Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Political Science

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Public Administration)

The discipline offers a broad range of courses that permit specialization in American government and politics, international politics and comparative politics, and public administration. Individual programs combining the required 33 credit hours of political science courses with related courses from other disciplines enable students to prepare for different careers.

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science offers traditional preparation for law school. The option in Public Administration combines general knowledge, administrative concepts, and skills courses in a curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in public agencies.

Political science faculty support the development of a sound liberal arts foundation and appropriate pre-professional skills for all majors. Courses are designed to further the understanding of the institutions and processes of government and the behavior of decision-makers to promote awareness of the perennial questions of political inquiry and the concepts useful in responding to them and to develop analytical skills.

Program map

    • Successfully complete PSC 1100 American National Government and PSC 2223 Intro to Political Science
    • Attend events sponsored by the Political Science program and CHASE
    • Meet with the Political Science Program Faculty
    • Join Mock Trial or Pre-Law Society
    • Attend the Career Expo to familiarize yourself with possible career and internship options
    • Attend events sponsored by the Political Science program and CHASE
    • Attend the Career Expo to familiarize yourself with possible career and internship options
    • Meet with your academic advisor in the First and Second-Year Success Center to track your degree progress
    • Declare a Minor such as Forensic Studies, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or Sociology
    • Meet with the Political Science Program Faculty
    • Begin exploring graduate programs and internships
    • Attend events sponsored by the Political Science program and CHASE
    • Continuing researching potential graduate programs
    • Take the GRE or LSAT
    • Research workforce opportunities; visit Career Services to locate and apply for internships (Not Required)
    • Intern for the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus through the CSU Capital Internship Program (Not Required)
    • Meet with your Academic Advisor from the Political Science Program
    • Attend events sponsored by the Political Science program and CHASE
    • Meet with your Academic Advisor from the Political Science Program to prepare for graduation
    • Complete graduation requirements
    • Retake the GRE, LSAT if necessary
    • Apply to graduate school in early fall; most grad programs have December deadlines for funding
    • Successfully complete PSC Senior Capstone
    • Apply for jobs in the workforce; continue internships and networking
    • Degree Awarded
    • Completion of all requirements for next steps (graduate school or workforce)
    • Visit CSU during homecoming and mentor undergraduate Political Science students.

As a discipline, political science is divided into areas of study based on the subject matter. At Central State, political science courses are placed in the following groupings: American National Government and Political Theory (PSC 1100, PSC 2223, PSC 3304, 3351, PSC 3353, PSC 3361, PSC 3362, PSC 3365, PSC 3381); Public Administration (PSC 1120, PSC 3310, PSC 3390, PSC 4403, PSC 4493); and Comparative Politics and International Relations (PSC 2202, PSC 2205, PSC 2405, PSC 3311, PSC 3371). Students use these groupings to select their three areas of study.

Ms. Brittany Brake, Assistant Professor
Charles H. Wesley Arts and Science Building 
Room 323
bbrake@centralstate.edu