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Appalachian State University

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Political Science (BA)

About

Political Science majors are prepared for many careers in the private and public sector – including business, law, government at all levels, journalism, political campaigns, interest groups and more. Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree has a strong liberal arts focus, including a foreign language requirement.

Students who choose this degree receive an interdisciplinary approach to political science with a flexible program of study, which is great for tailoring your education to fit graduate school plans. This approach takes advantage of the broad range of faculty expertise in the Department of Government and Justice Studies. Students also are encouraged to participate in national, state and local politics, and many pursue an internship in Washington, D.C., or North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh. The department also offers a Master of Arts in Political Science.

After Graduation

Employment: Most students start jobs right after graduation. Recent employers include:

  • The White House
  • The United States Senate
  • The Brady Campaign
  • The Office of the Vice President of the United States
  • Friends Committee on National Legislation
  • The Nexus Fund

Graduate school: Some students continue their education at Appalachian State University or other institutions such as: George Washington University, Pennsylvania State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Alumnus Profile: Tommy Wrenn ’14
    Alumnus Profile: Tommy Wrenn ’14

    Tommy Wrenn has worked as a development professional in Washington, D.C., fundraising for organizations connected to the environment and addressing climate change — an issue he describes as a “personal passion.”

  • Alumnus Profile: Dr. Zaphon Wilson ’76 ’77
    Alumnus Profile: Dr. Zaphon Wilson ’76 ’77

    Dr. Zaphon Wilson is dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and professor of political science at Saint Augustine’s University. While teaching at Appalachian, he was instrumental in the university’s early diversity efforts.

  • Program Faculty: Dr. Hye-Sung Kim
    Program Faculty: Dr. Hye-Sung Kim

    “I am very excited about working with students at App State because of their openness and interest in learning about the world and politics beyond the United States. This means I get to do what I truly enjoy — doing field research abroad and collecting my own data — in collaboration with my students.”

    – Dr. Hye-Sung Kim, assistant professor of political science

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Political Science (BS) - American Politics
  • Political Science (BS) - International and Comparative Politics
  • Political Science (BS) - Pre-Professional Legal Studies
  • Political Science (BS) - Public Administration

Minors

A minor is required. Popular minors include:

  • Philosophy
  • Communications
  • Sociology
  • Foreign Language
  • History

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

  • Appalachian State University College Republicans — The leading voice for conservatives on campus. All new members are welcome at meetings held Wednesday nights. 
  • Appalachian State University College Democrats — The group for liberal students on campus. New members are welcome at meetings held Tuesday nights.
  • App State YAL — Division of the North Carolina Libertarian Party. The group is a chapter of the national campus activist organization known as the Young Americans for Liberty.

Global Learning

App State is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Why Appalachian?

  • Internships and participation in national, state and local politics are encouraged so students gain practical and real world political experience. Students can earn up to 9 credit hours completing an internship.
  • Students with a 3.4 GPA or higher have the opportunity to participate in App State's Accelerated Master’s Program.
  • The Department of Government and Justice Studies includes more than 30 tenure-track faculty with PhDs in Political Science, Public Administration and Criminal Justice. This gives students the opportunity to study under professors with an array of expertise.
  • The department offers a variety of study-away courses that allow students to earn course credits while engaging in real world politics. Recent study-away destinations include Raleigh, N.C., Washington, D.C., the Iowa caucuses, Cuba and Jordan.
  • Scholarships are available through the department.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

  • Attorney
  • University Professor
  • Campaign Manager
  • City Manager
  • Congressional Aide
  • FBI/CIA Agent
  • Journalist
  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Legislative Analyst Lobbyist
  • Media Analyst
  • Politician
  • Public Administrator/Manager
  • Research Analyst
  • Interest Group Director

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Government and Justice Studies

Dr. Cathy Marcum
Department Chair
828-262-3075
marcumcm@appstate.edu

Dr. Heather Ondercin
Political Science Curriculum Coordinator
828-262-6349
ondercinhl@appstate.edu

  • Department of Government and Justice Studies

    Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at gjs.appstate.edu

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

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