BA Political Science at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The BA in Political Science focuses on political issues and problems, with faculty working across political ideas, American politics, comparative politics, international relations, public policy and law. Students may take part in faculty research and experiential learning such as internships, study abroad and service learning.

Faculty: College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Department: Department of Political Science | Study mode: full-time | Location: Amherst, MA, United States

What you will study

Broad introductory courses plus electives crossing subfields, such as Race and Politics, Global Justice, Protest and Dissent, Globalization, Governance and World Order, Environmental Policy, and regional courses on the US, Latin America, Russia and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa and the Caribbean.

Career pathways

Political science leads to careers in law, business, public affairs, policy analysis and nonprofit management.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-wide first-year (undergraduate) admission at UMass Amherst: Common Application including the UMass questions, official high school transcript (grades 9-11), official transcripts for any college coursework, one letter of recommendation, and a $90 application fee. SAT/ACT scores are optional. High school units: English 4; Mathematics 4 (Algebra II minimum, including math in senior year); Natural Science 3 (with labs); Social Science 2 (including one US history course); Foreign Language 2 of the same language; Electives 2. Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year applicants: the Common Application opens August 1; the Early Application deadline is November 5; the Regular Decision deadline is January 15; the FAFSA priority deadline is March 1.

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