ROBERT SUMKHUU
“All of our professors are working professionals in their respective fields, ensuring that we receive a high-quality education with first-hand knowledge in all of our courses.”
Program Overview
Global policy is not shaped in the abstract—it is negotiated, enacted, and tested in Washington, D.C. The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations delivers the analytical rigor required to evaluate international power structures, interpret geopolitical shifts, and influence statecraft. Combining foundational political theory with practical policy analysis, the curriculum prepares future diplomats, intelligence analysts, and public leaders to navigate an increasingly complex international landscape.
Duration
4 Years
Flexible Schedule
Format ⓘ
In-person
On-Campus
Credits
120
Total credit hours
Transfer Credit
Up to 90
From accredited institutions
Average Class Size
18
Students per class
Your Journey Starts Here
A career in global affairs requires more than understanding international systems—it demands the command to shape them. Positioned steps from the White House, foreign embassies, and global financial institutions, Bay Atlantic University places students directly inside the operational center of international governance. Here, the city isn’t context—it is coursework.
01
NAVIGATING GLOBAL POLITICS
Understanding international power requires structural precision. The curriculum establishes mastery across comparative government, diplomatic protocol, international law, and conflict resolution. Students examine multilateral treaties, economic statecraft, and geopolitical alliances not as static historical texts, but as active mechanisms of modern foreign policy. You move beyond introductory theory to develop the analytical authority required to assess risk, brief decision-makers, and advise across complex global environments.
02
DIPLOMACY IN ACTION
Classrooms must reflect the diplomatic arena, not isolate you from it. Surrounded by federal agencies, international NGOs, and influential think tanks, students translate foreign policy models into practical statecraft. Coursework prioritizes real-time application: drafting policy memos, simulating crisis negotiations, analyzing intelligence reports, and modeling bilateral trade strategies. Every course is led by scholar-practitioners—including former diplomats and international policy advisors—ensuring academic instruction connects directly to active geopolitical practice.
03
LAUNCHING YOUR CAREER
Education should launch a global career, not delay it. Through applied capstone research, students address genuine international challenges—from multilateral security agreements to global human rights policy. Enriched by an international campus community representing more than 40 countries, graduates enter federal service, diplomatic missions, multinational corporations, and leading graduate programs equipped to advise leadership and drive measurable global impact.
Your Dream Career Awaits
At BAU, internship programs play a crucial role in linking political theory with professional practice. These experiences allow students to work with peers to develop critical policy analysis skills, enhance diplomatic communication, and address complex global governance and international relations challenges. Through the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Global Policy Institute, students have the opportunity to engage in high-level research, work with international policy experts through mentorship, and leverage experiential learning to launch impactful careers in public service and global affairs.
$142,080
2025 Median Pay*, Political Scientists
$136,470
2025 Median Pay*, Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
Other Career Opportunities: Foreign Service Officer • Legislative Assistant • Policy Advisor • Political Consultant • Intelligence Analyst • Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Director • Public Relations Specialist
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Explore Career ServicesTake the First Step
Program Curriculum
Comprehensive curriculum designed for real-world political and global challenges
120+
Credit Hours
40+
Courses
Tuition & Financial Aid
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Financial Aid Options
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Tuition Assistance
Up to $30,000
DMV Tuition Assistance
Up to 60%
Payment Plans
0% interest
Application Deadlines
Rolling admissions with multiple intake periods throughout the year. Domestic and transfer applications may continue to be reviewed after these deadlines on a rolling basis, subject to program availability. New students must complete registration by the census date for the applicable term; otherwise, they will not be eligible to register.
Open
Spring 2027
Start Date
January 19, 2027
Deadline to Apply
December 1, 2026
Coming Soon
Summer 2027
Start Date
June 1, 2027
Deadline to Apply
April 1, 2027
Future
Fall 2027
Start Date
August 18, 2027
Deadline to Apply
July 1, 2027
Hear From Our Student
Meet Your Program Chair
In this highly interconnected world, global leaders must think innovatively and act responsibly. Our faculty incorporates critical topics such as international diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, and global conflict resolution, preparing students to make strategic decisions aiming not only toward effective governance but also to make a positive, lasting impact on the global community and society.
Sean Michael Cox, Ph.D.
Chair of the Political Science and International Relations Department
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Political Science/International Relations, University of Delaware (1999)
RESEARCH FOCUS
Comparative Politics, with specializations in post-Soviet, Eastern European, Balkan, Turkish, and US politics
HIGHLIGHTS
-
- Senior Advisor at the Global Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based economics and international affairs think tank
- Served as Primary Investigator on numerous projects funded by public and private organizations, including USAID, the US Departments of Education and State, the European Commission, and NATO
Sean Michael Cox, Ph.D.
Chair of the Political Science and International Relations Department
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Political Science/International Relations, University of Delaware (1999)
RESEARCH FOCUS
Comparative Politics, with specializations in post-Soviet, Eastern European, Balkan, Turkish, and US politics
HIGHLIGHTS
-
- Senior Advisor at the Global Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based economics and international affairs think tank
- Served as Primary Investigator on numerous projects funded by public and private organizations, including USAID, the US Departments of Education and State, the European Commission, and NATO
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