Political Science Major

Politics are pervasive and important, since all human societies make collective decisions. Consequently, the political science major is an excellent choice for a liberal arts education, because it helps students study how politics function in various contexts and helps them become informed citizens. Students interested in preparing for law school, graduate school, or a career in government or international affairs often major in political science. The political science major is excellent preparation for a full range of careers, including work in law, education, public policy, government or public service, and the private sector.

The political science major at the University of Richmond has an unusually distinctive array of choices. In addition to the usual advantages of a small university—close working relationships with faculty and an excellent liberal arts education—students can enroll in a 2-unit internship program at the General Assembly during spring semesters (which puts them on the floor of the Legislature, working directly with delegates); participate in an internship in Washington, D.C., organized by departmental faculty; double major or minor in leadership studies, international studies, or law and liberal arts; and even take courses taught by law school faculty.

The department's knowledgeable and dedicated faculty offer challenging coursework that covers the major subfields of political science (American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public law, public policy, and research methods) and supervise undergraduate research and internship or study abroad opportunities. Our geographic location—in the City of Richmond, the capital of Virginia and only a short drive from our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.—offers students opportunities beyond the classroom. To learn more about studying political science at the University of Richmond, contact us.

The Political Science Major

Note: The grade point average of the coursework in political science comprising the major, must be 2.00 or above with no course grade below C- (1.7).

10 units, including:

  • One unit, chosen from:

    • PLSC220 Introduction to American Government

    • PLSC260 Introduction to Public Policy

  • One unit, chosen from:

    • PLSC240 Introduction to Comparative Politics

    • PLSC250 Introduction to International Relations

  • PLSC270 Social Science Inquiry

  • One unit, chosen from:

  • PLSC400 Senior Seminar

  • Five elective units

    • Four electives at the 300 level.

    • The fifth elective may be taken at the 200 or 300 level

Note:

The major must include a minimum of six units of University of Richmond political science courses. No more than two units of credit toward the major can be given for courses, including cross-listed courses, offered by other departments or schools at the University. Students may transfer credit for up to three courses to count toward the Political Science major including credit by exam (such as AP scores accepted for credit by the University) and courses given departmental approval (typically by the Chair) from study abroad or domestic universities. 

A&S policy stipulates that no more than 1.5 units of internship credit can be taken in the same department.  PLSC 395 The Virginia General Assembly Internship, does not count toward this limit.

Study abroad and internships also are encouraged. Students who have an interest in attending law school should consult with the pre-law advisor; students interested in attending graduate school should consult with the department chair about undergraduate courses that they should consider taking.

Note: Student editors of the Undergraduate Journal of Politics can count 0.5 unit toward a political science major and 0.5 unit toward general electives, or up to 1 unit toward general electives.