Our students study political theory, political behavior, public policy and structures of government within the United States, around the world and among other nations. This breadth of academic work allows students to refine their written and oral communication skills, as well as develop their analytical and data analysis skills.
Our B.A. in Political Science is designed for students interested in careers in law, education, politics, government, international and nongovernmental organizations and journalism.
Students pursuing the B.A. in Political Science and interested in earning a Masters in Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree may opt begin their M.P.A. coursework during their final year as an undergraduate. Students can complete up to six credit hours as before earning their Bachelor's degree. Those six credit hours will reduce the total credit hours required to complete the M.P.A. degree allowing students to finish both their undergraduate and graduate degrees in as little as five years. An application is required.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Political Science program provides students with an intellectual foundation for critically analyzing the political and social environment. This includes both the exercise of power in government as well as the pursuit and use of power in the political and social realm through elections, social movements, international organizations and political violence, among others. Knowledge of political science is critical to informed citizenship and an appreciation of the diversity with which groups, parties, nations and international movements organize and compete for political influence. The study of the modes of pursuit and exercise of political power, which pervades all aspects of social, economic and political organization, necessarily requires a broad interdisciplinary focus as evidenced in the range of careers pursued by our students. A political science degree is excellent preparation for a career in public service and public affairs, politics, law, non-governmental and international organizations, journalism, or teaching. In learning to analyze politics, students with a BA degree develop general skills in critical thinking, analysis and communication. Upon completion of the BA in political science, students will be able to analyze political problems and theories, and to effectively communicate their analyses. Graduates will be prepared to explain the basic structures and processes of government systems and to apply fundamental concepts and theories from political science to explicate a wide variety of situations.
Some students worry that a philosophy degree won’t immediately lead to a career. However, the most important skills for a philosophy major — the ability to think and write clearly, to bring to light unnoticed presuppositions, to explain complex ideas clearly, to tease out connections and implications, to see things in a broader context, to challenge orthodoxy — are highly sought after by employers. For this reason, our majors do very well in the job market.
UMKC philosophy majors have gone on to pursue a variety of rewarding careers in law, medicine, finance, consulting, business, entrepreneurial startups, psychology, journalism, the arts, nonprofits, education and academia.
