Colorado State University’s B.A. in Political Science explores how politics, policy, and power shape the world at local, national, and global levels. Students investigate how governments operate, public policies are developed, and political ideas and institutions influence society. Through coursework centered on discussion, research, and analysis, students build skills in evaluating political systems and engaging with contemporary issues. The degree offers a flexible academic foundation for understanding governance, public decision-making, and political life in a range of contexts.
This degree can be completed as an accelerated option in 3-3.5 years.
Degree Requirements
The B.A. in Political Science is designed to give students a strong foundation in the discipline and the flexibility to shape their own academic path. Students begin with core coursework that introduces the major fields of political science, including political theory, American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and public policy. From there, they build on this foundation through upper-division courses that allow for deeper exploration of specific topics and questions that interest them.
A key feature of the degree is its interdisciplinary structure. Students are required to explore outside the department with a minor or second field of study, encouraging them to connect political science with areas such as economics, history, environmental studies, communication, or related disciplines. This approach helps students broaden their perspective and develop complementary skills alongside their political science coursework.
The program also includes a culminating capstone experience, where students engage in advanced, focused study of a political issue through reading, research, and analysis. Throughout the major, students have considerable flexibility in their coursework, allowing them to explore different areas of interest while building a coherent understanding of how political systems and public decisions shape society.
For a detailed description of university, college and departmental requirements as well as course descriptions, please consult the current Colorado State University catalog.
Alumni Stories
Political Science alum Rachel Pratt (B.A. ’23) is an associate at Venn Strategies in Washington, D.C., where she works in government relations and public affairs supporting policy and regulatory advocacy. During her time at CSU, she participated in the Colorado Legislative Internship and also interned with U.S. Representative Joe Neguse and worked as a research assistant focused on human rights and policy analysis. She credits these experiences with building the research, writing, and analytical skills that now shape her work in federal health policy and advocacy.
https://magazine.libarts.colostate.edu/article/from-classroom-to-capitol/
In his role as a Climate Adaptation and Water Resources Planner at Denver Water, Aidan Lyde (B.A. ’23) focuses on helping communities prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change on water systems and public resources. His time at CSU included a research assistant role through a CSU Extension internship with the Community Networks in Fire-Environment Resilience (CoNIFER) Project, where he contributed to applied environmental research and policy work.
