Political Science, Bachelor's , Minor
Overview
If you're interested in a career in law, federal, state, and local government, business, international organizations, journalism, education, or any number of other areas, consider majoring in political science at DeSales University.
Political science students enjoy the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of political processes in the United States and abroad.
You will gain the analytical skills necessary to contribute to civic life in many ways, along with embodying what it means to be a responsible citizen in a democracy.
At DeSales, we provide Political Science student with marketable skills, particularly in combination with an internship and/or study abroad experience.
Political Science students can customize their majors with the following tracks:
- General Track — for students who want to learn a wide range of topics, applicable to many different careers.
- Pre-Law Track — for students interested in pursuing law school after they complete their bachelor degree.
- National Security Track — for students interested in a career in the public or private sector dealing with national security issues.
- STEP — for students interested in receiving a teacher certification.
The Political Science program at DeSales University has a lot to offer, including:
- the 3+3 Partnership Program with Duquesne School of Law.
- the Fund for American Studies internships in Washington, D.C.
- scholarly development in association with the Hertog Foundation.
- the DeSales Rome study abroad experience.
- Pi Sigma Alpha – the National Political Science Honor Society.
- a wide variety of courses, including American Government, International Relations, Constitutional Law, and Social Justice Policy.
Admissions Requirements
At DeSales, we not only look at your past academic achievement but also your potential for future growth to determine your admission.
We find that students who have demonstrated significant achievement within a demanding curriculum are best suited for academic life at DeSales. Quality of academic performance plays a critical role in the admissions decision making process. This helps indicate a student's potential for academic growth going forward. We welcome applications from all qualified students regardless of race, religion, sex, national, or ethnic origin.
Application Checklist
- Application Fee: None
- Transcripts: Official High School Transcript
- Standardized Tests: Test-optional, however, an Admissions Interview may be requested
- Recommendations: Completed Guidance Counselor Form and Teacher Recommendation Form
- Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program
All materials can be mailed to:
DeSales University Admissions Office
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA
* SAT scores are highly recommended for students applying for the Nursing and Health Science programs. Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program.
Additional recommendations
High School Academics - Remember, there is no single preferred high school academic program, but a college preparatory course of study is highly recommended. Here's an example:
- Four years of English
- Three or four years of college preparatory mathematics
- A minimum of two years of modern, foreign, or classical language
- At least two laboratory science courses
Visiting DeSales - A personal, on-campus interview is strongly recommended, but is not required. We encourage you to visit so that you'll have a chance to learn more about DeSales, and we'll have the opportunity to learn more about you, too.
Learn more about Undergraduate Admissions & Aid
When to Apply
We encourage you to apply early in your senior year. We use a rolling admissions system, which means you will be notified promptly about your admissions status—usually within four weeks of our receipt of your completed application.
Priority deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1 of your senior year.
Curriculum
Wherever your passion lies in the field of political science, you can choose to follow your interests in one of our specialized tracks.
The program's areas of focus include general political science, pre-law, and national security.
Political Science-General Track
Want to learn all that you can about political science? This track is recommended for students who wish to pursue a general program of political science, applicable to many different careers.
Political Science-Pre-Law
If you're interested in going to law school, a bachelor's in political science with an emphasis in pre-law will provide the foundation you need. Pre-law offers an overview of all types of law, the criminal justice system, and communication strategies to prepare you for studies in the legal profession. Past students have gone on to receive law degrees from Dickinson, Georgetown, Harvard, Notre Dame, Stanford and Villanova, among many others.
Political Science-National Security
If you're interested in a career in the public or private sector dealing with national security issues, the national security track offers the preparation you need. The track provides opportunities to attend various intelligence symposiums at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., and the Strategic Studies Institute at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Teacher Certification
Would you like to teach? Add on our STEP teacher certification program.
Academic Catalog
Graduation Requirements
View the graduation requirements and example schedule for this programFaculty
Careers & Internships
As a political science major at DeSales, you'll have access to exciting opportunities and internships to help prepare you for your career.
Shadowing Program
Freshmen & sophomores have the opportunity to spend a few days with selected employers in the Lehigh Valley during the spring semester. This allows you to discern your career goals in the early years of your education and gear the second half of your education toward these goals.
Some of the possible shadowing program employers include:
- Court of Common Pleas, Northampton Counter
- Fitzpatrick, Lentz & Bubba, P.C.
Internships
Apply your knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real-life situations in the workplace. With the aid of a faculty supervisor, you'll plan out internships that will help you achieve valuable experience for your career development.
Graduate School
The Political Science degree can prepare you well for graduate school. Graduates from our program have gone on to get their Master’s degrees at the Institute of World Politics and The Bush School of Government and Public Service, and more.
Political Science Internship Options
- The Fund for American Studies
- Donahue Law Firm
- U.S. Senator Robert Casey
- Turning Points of the Lehigh Valley
- Lehigh County Adult Probation
- PA State Lisa Boscola
- PA State Senator Pat Browne
Tuition & Fees
DeSales can help make your college expenses affordable through a combination of grants, loans, student employment, and scholarship resources.
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Cost of attendance for undergrads for 2024-2025
Resident Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Room and Board - $13,800
Mandatory Fees - $1,800
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $60,800 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Total cost for resident students: $67,116
Commuter Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $2,298
Total cost for commuter students: $57,122
Off-Campus*
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $9,192
Total cost for off-campus students: $64,016
*First-year students are required to reside on campus or commute from home.
Parking Fee - $100
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Dual Degree Undergraduate-to-Graduate Programs
If you are enrolled in an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program — for example a 5-year, 3+2, 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information.
The financial aid process may appear overwhelming at first glance, but don't worry, we'll help you through it.
Accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships upon receipt of a completed application and are awarded regardless of financial need. Funds for scholarships are limited, so we do encourage students to apply early.
Our comprehensive financial aid packages carefully explain the types and amounts of assistance —including federal, state, and institutional — that you may be eligible for to help cover education related expenses.
Total cost of attendance includes estimates for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal, transportation, and living expenses.
You can estimate your total cost of attendance with our Net Price Calculator
Crime Scene House
In a sleepy stone house on a quiet, rural street just South of campus, DeSales social science students are about to walk into a murder scene. Or a terrorist threat. Or a national disaster ...
Study Abroad
DeSales has an international experience for every student, every major, for every student athlete — we have something for everyone, no matter what.
We have many international agreements that allow you to study abroad for a semester at the same cost as your DeSales tuition, and you can use your financial aid!
Career Preparation from Day One
We're passionate about helping our students and alumni explore major and career options, find experiential education, and achieve post-graduation success in an evolving global world.
Thomas More Pre-Law Society
Thinking about attending law school as your next step after DeSales? Join the Thomas More Pre-Law Society for guidance. The group is designed to assist students interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession.
