About

Political Science majors are prepared for many careers in the private and public sector – including business, law, government at all levels, journalism, political campaigns, interest groups and more. Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree has a strong liberal arts focus, including a foreign language requirement.

Students who choose this degree receive an interdisciplinary approach to political science with a flexible program of study, which is great for tailoring your education to fit graduate school plans. This approach takes advantage of the broad range of faculty expertise in the Department of Government and Justice Studies. Students also are encouraged to participate in national, state and local politics, and many pursue an internship in Washington, D.C., or North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh. The department also offers a Master of Arts in Political Science.

After Graduation

Employment: Most students start jobs right after graduation. Recent employers include:

• The White House
• The United States Senate
• The Brady Campaign
• The Office of the Vice President of the United States
• Friends Committee on National Legislation
• The Nexus Fund

Graduate school: Some students continue their education at Appalachian State University or other institutions such as: George Washington University, Pennsylvania State University and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Career Exploration website

People

• 

  Alumnus Profile: Tommy Wrenn ’14

  Tommy Wrenn has worked as a development professional in Washington, D.C., fundraising for organizations connected to the environment and addressing climate change — an issue he describes as a “personal passion.”

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  Alumnus Profile: Dr. Zaphon Wilson ’76 ’77

  Dr. Zaphon Wilson is dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and professor of political science at Saint Augustine’s University. While teaching at Appalachian, he was instrumental in the university’s early diversity efforts.

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  Program Faculty: Dr. Hye-Sung Kim

  “I am very excited about working with students at App State because of their openness and interest in learning about the world and politics beyond the United States. This means I get to do what I truly enjoy — doing field research abroad and collecting my own data — in collaboration with my students.”

  – Dr. Hye-Sung Kim, assistant professor of political science

Related Programs

• Political Science (BS) - American Politics
• Political Science (BS) - International and Comparative Politics
• Political Science (BS) - Public Administration

Minors

A minor is required. Popular minors include:

• Philosophy
• Communications
• Sociology
• Foreign Language
• History

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

• Appalachian State University College Republicans — The leading voice for conservatives on campus. All new members are welcome at meetings held Wednesday nights. 
• Appalachian State University College Democrats — The group for liberal students on campus. New members are welcome at meetings held Tuesday nights.
• App State YAL — Division of the North Carolina Libertarian Party. The group is a chapter of the national campus activist organization known as the Young Americans for Liberty.

Global Learning

App State is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.