Unlock your political potential and use it to improve society.

By studying various topics – from governmental systems to international relations to political behaviors – you will not only learn how the political sphere operates, but you will also make yourself valuable to future employers. Through your political science degree program, you will learn all about diplomacy, strategy, the presidency, and much more. But it doesn’t stop there. With a degree in political science, you can venture into almost any career field with better researching, writing, and public speaking skills. You don’t have to become a big-time politician; you just have to take the next step. After graduation, you will be set to make your mark on society. This could be the place where it all starts. 

Anchor: Stats
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Political Science

Explore the intricacies of politics and get inside the minds of world leaders as you navigate courses that will teach you how government systems work at their cores. Grow in your political and relational capabilities as you learn how to conduct important research and understand what it means to interact with people on an international scale. The knowledge and skills you gain through a degree in political science will equip you to help countless people over the years, making a lasting impact in societies around the U.S. — maybe even the world. With a mind prepped for taking on challenges and overcoming expectations, you will take on whichever governmental role you desire and take a leap toward changing the world for the better. 

Course Requirements

POLS 131 Introduction to Political Science 

POLS 233 American National Government 

POLS 235 Introduction to International Relations 

HIST 224 Research Mechanics 

HIST 225 Research Composition 

POLS 490 Senior Research Capstone 

POLS 433 Western Political Theory I  or  POLS 434 Western Political Theory II 

Choose 15 credit hours (i.e. 5 classes) from the following:

POLS 230     Introduction to Law and Legal Education 

POLS 233     American National Government 

HIST 224     Research Mechanics 

HIST 225     Research Composition 

HIST 337     The American Constitution 

POLS 431     Internship 

Choose one elective (3 credit hours) from any other political science course (course code will begin with POLS).

A Bachelor of Arts degree requires completing the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of completing one foreign language sequence through the intermediate level.

 

FREN 131     Elementary French I

FREN 132     Elementary French II

FREN 231     Intermediate French I

FREN 232     Intermediate French II

 

SPAN 131     Elementary Spanish I

SPAN 132     Elementary Spanish II

SPAN 231     Intermediate Spanish I

SPAN 232     Intermediate Spanish II

Minor in Political Science

Interested in politics but don’t know if you want to make a career out of it? Not a problem! University of the Cumberlands offers a political science minor that gives you the experience of learning what politics, national and international relations, and governmental systems have to offer on a smaller scale so that you’re free to major in whatever else you’d like. A minor in political science will make you stand out on any résumé and guarantee your chances of being successful in the workforce, no matter what professional avenue you take. 

Course Requirements

POLS 131 Introduction to Political Science 

POLS 233 American National Government 

POLS 235 Introduction to International Relations 

...and POLS 436 Political Ideologies, or POLS 433 Political Theory I, or POLS 434, Political Theory II.

Complete 12 credit hours (i.e. 4 classes) of political science electives (course code will begin with POLS).

Online Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies

Choose between an Associate of Science (A.S.) or an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Political Science at Cumberlands. Your courses will lay the groundwork for a future as a paralegal, and the degree can be completed completely online in as little as one year. If you want a degree in your hand quickly so you can step into the legal world, and you want a flexible online program, this could be the best option for you.

Course Requirements

ITSS 130     Application Software 

CRJS 131     Intro to Criminal Justice; 

COMM 332  Small Group Communication

POLS 233     American National History   

POLS 141     Legal Terminology 

POLS 239     Legal Terminology  

POLS 430     Selected Topics 

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the political science program at Cumberlands is to teach you the structures and policies of government to prepare you to work in both politics and other areas. Through this program, you will gain:

Understanding of political institutions and processes, both national and international.
Awareness of the inevitability of power and politics in human affairs.
Ability to think critically about the proper role of government, both in its range and limits.
Appreciation for the relationship between a vibrant democracy and your role as an active, informed citizen.
Fundamental skills necessary for successful professional lives beyond college.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Political Science Careers & Outcomes

*All statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics

Political Scientist: $122,510

Political Scientist: $122,510

Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They research political ideas and analyze governments, policies, political trends, and related issues. 

Professor: $79,640

Professor: $79,640

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books. 

Lawyer: $127,990

Lawyer: $127,990

Lawyers, also called attorneys, research the intent of laws and judicial decisions and determine whether they apply to the specific circumstances of their client’s case. They act as both advocates and advisors for one party in a criminal (offense against the state or the nation) or civil (matters between individuals or organizations) proceeding. 

News Analyst: $48,370

News Analyst: $48,370

News analysts, reporters, and journalists keep the public updated about current events and noteworthy information. They report international, national, and local news for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and radio. 

Historian: $63,940

Historian: $63,940

Historians conduct research and analysis for governments, businesses, individuals, nonprofits, historical associations, and other organizations. They use a variety of sources in their work, including government and institutional records, newspapers, photographs, interviews, films, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries, letters, and other primary source documents. They also may process, catalog, and archive these documents and artifacts. 

Operations Research Analyst: $82,360

Operations Research Analyst: $82,360

Operations research analysts may be involved in many aspects of an organization. For example, they may help managers decide how to allocate resources, develop production schedules, oversee the supply chain, and set prices.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

Political science is a social science focused on governments and systems of power and the analysis of laws and political activities, thoughts, and behaviors. There are a wide range of subdisciplines, such as political economy, international relations, and public policy and administration. Political science shares methodology with other social sciences, like history, psychology, and behavioral science. This allows you to take classes in your area of interest during your political studies. Degree programs vary, but generally cover topics such as international law, government administration, and diplomacy. 

As a political science major at Cumberlands, you will survey the major concepts, issues, and controversies in political science.  Whether you are pursuing a poli-sci minor or a bachelor’s degree in political science, you’ll explore public policy, constitutional law, political theory, comparative government, American foreign policy, the presidency, and Congress. With a poli-sci degree, you will be well prepared to begin a new career or further your studies in graduate school. 

A lot, actually. Career opportunities for those with a political science degree are numerous. Many graduates with a political science major gain work in government as elected officials or in many other capacities, including lobbyists.  

Reasoning, interpreting, analyzing, reading comprehension, pattern recognition, public speaking, problem solving – the skills you’ll gain through a political science degree are highly valued by employers in virtually any industry. 

There are plenty of alternative career options that will still utilize what you learned in your degree. Here are just a few:  

  1. Lawyer 
  1. Journalist 
  1. Business Owner 
  1. Teaching 
  1. FBI Officer 
  1. Foreign Service Officer 
  1. Ambassador 
  1. Historian 
  1. CIA Intelligence Specialist 

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation. For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Political Science

Learn more about the political science professors you will interact with. 

Catherine Ball

Catherine Ball, JD

Adjunct Professor
History

Catherine Ball, JD

Contact Information

catherine.ball [at] ucumberlands.edu
Bennett Building

Dr. Charles Pilant

Professor
History

Dr. Charles Pilant

Contact Information

charles.pilant [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Dr. Michael Spurlock

Dr. Michael Spurlock

Adjunct Professor
History

Dr. Michael Spurlock

Contact Information

michael.spurlock [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote

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