Bachelor in Political Science

ACU’s Political Science major prepares you for significant Christian influence in government, law, and politics. Explore the intersection of faith and politics, while being grounded in the ideas, values, and institutions of the American system of government and politics. Learn to integrate the biblical worldview into a deep understanding of government as you thoughtfully consider and address the political opportunities and challenges facing today’s culture. By integrating faith and scholarship, political science graduates translate their passion for political transformation into significant Christian leadership and influence in their communities, the nation, and the world. Students can earn either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science in Political Science.

Why Political Science at ACU?

In addition to a faculty-to-student ratio of 17:1 and a rigorous and biblically-integrated curriculum, ACU’s Political Science program offers several unique advantages.

• The ACU Political Science curriculum prepares you to transform government and politics with God’s Truth.
• Develop, formalize, and integrate the biblical worldview into all aspects of government and politics.
• ACU digs deeply into the idea of American Exceptionalism and what makes our nation’s history, institutions, political culture, and ideas ‒ especially liberty, limited government, the free market, and constitutionalism ‒ unique.
• Throughout the major, you’ll deeply explore the intersection of faith and politics in history, in the contemporary context, and in future careers.
• The program emphasizes strategic, practical equipping of students for effective citizenship, public-minded service, and positions of influence in politics, law, public policy, and other related areas.

What will I study?

The Political Science program provides a biblical liberal arts foundation with an innovative approach to general studies that reclaims a Christian conception of the Liberal Arts, preparing students to be influential thinkers. Career-related Coursework focus areas will include:

• American Government, Institutions, and Ideas
• Faith and Politics
• Political Thought: Ancient, Contemporary, and American
• Constitutional Law
• Campaigns and Elections
• Politics and Media
• Public Policy
• International Relations and Foreign Policy
• Emphases available in Criminal Justice or Healthcare Policy

Academic Major Courses

Core requirements accumulate 30 credits, 15 credits of Biblical and Theological Studies, and 8 credits of foreign language courses. 3 credits of Upper Division Biblical and Theological Studies electives are required.

• POL 150 American Government 3
• POL 210 Political Ideologies 3
• POL 230 Law and Politics 3
• POL 300 Research and Writing 3
• POL 305 Faith and Politics 3
• POL 376 American Exceptionalism 3
• POL 450 Constitutional Law 3
• POL 497 Internship 3
• POL 490 Political Science Capstone 3
• POL 442 American Political Thought 3

Choose One

• POL 422 Ancient & Medieval Political Thought
• POL 432 Modern Political Thought
• POL 452 American Conservative Political Thought
• POL 462 Special Topics in Political Thought 3

• POL ___ Upper Div POL Elective (Advisor Approved) 3
• POL ___ Upper Div POL Elective (Advisor Approved) 3
• POL ___ Upper Div POL Elective (Advisor Approved) 3
• POL ___ Upper Div POL Elective (Advisor Approved) 3

ACU’s Political Science degree prepares students to pursue careers in:

• Government / Politics
• Law / Legal Field
• Law Enforcement
• Policy Research and Advocacy
• Public Administration
• Organizational Leadership
• Non-Profit Administration
• Public Service
• Education / Academia