concentrations for majors and minors in pre-law and in international affairs.

The department sponsors intercollegiate academic teams for Mock Trial, Model United Nations and Model Arab League. The department sponsors student honor societies and clubs in pre-law, international relations, and political science. The department also provides advisement for pre-law students.

Students also have the option to earn an undergraduate certificate in European Union Studies in cooperation with the University System of Georgia. Courses that count towards the certificate can also be applied to their political science major and towards the International Affairs concentration. For more information, visit European Union Studies Program. The Georgia State faculty representative for the certificate program is Dr. Jeannie Grussendorf.

Program Highlights

The proximity of Georgia State to the center of government for the Southeast and the State of Georgia and its location in an international city of business, communication and transportation provide unique opportunities for students to observe and participate in government and politics. Many political science students serve as interns as part of their academic programs.

A view of the Georgia capitol building from the Georgia State University campus.

Program Details

High School Seniors and Recent Graduates
If you’re a senior in high school or if you graduated from high school within the last two years, you’ll apply to begin your bachelor’s degree program using Georgia State’s Common Application.

Find out more about applying

International students
International applicants are those students who are in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa (B-1, H-1, J-1, etc.), students who are living outside the U.S. and who will require an F-1 visa to study in the United States, students who are in the process of applying for Permanent Residency status but have not yet received the Permanent Residency card or students who have been educated outside the U.S.

Learn more about the application process

Transfer students
If you’re already in college but need a change, transferring to Georgia State can provide you with the opportunities you need to succeed — in school and after graduation.

View the details

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements and the University Degree Requirements.

Students may specialize in any of the five fields of the discipline: American politics and government, comparative politics, international politics, political theory, and public policy and administration. The department also provides concentrations for majors and minors in pre-law and in international affairs.

For more details, visit the course catalog.

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

Our students develop and strengthen important life- and career-related skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, public speaking, research and communication.

Political Science classes offer a wide variety of opportunities to discuss, explore and evaluate different perspectives while allowing students to discover, apply and expand on critical tools to help them problem-solve a broad range of approaches to contemporary social and political challenges whether at the local, state, national or international level.

Our many active learning classes offer opportunities for leadership development. We help students prepare for careers by supporting multiple paths of learning such as internships, simulation-based classes, virtual exchange programs and study abroad opportunities.

Description

Careers

Students with a degree in Political Science have the skills to help them pursue many different career opportunities whether in government, the nonprofit sector or other private sector careers. Our graduates are also well prepared to go on to graduate school or law school.

Our alumni work as campaign managers, legal advisors, community organizers, teachers, policy analysts, lawyers, corporate managers, communication specialists and more.

Contacts

Admissions and Curriculum Inquiries

Undergraduate Program Director
Jeannie Grussendorf
[email protected]
404-413-6151

Department of Political Science
38 Peachtree Center Ave SE
Room 1023
Atlanta, GA 30303

College of Arts & Sciences Lockup25 Park Pl NE #2500
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared here provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For official details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.