Unlock your political potential and use it to improve society.

By studying various topics – from governmental systems to international relations to political behaviors – you will not only learn how the political sphere operates, but you will also make yourself valuable to future employers. Through your bachelor’s degree in political science program, you will learn all about diplomacy, strategy, international politics, political theory, and much more. But it doesn’t stop there. With a political science degree, you can venture into almost any career field with better researching, writing, and public speaking skills. You don’t have to become a big-time politician; you just have to take the next step. After graduating with your bachelor’s in political science, you will be set to make your mark on society. This could be the place where it all starts.

Anchor: Stats
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your political science bachelor's degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree in political science. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog

General Education Requirements

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the bachelor's in political science program at Cumberlands is to teach you the structures and policies of government to prepare you to work in both politics and other areas. Through this program, you will gain:

Understanding of political institutions and processes, both national and international.
Awareness of the inevitability of power and politics in human affairs.
Ability to think critically about the proper role of government, both in its range and limits.
Appreciation for the relationship between a vibrant democracy and your role as an active, informed citizen.
Fundamental skills necessary for successful professional lives beyond college.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Political Science Careers & Outcomes

*All statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics

Political Scientist: $122,510

Political Scientist: $122,510

Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They research political ideas and analyze governments, policies, political trends, and related issues. 

Professor: $79,640

Professor: $79,640

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books. 

Lawyer: $127,990

Lawyer: $127,990

Lawyers, also called attorneys, research the intent of laws and judicial decisions and determine whether they apply to the specific circumstances of their client’s case. They act as both advocates and advisors for one party in a criminal (offense against the state or the nation) or civil (matters between individuals or organizations) proceeding. 

News Analyst: $48,370

News Analyst: $48,370

News analysts, reporters, and journalists keep the public updated about current events and noteworthy information. They report international, national, and local news for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and radio. 

Historian: $63,940

Historian: $63,940

Historians conduct research and analysis for governments, businesses, individuals, nonprofits, historical associations, and other organizations. They use a variety of sources in their work, including government and institutional records, newspapers, photographs, interviews, films, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries, letters, and other primary source documents. They also may process, catalog, and archive these documents and artifacts. 

Operations Research Analyst: $82,360

Operations Research Analyst: $82,360

Operations research analysts may be involved in many aspects of an organization. For example, they may help managers decide how to allocate resources, develop production schedules, oversee the supply chain, and set prices.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

Political science is a social science focused on governments and systems of power and the analysis of laws and political activities, thoughts, and behaviors. There are a wide range of subdisciplines, such as political economy, international relations, and public policy and administration. Political science shares methodology with other social sciences, like history, psychology, and behavioral science. This allows you to take classes in your area of interest during your political studies. Political science degree programs vary, but generally cover topics such as political theory, international politics, government administration, and diplomacy.

As a political science major at Cumberlands, you will survey the major concepts, issues, and controversies in political science.  Whether you are pursuing a poli-sci minor or a bachelor’s degree in political science, you’ll explore public policy, constitutional law, political theory, comparative government, American foreign policy, the presidency, and Congress. With a poli-sci degree, you will be well prepared to begin a new career or further your studies in graduate school. 

A lot, actually. Career opportunities for those with a political science degree are numerous. Many graduates with a political science major gain work in government as elected officials or in many other capacities, including lobbyists.  

Reasoning, interpreting, analyzing, reading comprehension, pattern recognition, public speaking, problem solving – the skills you’ll gain through a political science degree are highly valued by employers in virtually any industry. 

There are plenty of alternative career options that will still utilize what you learned in your political science bachelor's degree. Here are just a few:  

  1. Lawyer 
  1. Journalist 
  1. Business Owner 
  1. Teaching 
  1. FBI Officer 
  1. Foreign Service Officer 
  1. Ambassador 
  1. Historian 
  1. CIA Intelligence Specialist 

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation. For more information on how affordable this bachelor's degree in political science would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Political Science

Learn more about the political science professors you will interact with. 

Catherine Ball

Catherine Ball, JD

Assistant Professor
History

Catherine Ball, JD

Contact Information

catherine.ball [at] ucumberlands.edu
Bennett Building
Dr. Michael Spurlock

Dr. Michael Spurlock

Adjunct Professor
History

Dr. Michael Spurlock

Contact Information

michael.spurlock [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
Charles Melvin Smith

Dr. Chuck Smith

Professor
History

Dr. Chuck Smith

Contact Information

chuck.smith [at] ucumberlands.edu
Bennett Building

Request Information

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