Pittsburg State University

What you'll study

The degree combines core courses in American government and politics, comparative politics, political theory and international relations with training in research methods and public policy analysis. Early modules introduce foundational concepts such as the U.S. Constitution, federalism, civil liberties, and the structure of state and local government. Intermediate and advanced options typically include comparative political systems, international security and diplomacy, political behaviour and parties, public administration, campaigns and elections, and constitutional law.

Quantitative and qualitative methods feature in the curriculum through courses in statistics for the social sciences, research design, and a data-focused course or sequence that prepares students to evaluate policy and empirical research. Many students complete an upper-level seminar or capstone project involving original research or a policy practicum. Electives and directed readings allow specialisation in areas such as international affairs, public policy, pre-law preparation, or local government studies.

The programme emphasises experiential learning: internships with city and county offices, state agencies, non-profit organisations and political offices; participation in student-led groups and debates; and opportunities for service-learning and community-engaged projects. Students are encouraged to pair the major with complementary minors such as history, economics, criminal justice, or communication.

Entry requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent with a record of academic achievement; successful applicants typically present a transcript showing readiness for university-level study.
• Standardised test scores (such as ACT or SAT) may be considered where required by the university admissions office; prospective students should consult general university admissions guidance for testing policy.
• Applicants transferring from other institutions must provide official college transcripts and meet the university's transfer-credit policies; a minimum transferable GPA is commonly expected for direct admission to the major sequence.
• International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or approved alternatives in line with university-wide requirements.
• There are generally no programme-specific prerequisites beyond readiness for first-year university coursework, though introductory social-science or writing experience is helpful.

Career prospects

Graduates with a BA in Political Science and Government pursue a range of careers in public, private and non-profit sectors. Typical pathways include roles in local, state or federal government administration; policy analysis and research; legislative staff work; campaign management and political consulting; advocacy and non-profit leadership; and public affairs or communications for businesses and NGOs.

Many graduates use the degree as preparation for professional schools such as law, public policy or international affairs programmes. Additional options include journalism and media, intelligence and national security support roles, community development, and human resources or compliance positions in regulated industries. Practical experience gained through internships and capstone projects helps with employer recruitment and graduate-school applications.

Why study at Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State offers a small-campus learning environment with accessible faculty who teach both introductory and advanced political science courses. The department places emphasis on applied learning—students have ready access to internships with local and regional public-sector employers, opportunities for undergraduate research, and community-engagement projects that connect classroom theory to real-world practice.

The university’s location in Kansas provides proximity to state government institutions and regional civic organisations, which supports networking and experiential placements. Students benefit from extracurricular activities such as student government, debate and political clubs, pre-law advising, and study-abroad options that expand understanding of global politics. Advising and career services assist majors with internship placement, graduate-school planning and employment preparation.

Overall, the programme is designed to deliver a rigorous liberal-arts foundation in political science while giving students practical skills in analysis, communication and civic engagement that employers and graduate programmes value.