What Does It Look Like To Study Political Science at Concordia?
The Political Science program at Concordia University Texas is a unique type of program for a unique type of student. Based on feedback from academics, government agencies and private industry, the major prepares students to enter the complex, 21st-century field of political science.
Concordia's Political Science program is committed to:
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Developing students inside and outside of the classroom
The degree program equips students with five transferable skills:
- Understanding of political processes
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Leadership
- Political craft
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Helping students learn through experience
Students will have many opportunities to get involved in hands-on and group experiences where they can learn through service, competitions, travel and political activities.
Due to the multitude of opportunities, few places are better suited for the study of politics than Austin, the state capital of Texas.
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Less emphasis on memorization, more emphasis on student development
Today's students can access more information on their phone than a large library would have contained 20 years ago. With this in mind, the political science program focuses on teaching students how to find and manage information, not just memorize and recall it.
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Relevance and utility
Students are taught concepts that are fundamental to the discipline and can be applied to real-world issues.
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Concordia's mission
In pursuit of Concordia's mission, the program seeks to help students navigate a secular world while retaining their Christian ideals and engaging in critical thought, compassionate action, and courageous leadership.
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Rigorous curriculum
Concordia's Political Science degree is not for everyone. Students are required to complete a number of activities outside the classroom; read and analyze considerable amounts of texts, data, and information; and successfully propose, research, and defend a thesis.
Program Overview
The main objectives of this program are to:
- Provide the mastery and literacy required for political, academic and/or legal practitioners.
- Significantly enhance students' awareness of global, national and local challenges.
- Foster a basis of Christian ethics, leadership and justice to accompany students' roles as engaged and active citizens.
Political Science Curriculum Overview
The BA in Political Science from Concordia University Texas will prepare graduates to be professionally literate in the fields of law, politics, research, leadership and analytical reasoning. In this degree, there are 43 hours of required coursework that includes:
- Political science courses
- Economics courses
- Behavioral sciences courses
- Thesis
- Methods
- At least three semesters of practicum and/or service experience
These competencies will be evaluated and assessed on a per-course basis in a fashion that has been both vetted and approved by various institutional stakeholders.
Here are some highlighted courses:
Political Science Mock Practicum: This course provides students with an opportunity to experience mock governance in a competitive environment. Students will select a mock governance program and fully engage in the required level of preparation and participation. Acceptable mock governance programs include but are not limited to Model United Nations, moot court, competitive mediation, Model Organization of American States (MOAS) and mock trial competition.
Environmental Policy: Students conduct an in-depth examination of the politics surrounding conservation and environmentalism. While the specific topics and concepts will evolve, the class will focus on issues pertaining to global warming, land and resource management, land and resource conservation, sustainable agriculture, population, sustainable development, and global and national environmental regulations.
Program Benefits
There is no greater benefit than the real-world experience we require our students to obtain. There are several ways these experiences are gained.
- Internships: We encourage our students to learn while working in the community. This not only gives students a practical knowledge base in politics; it also provides the opportunity to network with professionals in the field. With a multitude of internship opportunities in the program tailored to fit students' career aspirations, we have placed students in law and legislative offices across Austin.
- ESMOAS and Moot Court: Concordia has been an active participant in the Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States (ESMOAS) and moot court competitions since 2011. ESMOAS is a model diplomacy competition between universities from all over the Southwest.
Success Stories
“I have directly used skills and knowledge gleaned from classes at Concordia in internships
at both the Texas Capitol and the Texas Public Policy Foundation. I am also a College
Student Commissioner for the City of Austin and Texas Civic Ambassador, which fulfills
my more community-minded side.”
- Krista Gehlhausen
Career Outcomes
- Agency head
- Lawyer
- Legislative staff member
- Lobbyist
- Social Scientist
- Teacher
FAQ
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Why study Political Science?
Studying political science opens up career possibilities in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Students interested in business, education, law, journalism, communications or government can use their Political Science degree to become better candidates for jobs in these fields.
Political Science is the perfect platform for pursuing a graduate degree in Law, Liberal Arts, Ministry or Social Science.
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Why study Political Science at CTX?
Political Science students at CTX develop five transferable skills that can be applied to a variety of industries, including an understanding of political processes, research, critical thinking, leadership and political craft.