“Politics without history has no roots; history without politics bears no fruits,” said historian and professor Dirk Lange in his article “Between Political History and Historical Politics: Fundamental Forms of Historical and Political Literacy.”
Studying political science provides professionals with a highly versatile foundation in history, critical thinking, law and government, marketing, public relations, communication and more. There are many benefits to studying political science, according to Indeed. These include understanding the citizen-state relationship, keeping up with political concepts and events, excelling in international relations, grasping social and political trends, conducting political analysis, practicing ethics and justice and much more.
An undergraduate degree in political science prepares students to embark on many career paths, advanced degree programs and professional directions. Students in the Arkansas State University (A-State) Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science online program gain a diverse set of skills that honor areas of study (like public service, diplomacy, law and more) that are critical in a number of professional spaces.
Debunking Myths
There is a widespread belief that undergraduate degrees in the humanities cannot prepare individuals to have fulfilling, well-paying careers. Humanities graduates beg to differ, however. A Washington Post article highlights Erika Hagberg, director of global sales for Google, who credits her “wide-ranging liberal arts education with preparing her for a demanding business career.”
Harvard Business Review offers additional insight in its article titled “Yes, Employers Do Value Liberal Arts Degrees.” Findings by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) as part of AAC&U’s Liberal Education and America’s Promise initiative signaled that “employers overwhelmingly endorse broad learning and cross-cutting skills as the best preparation for long-term career success. The college learning outcomes they rate as most important are oral communication, critical thinking, ethical judgment, working effectively in teams, written communication, and the real-world application of skills and knowledge.” Most of these skills are developed in a liberal arts education, which fosters the broad learning that employers value.
The Foundations of a Political Science Degree
Coursework in A-State’s online B.A. in Political Science program provides graduates with the skills necessary to affect change in local, national and international spaces. Students in the program master a combination of skills in communication, critical thinking, negotiation, political analysis and relationship building.
Political science intersects with a handful of other disciplines. Students interested in a double major can pair the B.A. in Political Science with other undergraduate A-State programs like the B.A. in Communication Studies, B.A. in Criminology, B.A. in Sociology and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
What Jobs Can I Get With a B.A. in Political Science?
While a bachelor’s in political science equips you with crucial skills for the workforce, the degree is particularly helpful in preparing you for advanced study in any number of disciplines. For example, graduates of A-State’s online program with a focus in political science might become one of the following:
- Campaign manager
- Lobbyist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Paralegal
- Recruiter
Many of these jobs require further education and certification. However, the versatility of a B.A. in Political Science prepares graduates to go any in many professional directions.
An undergraduate degree in the humanities and the liberal arts sets students up for success in the working world, given the soft and hard skills learned. For those interested in understanding the influence of government and policy, a degree in political science might be a great fit.
Learn more about A-State’s online B.A. in Political Science program.