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The political science program at Buena Vista University offers students a choice between two major programs of study – political science (PSCN) and public administration (PSPA). Each program of study equips students with an optimal combination of theoretical awareness, methodological skill, and pre-professional experience. Students enrolled in the political science program enjoy maximum flexibility in completing core requirements, choosing from a broad range of course offerings in the traditional fields of American politics, public law, public policy, public administration, political philosophy, research methods, and international affairs. Moreover, political science and public administration majors benefit from a world-class array of internship opportunities and participate actively in Buena Vista University’s international travel programs. As a result, students completing either the political science or public administration programs of study are well prepared for employment in the private, non-profit, and public sectors. Many graduates of the political science program pursue advanced degrees in political science, public administration, public policy, or law.
Students pursuing a political science major entertain the key questions of political life. Beginning political science majors explore in-depth the normative concerns of philosophers of ancient, modern, and contemporary lineage. In addition, beginning political science majors engage in comparative and historical examinations of the American public policy process, focusing on the key institutions, actors, and ideologies that shape outcomes in the policy game. Broad training in international affairs completes lower division offerings and prepares students for focused, advanced coursework and international study opportunities. Upper-division courses develop professional skills and ask students to cull deeply from their liberal arts background as they construct their own, independent contributions to the study of political life.
The public administration program of study is dedicated to the development of professional-level management and policy analysis skills. Public administration majors complete coursework in American government and politics, public sector management, basic accounting principles, economic theory, public finance, computer science, personnel administration, and organizational behavior. Particular emphasis is placed on the acquisition of problem-solving, policy planning, and policy analytic skills. Most public administration majors gain invaluable experiences in a professional setting by completing an internship assignment in their final year of study. Similar to the political science major, the public administration program of study calls upon each student's ability to fully integrate a liberal arts background and the specific knowledge gained in specialized, pre-professional curricula. Most important, public administration majors participate actively in Buena Vista University's nationally recognized program of experiential learning.
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PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government
PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics
MATH 140 Elementary Applied Statistics
PSCN 205 Introduction to Political Philosophy
PSCN 240 Judicial Process or PSCN 245 Introduction to American Law
PSCN 310 Comparative Politics or PSCN 315 International Relations
PSPA 320 State and Local Politics or PSPA 380 Administrative Agencies
PSPA 360 Introduction to Public Affairs
PSCN 460 Constitutional Law
PSCN 465 Civil Liberties or PSCN 485 Special Topics in Political Science
PSCN 400 Pre-Professional Seminar
Option A:
Two courses from:
HIST 320 History of the Middle East
HIST 349 Modern Europe
HIST 360 History of China
HIST 362 History of Japan
HIST 364 History of India
PSCN 495 Political Science Internship
Additional PSCN or PSPA course at the 300 level or higher not previously completed to satisfy a PSCN requirement
Option B:
PSCN 490 Washington Center Internship Program
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PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government
PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics
PSCN 205 Introduction to Political Philosophy
PSPA 360 Introduction to Public Affairs
PSCN 310 Comparative Politics or PSCN 315 International Relations
PSCN 460 Constitutional Law
Two courses from:
PSCN or PSPA at the 300 level or higher
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PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government
PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics
PSCN 240 Judicial Process or PSCN 245 Introduction to American Law
PSPA 265 Introduction to Public Administration
PSPA 320 State and Local Politics or PSPA 380 Administrative Agencies
PSPA 360 Introduction to Public Affairs
ACCT 205 Financial Accounting
ECON 205 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 206 Principles of Macroeconomics
MATH 140 Elementary Applied Statistics
MGMT 306 Principles of Management
MGMT 320 Human Resources Management
PSPA 400 Pre-Professional Seminar
Option A:
Six credit hours from:
PSPA 485 Special Topics in Public Administration
PSPA 495 Senior Internship
Additional PSCN or PSPA course at the 300 level or higher not previously completed to satisfy a PSPA requirement
Option B:
PSCN 490 Washington Center Internship Program
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PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government
PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics
PSPA 265 Introduction to Public Administration
PSPA 320 State and Local Politics or PSPA 380 Administrative Agencies
PSPA 360 Introduction to Public Affairs
ECON 205 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 206 Principles of Macroeconomics
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Political Science major (40 hours)
Plus requirements for secondary education and education core
Students pursuing a licensure minor must complete one of the following options:
Option 1:
Political Science minor (24 hours)
Plus requirements for secondary education and education core
Option 2:
Fifteen hours of social science courses and fifteen hours of political science courses including:
PSCN 110 Introduction to American Government
PSCN 115 Introduction to Politics
PSCN 460 Constitutional Law
PSCN 465 Civil Liberties
PSPA 360 Introduction to Public Affairs
Plus requirements for secondary education and education core
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