Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Program Overview
Bellarmine’s Political Science program prepares students to understand governments, public policy, and political systems in the United States and around the world. Through coursework in American government, political theory, international politics, and data analysis, students develop strong analytical, research, and communication skills that prepare them for careers in government, law, public policy, advocacy, and related fields.
Why study Political Science at Bellarmine?
Students explore political science both inside and outside the classroom through internships, study abroad programs, and student political organizations. The 120-hour curriculum combines legal, historical, social, and philosophical perspectives to give students a well-rounded understanding of political systems while preparing them for careers in government, law, policy, business, and many other fields.
Internships and Experiential learning
Build real-world experience through political and legal internships. Complement classroom study with opportunities like study abroad programs and student political club events. Gain practical insight into how political institutions, campaigns, and policy decisions operate in the real world.
Flexible Preparation for Many Paths
The program develops the whole person through legal, historical, social, and philosophical studies. Graduates build writing, communication, analytical, and data skills for careers in government, law, policy, campaigns, advocacy, and more.
“Bellarmine’s Political Science program is the reason why Bellarmine feels like home to me. Deciding to become a Political Science major was one of the best decisions I ever made because it is a flexible major and allows you to explore different topics and potentially do a double-major. You are also able to dive into your personal interests with professors that care about you and will help you meet your true potential.”
Kayla Martin ’19, Political Science graduate
50+
Study Abroad Opportunities
100%
Guaranteed Internship Opportunities
12:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Program Highlights
The Political Science program educates students in the areas of American government, law, political theory, international politics, and research methodology. Students acquire knowledge about the variety of approaches adopted within the discipline of political science and their interaction. The program encourages political participation through internships and extracurricular activities and prepares students for graduate school, law school, and careers in government and many other related professions in which an understanding of politics and the political system is needed.
What is Political Science?
Political science is the study of governments, public policies, and political processes, systems, and behavior. Political science subfields include political theory, political philosophy, political ideology, political economy, policy studies and analysis, comparative politics, international relations, and a host of related fields.
Political scientists use both humanistic and scientific perspectives and tools and a variety of methodological approaches to examine the process, systems, and political dynamics of all countries and regions of the world. Political science students gain the writing, communication, analytical, and data skills that are valued in a wide spectrum of potential careers.
From the American Political Science Association
Bellarmine graduates of the Political Science program go on to almost every imaginable occupation, including federal, state, and local government, the military, law, political campaigns, fundraising, political advocacy, public policy, international organizations, teaching, finance, public relations, coaching, business, advertising, and higher education administration.
Recent graduates have pursued graduate degrees at Asbury University, Auburn University, Bellarmine University, Columbia University, George Mason University, Hebrew Union College, Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana Wesleyan University, Johns Hopkins University, London School of Economics and Political Science, Loyola University (Chicago), Morehead State University, Nagoya University (Japan), Ohio University, Rutgers University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southern College of Optometry, Spalding University, University of Cincinnati, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Dallas, University of Edinburgh (Scotland), University of Kentucky, University of Leeds (England), University of Louisville, University of Melbourne (Australia), University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Tennessee, Wake Forest University, and Xavier University.
Graduates have gone to law schools at the University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, Northern Kentucky University, St. Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana University-Indianapolis, University of Cincinnati, University of Illinois Chicago, Loyola University New Orleans, Marquette University, University of Colorado, Lewis & Clark, University of Miami, George Mason University, UCLA, University of Vermont, Ohio State University, Stetson University, Emory University, and the University of Notre Dame.
Political Science Outstanding Graduates:
2007: Daniel B. Elliott
2008: Addie Erwin
2009: Danielle Reesor Blandford
2010: Rachel Bledsoe Albritton
2011 (Fall): Kasey Fehler Simpson
2011 (Spring): Bethany Morse
2012: Benjamin Siegel
2013: Aaron Williams
2014: Wesley Scott
2015: Angela London
2016: Patrick Griffo
2017: Thomas Gunnar Kehrt-Reese
2018: Alexandria Thompson
2019: Kayla Martin
2020: Emily Compton
2021: Allie Moore
2022: Aubrey Kirchhoff
2023: Megan Burger
2024: Cole Taylor
2025: Norah Wulkopf
Recent graduates who are elected officials:
Daniel B. Elliott, Representative, Kentucky Legislature, House District 54
Bellarmine students participate in a wide variety of internships with law firms, organizations, businesses, government, and political campaigns, both nationally in Washington, D.C., and internationally.
“My legal internship at Bellarmine helped shape the path that led me to where I am today. The internship was my first real-life glimpse into what the legal world entails. I had a chance to learn about legal research, client interviews, court proceedings, and so much more. My internship was the final stepping stone for me to decide if I wanted to apply to law school. It was a long road through law school, exams, and eventually the bar exam, but today I’m a prosecutor and I have the pleasure of helping victims of crimes every day that I step into the courtroom. I will always be thankful for my first and ‘final stepping stone.’ –Ajla Hakalovic (2014)
National Honor Society: The Political Science program has membership in the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society for students who qualify and wish to join.
Pre-Law Society: An organization geared to students who plan to attend law school upon completion of their undergraduate program. Its goal is to prepare students for law school admission through on-site law school visits, interviews with law school representatives, LSAT mock exams, guest lecturers discussing careers in the field of law, and other extracurricular activities.
English-Speaking Union Scholarships at Bellarmine: Political Science majors have been recipients of this award. The students who received this scholarship studied at the University of Oxford (England) during the summer.
Political Science Club: Exists to foster political participation with majors and non-majors alike. It is non-partisan and believes in open discussion and focuses on educating students on civic duties, such as voting, volunteering, and grassroots organization.
College Democrats of Bellarmine University: Exists to enhance students’ participation in the political process, engage in political action, increase political knowledge, and support the ideals of the Democratic Party.
College Republicans of Bellarmine: Exists to foster Republican Party values at the local, state, and national levels. The organization helps to foster community involvement, political awareness, and political activism, both on campus and in outside communities.
Libertarian Club: Engages people with the basic principles of libertarianism, including individualism, independence, and self-interest and expands upon these principles in different contexts.
Bellarmine Foreign Affairs Society: Seeks to facilitate the learning and understanding of international affairs, foreign policy, and diplomacy on campus and to create a community among those at Bellarmine interested in international affairs and those with prospects for a career in international affairs.
Contact
Joy M. Jacobs-Lawson
Division Chair of Social Sciences
jjacobslawson@bellarmine.edu
(502) 272-7901
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