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BA in Political Science and International Relations

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

 

COURSE DELIVERY METHOD DURATION TOTAL CREDITS TUITION PER YEAR*
ON CAMPUS 4 YEARS 120 $19,050
* For full-time course load students

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DEGREE DETAILS

The BA degree in Political Science & International Relations is earned by completing the program course requirements of 120 credit hours. Of these credit hours, 63 credits are major or core courses, 42 general education credits, and 18 pure elective credits. Students must meet their core requirements as well as their general education requirements. In addition, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Students enrolled in the undergraduate program must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.0 out of 4.0 to qualify for the BA degree, to remain in good standing, and to graduate.
2. The Maximum Time Frame (MTF) for completion of the BA program is 180 credits.
3. An undergraduate student may transfer up to 60 credit hours earned at accredited institutions.
4. No degree credit is received by an undergraduate for any failing grade (a grade less than D, or 1.00 out of 4.00 grade points).

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PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completing the program, students will be able to:

1. Identify and define major theories of political science and international relations.
2. Apply major theories of political science and international relations to real world issues.
3. Analyze the interdependence between political ideas and the reality of political processes in the modern world.
4. Appraise the role played by major actors in the political process and in international affairs.
5. Evaluate complex topics by formulating fact-based opinions and judgements in written and oral form.
6. Understand the use of data in political science and international relations analysis.
7. Demonstrate knowledge and capacity to engage in civic, social and political activities needed to be a responsible citizen.
8. Build an understanding of others whose identities, beliefs, behaviors, values and perspectives that differ from their own.

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COURSES IN THE DEGREE

Students must earn a total of 120 college credit hours to receive this degree. Of these credit hours, 60 credits are core courses, 42 general education credits, and 18 elective credits. Students must meet their core requirements as well as their general education requirements.

Pre-requisites and more information can be found in the academic catalog.

In addition, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Students enrolled in the undergraduate program must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.0 out of 4.0 to qualify for the BA degree, to remain in good standing, and to graduate.
  • The Maximum Time Frame (MTF) for completion of the bachelor’s program is 180 credit hours.
  • An undergraduate student may transfer up to 90 credit hours earned at accredited institutions.
  • No degree credit is received by an undergraduate for any failing grade (a grade less than D, or 1.00 out of 4.00-grade points)

POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:
COURSE LISTING

Core Requirements: 60 Credits

 

Course Code Course Name Pre Requisite Credit
ECON 101 Introduction to Microeconomics   3
ECON 111 Introduction to Macroeconomics   3
ECON 315 Political Economy ECON 101, ECON 111 3
ECON 353 Globalization and the World Economy ECON 101, ECON 111 3
INTL 161 United States Diplomatic History   3
INTL 257 International Relations   3
INTL 270 Global Public Health   3
INTL 272 United States Foreign Policy INTL 257 3
INTL 339 International Organizations INTL 257 3
INTL 348 Introduction to International Human Rights   3
INTL 354 International Development and Emerging Markets   3
INTL 370 Gender Development and Globalization   3
INTL 430 International Crisis Diplomacy   3
INTL 451 World Politics and World Order POLS 101 3
INTL 459 International Security   3
PHIL 200 Ethics   3
POLS 101 Introduction to Politics and Political Science   3
POLS 121 Government and Politics of the United States POLS 101 3
POLS 251 Introduction to Comparative Politics of Industrialized Societies POLS 101 3
POLS 380 Research and Methods in Political Science POLS 101 3

Electives: 18 Credits (Choose 6 Courses)

 

 

Course Code Course Name Pre Requisite Credit
INTL 300 Cybersecurity   3
INTL 340 Transnational Corporations   3
INTL 350 US and Europe INTL 272 3
INTL 351 US and the Middle East INTL 272 3
INTL 352 US and ASEAN INTL 272 3
INTL 353 US and BRIC INTL 272 3
INTL 355 Latin American Politics INTL 272 3
INTL 388 Transnational Threats   3
INTL 460 Global Immigration and Asylum Policy INTL 348 3
POLS 122 US Political History POLS 121 3
POLS 215 Political Ideologies POLS 101 3
POLS 253 Politics of Emerging Market Societies INTL 257 3
POLS 321 Political Parties in America POLS 121 3
POLS 335 Environmental Politics   3
POLS 210 Political Sociology   3
POLS 343 Public Policy   3
POLS 432 Religion and Politics   3
POLS 453 Political Behavior POLS 101 3
POLS 459 Global Perspectives on
Democracy		 INTL 348 3

* For detailed descriptions of each course, please visit the BAU 2024-2025 Academic Catalog.

