Benedictine University

What you'll study

The programme combines core courses in American government and comparative politics with classes in international relations, public policy, political theory and research methods. You will study subjects such as constitutional law, political behaviour, campaign politics, public administration, human rights, global security and quantitative and qualitative research techniques.

Typical modules and learning experiences include:

• Foundations of Government and Politics: introduction to political concepts and institutions.
• American National Government and Constitutional Law: branches of government, federalism and civil liberties.
• Comparative Politics: political systems, regimes and electoral structures across regions.
• International Relations and Global Politics: diplomacy, international organisations and security studies.
• Public Policy and Administration: policy formulation, implementation and impact evaluation.
• Research Methods and Data Analysis: statistics for political science, research design and empirical methods.
• Political Theory and Ethics: classical and contemporary political thought and normative questions.
• Capstone or Senior Seminar: a major research project, often supervised by a faculty member, integrating coursework and original analysis.
• Experiential learning opportunities: internships with government offices, non-profits or campaigns; community-based projects; and study-abroad options that enhance practical understanding of politics.

Students can tailor the degree with electives and minors—common complements include law, economics, international studies, communications and history. Faculty mentoring and writing-intensive courses emphasise oral presentation and policy writing skills.

Entry requirements

Benedictine seeks applicants with a solid academic record and demonstrated interest in civic engagement or related activities. Typical requirements include a completed secondary school qualification or equivalent, a transcript showing steady academic performance, and evidence of coursework in social studies or related subjects.

For transfer applicants, college transcripts from previous institutions are required and transfer credit is assessed on a course-by-course basis. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or prior education in English, and provide credential evaluations where applicable.

Other application materials often expected are a personal statement outlining academic and career goals, letters of recommendation and a résumé or summary of extracurricular involvement. Admissions decisions also consider demonstrated leadership, volunteer work, internships and civic participation.

Career prospects

Graduates with a political science degree from Benedictine pursue a wide range of career paths in the public, private and non-profit sectors or continue to graduate and professional schools. Common roles and directions include:

• Public service: staff positions in local, state or federal government, legislative aides, policy analysts and public administrators.
• Law and legal support: preparation for law school, paralegal roles, or positions in legal advocacy organisations.
• Non-profit and advocacy organisations: programme coordination, fundraising, policy advocacy and community outreach.
• Campaigns and political consulting: campaign management, communications, voter outreach and polling analysis.
• International organisations and diplomacy: work with NGOs, international agencies or in international development and human rights.
• Research and analysis: think tanks, research institutes, media and polling organisations requiring strong analytical and writing skills.
• Business and private sector roles: corporate public affairs, government relations and compliance.

Career services at the university support internships, employer connections and graduate school advising to help students transition from study to the workforce.

Why study at Benedictine University

Benedictine University offers a small campus environment where class sizes allow direct faculty interaction and personalised academic advising. The political science programme emphasises ethical leadership and civic engagement, reflecting the university's liberal arts tradition and Benedictine values.

Students benefit from experiential learning options including internships in the nearby metropolitan area, community engagement projects and study-abroad programmes that broaden practical political experience. Faculty members combine scholarly expertise with practitioner connections, helping students build professional networks in government, non-profit and policy sectors.

Support services such as career counselling, pre-law advising and writing centres help students prepare competitive applications for graduate study and professional employment, while the curriculum's focus on research, writing and oral communication prepares graduates for a variety of career trajectories.