The B.A. in Political Science provides a broad education with a solid grounding in social sciences and the major areas within political science. The program offers the flexibility to focus on American politics, law, or international affairs through electives in the major. Open electives enable students to choose a minor if they wish.

Graduates go on to careers in politics, government, law, international relations, and foreign affairs. Jobs include attorney, community organizer, FBI agent, foreign service officer, government affairs officer, legislative analyst, lobbyist, paralegal, and politician.

Interested students in this course of study may be eligible for the Early Law School Admission Program.

Contact Information

Kathryn Dennick-Brecht, Ed.D. 
Department Head, Social Sciences
brecht@rmu.edu
412-397-5419 

Justin P. DePlato, Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor of Political Science
deplato@rmu.edu
412-397-5912 

Practicum Information

All traditional undergraduate students majoring in the social sciences must complete a practicum their senior year. This involves 120 hours of documented experience at an internship related to the student's field that has been pre-approved by the student's faculty mentor and the department head.

Participation in professional activities allows students to experience the work environment in their chosen field, make informed career choices, and enhance their employment credentials. These experiences reinforce the connection between professional and liberal learning through the application of classroom theories to actual occupational problems. 

Completing the practicum involves keeping a journal with daily entries and weekly reflections and a timesheet signed by the supervisor and writing a 12-page paper comparing and contrasting their experiences in the practicum with the theories and information presented in the social sciences coursework which was completed at RMU. It should also explain why the site was selected for the practicum and give any recommendations for future social sciences students about the practicum experience.

More details are available here.