College of Arts & Sciences

Political Science

120

Total hours

12

Pre-major hours

39

Major hours

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Political science majors explore issues of cooperation, power, conflict, and justice. Students will study theories of government and the development of political systems along with the role of groups and individuals within the political process. With this understanding students will begin to explain why governments and people behave the way they do and see how changes to a governmental system will alter behavior in the future. The Department of Political Science at UK offers a wide range of courses spanning the sub-fields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations. Specific subjects include: political processes, judicial behavior, political theory, international conflict, political behavior, comparative institutions, public administration, women in politics, constitutional law, and state and local government.

Careers

Grow Your Future

Graduates leave the program having cultivated their analytical abilities and having exercised their written and spoken communication skills. Such disciplinary training leads to a wide variety of careers, many of which have no direct political or governmental connection, but is particularly helpful in preparing students for careers such as law, policy analysis, governmental administration, diplomatic service, journalism, lobbying, and other sorts of other political activity.

Career opportunities in Political Science

  • Law
  • policy analysis
  • public administrators
  • policy analysts
  • diplomats and diplomatic staffers
  • teacher/professors
  • legislative or executive branch aides
  • law school teachers
  • international affairs specialists
  • journalists
  • lobbyists
  • lawyers and judges
  • campaign managers and political consultants
  • law enforcement professionals
  • NGO and non-profit staffers
  • Urban and regional planners
  • Social service workers

Accelerated Opportunity 

UK BLUE

If you know you want a career in law, then the UK BLUE program may be right for you. Incoming freshmen majoring in Political Science can apply to participate in this 3+3 partnership with UK Law. Students selected for this accelerated program finish their B.A. and J.D. in six years, all while participating in enrichment activities that expose them to the legal, clinical, community service, and career opportunities that a law degree makes possible. For more information, visit the UK BLUE website: https://www.as.uky.edu/uk-blue.

 

Classes & Requirements

What You'll Study

Political science majors take introductory course work in each of four areas: American politics; comparative politics; international relations; and theory/methodology. Majors then pursue advanced studies in one or more of these fields as determined by their interests and/or career goals. Political science courses are designed to provide students with a broad liberal arts education. Graduates leave the program having cultivated their analytical abilities and having exercised their written and spoken communication skills. Such disciplinary training leads to a wide variety of careers, many of which have no direct political or governmental connection, but is particularly helpful in preparing students for careers such as law, policy analysis, governmental administration, diplomatic service, journalism, lobbying, and other sorts of political activity.

 

Graduation Requirements

Any student earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete a minimum of 39 hours at the 300+ level. These hours are generally completed by the major requirements. However, keep this hour requirement in mind as you choose your course work for the requirements in the major. Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree must complete a minimum of 60 hours in biological, physical, mathematical and/or computer sciences. See the complete description of College requirements for a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences degrees in the Arts and Sciences section of the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin.

UK Core Requirements

  • The Nature of Inquiry in Arts and Creativity (3 hours)
  • The Nature of Inquiry in the Humanities (3 hours)
  • The Nature of Inquiry in the Social Sciences (3 hours)
  • The nature of Inquiry in the Natural, Physical and Mathematical Sciences (3 hours)
  • Composition and Communication I (3 hours)
  • Composition and Communication II (3 hours)
  • Quantitative Foundations (3 hours)
  • Statistical and Inferential Reasoning (3 hours)
  • Community, Culture and Citizenship in the USA (3 hours)
  • Global Dynamics (3 hours)

Total Credit Hours - 30


Premajor Requirements 

  • PS 101 - American Government [3 hours]
  • PS 210 - Introduction to Comparative Politics [3 hours]
  • PS 235 - World Politics [3 hours]
  • PS 240 - Introduction to Political Theory or PS 372 - Introduction to Political Analysis [3 hours]

Total Hours - 12

Major Requirements 

Core Requirements 

  • Students must take 18 additional credit hours of Political Science course work, of which at least 15 hours must be at the 300+ level [18 hours]
  • Students must take an additional 6 credit hours of Political Science course work or approved courses outside of Political Science [6 hours]

Coursework from outside the Department

  • Students must choose 15 hours outside of Political Science, at least 6 hours must be from one department and 6 hours from another department [15 hours]

Total Hours - 39


Political Science | Bachelor of Arts

B.A. Major Sheet B.A. Four Year Plan

Political Science | Bachelor of Science

B.S. Major Sheet B.S. Four Year Plan

Not Sure What You Want to Study?

Are you new to Undergraduate Studies and not sure where to begin? If so, we recommend starting with the Advising Syllabus. Need assistance "bouncing back" from academic probation? Visit our Rebound Page. Want to speak with an advisor about course registration, to find out about available resources for classes and major exploration, or just to check in? Schedule an Advising Appointment. How to Determine Academic Status


Imagine Your Future

Political Scientists

Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.

Median Salary

$122,510

per year in 2021

Number of Jobs

6,300

in 2021

Work Environment

Political scientists typically work full time in an office. They sometimes work additional hours to finish reports and meet deadlines.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Imagine Your Future

Lawyers

Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Click the link for more info.

Median Salary

$127,990

per year in 2021

Number of Jobs

833,100

in 2021

10 Year Job Outlook

80,200

new jobs (average)

Work Environment

The majority of lawyers work in private and corporate legal offices. Some work for federal, local, and state governments. Most work full time and many work more than 40 hours a week.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Read More

A&S Undecided/Exploratory Studies

Understanding that over 70 percent of university students will change their declared major at least once during their college careers, the College of Arts and Sciences has developed an Exploratory Studies program for students who have yet to decide the specific field of study that most closely aligns both their personal interests and their professional career goals and objectives. The Exploratory Studies Program provides students with an extraordinarily diverse educational environment that includes coursework spanning Math and Natural Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences and provides students with the unique opportunity to explore multiple areas of interest during their first several semesters on campus. For more information please contact a recruiting representative at asrecruting@uky.edu. 


Enhancing Your Time at UK

While there are endless ways to create an unforgettable journey as a Wildcat, we can only think of one that gives you the chance to step outside the classroom and into exploring new parts of the world around you: participating in an Education Abroad opportunity! Whether it’s in a study, research, service, or internship program, taking your UK experience international with EA is the most hands-on way for you to expand your global perspective while making yourself a more well-rounded, marketable candidate to future employers no matter your field. As you take these first steps towards investing in your future, EA encourages you to take advantage of all the opportunities UK has to offer. Take a look at some of the many suggested opportunities UK Education Abroad & Exchanges has to complement your major! #ukyabroad

 

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