B.A. in Political Science
The Political Science Major provides students with facts, theories and skills they will need to succeed personally, professionally and as community members and citizens of the world. Politics courses, for example, teach abilities highly desired by today's employers: writing well, working independently, engaging in teamwork, providing leadership and digging for facts. Our graduating students are, moreover, well prepared to excel in graduate school or the legal profession because of their ability to engage in rigorous analysis and thoughtful verbal and written communication. The study of politics also prepares students for specific careers: in government, foreign service, public policy, social action and teaching. Finally, Politics Majors enjoy the challenge of studying different answers to the question of how individuals and groups might live together under conditions of greater equality, peace and justice.
Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- compare and contrast competing arguments about politics.
- evaluate the validity of claims about politics and political behavior.
- explain complex political concepts and ideas clearly.
- apply basic methods of social science inquiry to address an important research question.
Career Outlook
Employment of budget analysts is projected to grow by 3 percent from 2021 to 2031. Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2021 to 2031. Employment of survey researchers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031. About 1,000 openings for survey researchers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Employment of social and community service managers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 18,000 openings for social and community service managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
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State University of New York at Potsdam is proud to announce its first fully online baccalaureate program—a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. The program is the first to be offered 100 percent virtually in the field in the SUNY System.
“I was looking at many other SUNY Schools, but SUNY Potsdam is probably the best one for politics and international studies. The campus itself is really nice too, in a really beautiful area filled with nature, which I don’t really get a lot of exposure to down south where I’m from in New York City.”