Political Science — Bachelor of Arts

QUICK FACTS

Credential:
Bachelor's degree

Duration:
4 years

Options:
Major, Minor, Extended Minor

Start date:
September, January, May

Location:
Abbotsford campus

Cost:
(Details)

FEATURES:

Co-op semester(s) provide paid work experience in your field of study
Study abroad to gain a global education
Opportunity to participate in debates, discussions, and round table forums in a supportive and safe environment.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A Bachelor of Arts with a Political Science major, minor or extended minor offers a range of lower and upper-level courses focusing on the fields of Canadian politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.

Political Science major

UFV's Political Science major is designed to provide you with valuable skills in writing, communications, critical thinking, research, problem solving, and more.

In year one and two, you learn foundational skills in political science history and theory, statistical analysis, and research methodology. In year three and four, you round out your knowkedge by investigating relevant special topics and issues such as international relations, human rights, and public policy.

The Political Science major requires the completion of 18-19 lower-level credits and 30 upper-level credits. If you have research interests you can apply one Political Science Directed Independent Studies course towards your degree.

Political Science extended minor or minor

A minor or extended minor in Political Science allows you to customize your degree as you work towards a major, extended minor, or minor in another discipline within the College of Arts. For both the extended minor and minor, you can apply a maximum of one Directed Independent Studies course towards your degree.

Requirements for the Political Science extended minor include:

15 lower-level and at least 15 upper-level credits from Political Science (POSC) courses

Requirements for the Political Science minor include:

9 lower-level and at least 15 upper-level credits from Political Science (POSC) courses

Additional opportunities

Political Science students can capitalize on work-study, co-op, volunteer or internship opportunities that are available locally, nationally and globally through UFV, or external programs such as student work programs available on Parliament Hill. Graduates can apply for the BC Legislative Internship Program, and the Parliamentary Internship Program with the provincial and federal governments.

All students within the College of Arts are eligible to study abroad after completing 30 credits at UFV.

Throughout your studies, you are also encouraged to learn and demonstrate social responsibility through both civic and intercultural engagement in coursework and relevant, paid or volunteer experience.

CAREER EXPECTATIONS

A political science degree can lead to a career with a political party or government organization. You may also enjoy a career as a journalist, policy advisor, public administrator, or campaign manager. Or you may work in a field such as international relations, advocacy, education, or labour relations.

A degree in Political Science provides you with skills, such as critical thinking, communications, and statistical analysis, that can help you succeed in law or business. In fact, many grads continue their studies to earn a law degree.

WorkBC is forecasting an increased demand for professional social scientists to work in large private sector organizations, in areas such as government relations, research, or policy analysis. This increase is predicted to spring both from current workers retiring and from new jobs created.