Political science is the study of government, public policy, and the forces that shape political behavior—from local communities to the international stage. IUP’s BA in Political Science offers students a flexible, interdisciplinary education that builds the analytical, research, and communication skills needed to navigate—and shape—the complex world around them.
Our program prepares students for careers in public service, law, nonprofit work, international affairs, business, journalism, and more. Because politics touches every field, Political Science pairs well with virtually any second major or minor—from criminology and economics to nursing, education, and sports management.
Students benefit from hands-on learning through internships, faculty-mentored research, and opportunities for community engagement. Courses emphasize not only the workings of American government and global politics, but also the value of civic responsibility, intellectual humility, and working across differences to pursue the common good.
Graduates leave the program with sharpened critical thinking, effective communication skills, and the ability to collaborate, analyze complex problems, and advocate for informed solutions—tools that are essential in both the public and private sectors.
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