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PROGRAM BENEFITS

The Political Science and International Relations Program at BAU benefits from being located in the heart of Washington, DC as students studying in the program not only receive instruction in courses that highlight all facets of the study of Political Science, but also have the opportunity to visit government institutions, think tanks, and research centers to see politics in action. Guest lecturers from government service, the policy community, lobbying firms, and non-governmental organizations enhance the learning experience by providing real world context to the ideas, concepts and issues which are studied in class. 

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The undergraduate program provides comprehensive education in Political Science & International Relations to further develop the knowledge and skills to prepare for a career in politics and international relations.

Students will qualify for jobs such as Foreign Service Officer, International Organizations Official, Political Consultant, Business and Trade Associations Officer, International Development Consultant, Local, State and Federal Government Official, and Corporate Communications Officer.

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READY TO APPLY?

 

  START DATE DEADLINE TO APPLY
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OUR PRACTITIONER-DRIVEN TEACHING
WILL PROVIDE YOU A REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

Bintou Lingani, Ph.D.

[email protected]

Bintou Lingani is the chair of the Department of Business and Economics at Bay Atlantic university, Washington, DC. She graduated with a Doctorate degree in International Economics and Development in 2019 from Howard University. Her research interest focuses on International Trade and Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa and less developed Countries in general. Her teaching journey began when she earned a teaching assistantship while pursuing her master’s at Howard University and she continued to work in academia ever since. Bintou Lingani’s professional philosophy revolves around constant learning in an encouraging environment. She uses her positive attitude, her tireless energy, and her expertise to empower students to reach new heights.

Sean Michael Cox wearing glasses and a blue shirt, smiling with arms crossed.

Sean Michael Cox, Ph.D.

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Sean Michael Cox, Ph.D., is the Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Bay Atlantic University. His area of academic expertise focuses on Comparative Politics and includes specializations in post-Soviet politics, Eastern European and Balkan Politics, Turkish politics, and US politics. Dr. Cox is a Senior Advisor at the Global Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based economics and international affairs think tank. During his career, he has served as Primary Investigator on numerous projects funded by a variety of public and private organizations including USAID, the US Departments of Education and State, the European Commission, NATO, and a number of foundations.

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Dr. Pipop Nuangpookka

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Dr. Pipop Nuangpookka is the Chair of Information Management Science Program and Director of Distance Education at BAU. He started teaching in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Cybersecurity disciplines in 2007. His research interests are Non-Destructive Method of Detecting Hardware Attack, PII Security Controls, Web Server Protection, and Bilingual Translator Programming. He is a co-author of scholarly papers published in the Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges/ACM digital library, including “Hardware-Tampering Security Risks in the Supply Chain” and “Fileless Malware and Programmatic Method of Detection.

Oonah Jaja-Wachuku wearing glasses, a green sweater, and a lanyard, smiling against a white background.

Oonah Jaja-Wachuku

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Oonah Jaja-Wachuku is the department chair of the General Education program at Bay Atlantic University. She is a double masters’ degree holder in the areas of International Business Management (MBA) and Multilingualism, Linguistics and Education (MA). She has over 10 years of teaching/instructing experience in different parts of the world. Oonah is passionate about teaching and learning and strives to bring creativity, new paradigms and processes to the practice of educating bright minds.
Ms. Jaja-Wachuku is a self-published author and blog writer – a reader, writer and lifelong learner.

Paolo von Schirach

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Paolo von Schirach was appointed President of the Global Policy Institute, GPI, in March 2016. He is also Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Bay Atlantic University BAU in Washington, DC. He served as Chair of PSIR from 2018 until June 2022. His GPI research and BAU teaching focus on contemporary world politics and economics, international trade, energy, competition policies, and the role of innovation in economics.

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