Department of Political Science graduates are prepared for career success in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Many of our students continue their education at graduate and law schools across the country. Our alumni are making a difference in their community, region, state and around the world.
Political Science explores topics related to political behavior, the law, and governance both in the United States and internationally.
The International Affairs major prepares students for success in an interconnected global society.
Philosophy develops our ability to challenge the obvious, trains us to analyze and synthesize ideas.
This program engages students in the scholarly pursuit of the law and its practice.
This program prepares graduates for immediate employment or advancement in the paralegal field.
The program provides students an interdisciplinary perspective while fostering greater understanding of the law as it relates to history, the sciences, and ethics in the United States and around the world.
Became a Department of Political Science Major or Minor
Apply to Western Kentucky University
Masters of Public Administration
The WKU MPA program prepares graduate students to be productive leaders and managers
in public service by sharing knowledge, encouraging excellence in research and practice,
and fostering an environment of professionalism within the diverse communities we
serve.
The Joint Undergraduate-Master’s Program (JUMP) offers highly qualified and motivated students the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame.
Interested in being a GA? Apply here!
Local Goverment Administration Graduate Certificate
The Local Goverment Administration graduate certificate can be taken by itself or
in conjunction with the pursuit of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree
or a graduate degree in another field. Courses in the LGA certificate serve as electives
for the MPA, making it possible for students to earn two graduate credentials at once.
Local Goverment Administration
Government Employee Discount Program
The Government Employee Discount Program offers a discounted tuition rate to eligible local government employees in the BRADD region.
The discount program pertains to admission and costs related to courses offered by
the Department of Political Science for WKU's Master of Public Administration (MPA)
program and Graduate Certificate in Local Government Administration program.
The WKU PoliSci Podcast will be a weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Joel Turner. Each week Dr. Turner will be joined by faculty members from the WKU Political Science Department to discuss important events and keep students and alumni up to date on happenings in the department.
Additionally, Dr. Turner will occasionally be joined by guests from outside the department to provide unique perspectives on the newsworthy topics of the day.
Through engaging in trial simulations in competition with teams from other institutions, students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as a knowledge of legal practices and procedures.
Internships provide students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to a work setting.
Follow the WKU Pre-Law Association account to stay updated on events,opportunities,news, and more!.
Represent the department at special events.
While at WKU, we encourage our majors to Learn, Engage, and Lead.
Philosophy Club meets other philosophy students, share their interests in philosophy, and discuss philosophical issues.
Many of our students choose to pursue law degrees at universities around the country.
How will you make our community better through the legal profession?
And many, many more!
Most of WKU’s merit scholarships are based on high school GPA instead of standardized test scores.
WKU also offers an online tool that allows students or parents to estimate the cost of attendance and potential financial aid awards. By completing a simple form about the student’s background, plans for housing while in school, and family finances, the student can receive information on estimated costs and awards.
WKU Scholarships Cost Information
Sarah Alexcee is a first-generation college graduate (Class of 2020) from Nashville who graduated with a BA in Political Science and a Criminology minor. Despite her busy schedule, she was able to find time to satisfy her interest in politics by participating in YMCA Youth in Government (now Campus YMCA Congress) and College Republicans. In the Fall of her senior year, she interned for Senator Rand Paul in his Bowling Green office.
Sarah credits her political science professors for giving her the tools to research and evaluate complex political issues. Following graduation, Sarah was hired as a full-time staff assistant in Senator Paul’s office where she works alongside several fellow WKU alumni.
Colonnade Explorations Courses
Quantitative Reasoning Course
An introductory course in logic which presents the different uses of language and teaches students (1) to evaluate the logical status of statements and the consistency and validity of arguments using both natural and formal language techniques, and (2) to identify informal fallacies.
3 Credit Hrs
Social & Cultural Course
An examination of the political, economic and social status of American women from an historical and contemporary perspective; explores issues of concern to women in a political context.Patterns for each meter, uses of the left hand, cueing posture, attacks, releases, terminology and score study.
3 Credit Hrs
Colonnade Connections Courses
Systems
Comparative study and analysis of U.S. legal system and those of select foreign countries. Students will be responsible for fees associated with off campus travel as assigned.
3 Credit Hrs
Local to Global
An analysis of government and politics of Russia and Eastern European countries with emphasis on political processes and institutions, political and economic reforms, and the prospects for democratic government.
3 Credit Hrs
Colonnade Foundations:
Quantitative Reasoning [AKA MATH Catagory]
Colonnade Explorations:
Arts & Humanities
PHIL 101 TRUTH AND RELATIVISM
PHIL 102 THE GOOD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
PHIL 103 THE COMMITTED LIFE
Social & Behavioral Science
PS 110 AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVT
PS 250 INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
PS 260 INTRO TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS
Colonnade Connections:
Social & Cultural
PS 200 LATIN AMERICA PAST AND PRESENT
PS 320 AMERICAN STUDIES I
PS 373 MINORITY POLS
PS 374 WOMEN AND POLITICS
PS 377 POLITICS OF THE AMERICAN SOUTH
PS 457 WAR AND PEACE IN INT RELATION
PHIL 211 WHY ARE BAD PEOPLE BAD
PHIL 212 PHIL AND GENDER THEORY
PHIL 323 SOCIAL ETHICS
Local to Global
PS 357 U S FOREIGN POLICY
PS 361 POLITICS OF WESTERN EUROPE
PS 365 GOVT/POLITICS/MID-EAST
PS 367 POLITICS OF RUSSIA/EAST EUROPE
PS 369 CENTRAL EUROPEAN POLITICS
Systems
PS 220 JUDICIAL PROCESS
PS 304 STATE GOVERNMENT
PS 311 PUBLIC POLICY
PS 340 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC ADMIN
PS 352 INTERNAT REL/MID-EAST
PS 370 POLITICAL PARTIES & INT GROUPS
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