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Political Science

We are a vibrant department composed of three different programs. We offer a Bachelor's in Political Science Degree, a Master's in International Relations Degree (MSIR), and a Master's in Public Administration Degree (MPA).

Programs Scholarships and Careers Research Faculty FAQs Resources

About the Department

The Department of Political Science offers a comprehensive and flexible academic experience, catering to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees both on-campus and online. Housed in the College of Arts and Humanities, we provide a robust curriculum designed to equip students with the analytical and practical skills necessary for careers in law, government, international relations, public administration and more.

Featured Programs

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Political Science Bachelor's

Whether you're dreaming of a future in law, American and world politics, public administration or international relations, these respected faculty members will not only bring expertise to their classrooms, they will also help you build your resume to be competitive when you graduate.

Political Science Bachelor's
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Bachelor's Accelerated Law Track

This unique program allows you to earn both your bachelor's and law degree in just six years versus the traditional seven. After completing all program requirements, including earning a legal studies minor, you'll have the opportunity to apply to one of our partner law schools.

Bachelor's Accelerated Law Track
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Public Administration Master's

At TROY, you'll develop your abilities to manage people, places and budgets within a global context, training to become an impactful, effective public leader in the United States and abroad.

Public Administration Master's
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International Relations Master's

When you earn TROY's M.S. in international relations degree, you'll follow in the footsteps of graduates like John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the White House; Richard Wyatt, deputy division chief at Joint Staff, and retired NASA astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris.

International Relations Master's
All Programs

Scholarships

Last year, TROY awarded more than $20M in scholarships. There are several scholarship available to students studying political science including the and the
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Careers

Careers for majors in Political Science are thriving. These include: 
  • Law (about 20% of all law students majored in political science)
  • Government and Public Administration
  • Military Service
  • International Organizations
  • Political Organizations
  • Journalism
The American Political Science Association (APSA) provides helpful information for careers in political science:

Center for Eastern and Central European Russian and Eurasian Studies (CECERES) as a Research Hub

The Center for Eastern and Central European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at Troy University is a leading institution dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of the political, cultural, and economic dynamics in Eastern and Central Europe, Russia, and Eurasia. With a focus on interdisciplinary research and academic excellence, the Center offers students and scholars opportunities to engage with key global issues such as security, diplomacy, and international relations. The Center's programs include expert faculty, specialized courses, and events designed to foster dialogue and collaboration among students, policy professionals, and academics. Located in a vibrant academic community, the Center is committed to producing cutting-edge research that informs policy and contributes to a deeper understanding of the region's global significance.

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Meet the Faculty

Our faculty are specialists in many different areas and are extremely well-published. Many of our faculty members are consulted by media when they need experts. For example, our faculty have been interviewed by the BBC, ABC News, NBC News, CNN and many other media outlets.

Our Team
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the program requirements for the Political Science Bachelor's?
The Political Science Major is a 36 hour course of study containing two department specific general studies courses, three department specific core courses, three core courses from American Government, International Relations, and Public Administration concentrations, and eighteen more hours from any upper level Political Science courses available.

What are the program requirements for the MPA and MSIR?
Unconditional Admission: 
Applicants may be admitted unconditionally if they meet the following requirements:
  1. Hold a master's or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution. No test score is required. An official transcript showing completion of a master's or higher degree is required. 
OR
  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 GPA on the last 30
    semester hours. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the GPA. All transcripts from all colleges or universities attended are required
    AND
  2. Have an acceptable score on the appropriate entrance exam: GRE 294 (920 on the old exam) (verbal plus quantitative) or GMAT 490.
  3. The GRE/GMAT requirement may be waived under the following conditions:

  • If the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale)OR
  • If the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from Âé¶¹ÍøÕ¾Áбí with a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 on the last 30 semester hours. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the GPA.OR
  • If the applicant is an officer or senior NCO in the U.S. military in good standing and holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 on the last 30 semester hours. All transcripts from all colleges or universities attended are required.
Conditional Admission
Conditional admission may be granted under certain circumstances to applicants who cannot satisfy all unconditional admission requirements to the graduate program. 

When is the last day to apply/register/drop/etc.?
View TROY's Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines. 

Academic Calendar
Who can I speak to about program specific questions?
Email polisci@troy.edu is a great first point of contact! From there, we will be able to direct your questions to the correct person within our department.
I need to file a form and I can't find it/don't know which one.
Records has extensive knowledge regarding what type you should use and they also have access to it. Records can be contacted at 334-670-3170. If you wish to inquire about the location of a form that has already been submitted through the department, please call the departmental secretary.

Forms
How do I change my major?

The change of major form can be found on the records forms page.

Forms

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News

International flags wave in the wind outside Hawkins Hall on the Âé¶¹ÍøÕ¾Áбí campus.

Why Get an International Relations Degree?

Global politics and major world events have a far-reaching, long-lasting impact. Every day and on every continent, life is affected by economic globalization and pressing international issues such as climate change. As technology advances and the world gets smaller, there's more demand than ever for professionals — in all fields — with international knowledge and global expertise.

Contact

Dr. Richard Ledet
Interim Chair
polsci@troy.edu

Barbara Jeffrey
Departmental Secretary
334-670-5926
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