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Political Science, B.A.

College of Arts and Sciences

Prepare for a legal or political career by studying near the seat of South Carolina’s state government, complete with opportunities to get involved now.

Political science is ideal for students who plan to work in public service, law or other careers involving leadership and analytical skills. In addition to taking a wide range of courses, you'll have opportunities for internships and research to gain a deep understanding of politics and the forces that drive society.

Program Highlights

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    Real Experiences

    Get experience in government or a related field while earning course credit through an internship with support from the department.

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    In-Demand Skills

    Learn to communicate effectively about complex ideas, and gain understanding of a wide variety perspectives.

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    Specializations

    Tailor your course of study to your specific interests, from politics and government to the influence of law in aspects of society.

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    Career Options

    Join our alumni and go on to a promising career in law and/or politics as well as public service, government or private industries.

What You’ll Study

Gain proficiency in critical thinking, writing and analysis of politics, government and the forces that drive society. Specialize in an area that interests you with our flexible course requirements. For an edge in pursuing future graduate studies, our intensive major offers additional coursework and a research project culminating in a senior thesis.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Analytical Reasoning

    Breaking down complex problems or situations to identify patterns, connections and solutions

    Evaluate Policies

    Examining their impact and effectiveness in achieving specific goals or objectives

    Communication

    Exchanging information and ideas through speaking, writing or other means of expression

  • Research

    Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

    Writing

    Creating professional written content for inclusion in scholarly journal articles, books and reports

    Critical Thinking

    Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

  • Researcher
  • Analyst
  • Administrator
  • Coordinator
  • Representative
  • Lawyer

Workplace Settings

  • Government
  • Military
  • Nonprofits
  • Business
  • Education
  • Law

As an incoming political science major, I could think of no better place to pursue my education than in the heart of politics in South Carolina, the city of Columbia. Less than a five-minute walk from key government buildings, a hands-on opportunity in the political arena is not hard to find!

Bakari Jackson
Portrait of Bakari Jackson

Is USC Right For You?

There are many reasons we could be your ideal university. There's the award-winning academics, the globally modeled student life, and abundance of study abroad and experiential learning options. Take a closer look at what USC could mean for you.

Degree content is provided for informational purposes only. The Academic Bulletin is the source of record for all degree information.
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