Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate programs
The Department of Political Science & International Relations at the University of Delaware offers a dynamic and engaging undergraduate program that prepares students for a wide range of career paths. With a focus on critical thinking, research, and hands-on learning, our department provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the political, social, and global forces that shape our world. Whether you're interested in domestic policy, international affairs, or the intersection of the two, our program will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today's rapidly changing global landscape.
For more information about our undergraduate majors and minors, please get in touch with Dr. Matthew Weinert (mweinert@udel.edu), Director of Undergraduate Studies, or Barbara Ford (barbford@udel.edu), Academic Program Coordinator.
- International Relations - Development and Political Economy Concentration (BA)
- International Relations - Diplomacy and Global Order Concentration (BA)
- International Relations - Societies and Beliefs Concentration (BA)
- International Relations - U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security Concentration (BA)
Interdisciplinary 4+1 Program
Complete your bachelor's degree and a master's program in just five years!
The Biden School of Public Policy and Administration (Biden School) proposes a new 4+1 program with the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BA-PS). This accelerated program would parallel the successful 4+1 programs of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) with the Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy/Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Community Leadership/Bachelor of Arts in English.
Current undergraduate students enrolled in the BA in Political Science or Honors BA in Political Science program are eligible to apply to the accelerated BA-MPA program after completing 60 credits, which is typically the Fall of their junior year.
Complete the academic requirements for the B.A. in Political Science.
- In consultation with advisors in the Political Science department and the Biden School, complete 6 credits of coursework from the MPA curriculum to dual count for the Political Science and MPA degree requirements.
Complete the requirements for the minor in Public Policy.
The minor in Legal Studies allows undergraduate students to explore the law from an interdisciplinary perspective. The law is central to social sciences, humanities, business, and public policy theories and research. Courses concerned with law are available in a variety of departments, including political science, sociology, communication, economics, history, accounting (business law), finance (corporate governance), applied economics and statistics (environmental law), marine studies, education, and urban affairs.
This program is designed for any student who is interested in examining the law and its influence on society from a variety of perspectives. Legal studies is not a “pre-law” program, and it does not offer paralegal training. However, the program is a suitable minor for those who plan to pursue professional training. For information on Pre-Law Advisement, consult the Pre-Law web site.
If you have any questions, or are in need of advising, please contact Barbara Ford at legal-studies@udel.edu.
Wayne Batchis
Political Theory and Constitutional Law
Director, Legal Studies Program
Office: 466 Smith Hall
Available to all University of Delaware undergraduates, a minor in political communication encourages students to become leaders in their communities. It provides opportunities to experience multidisciplinary teaching and research in the leading edge concepts of political communication and digital technology, as expressed and experienced in political campaigns and public policy debates at the local and national levels.
A minor in political science allows students to explore the study of government, politics, public policy, and political behavior. It complements a student's major area of study by providing a deeper understanding of political systems, institutions, processes, and theory. Combining a major with a political science minor allows students to develop a well-rounded understanding of societal issues and prepare for various career paths.
This 18-credit interdisciplinary minor in Politics & Social Justice (PSJ) has been designed for those students who want to understand and change social injustices and are seeking the necessary theoretical and practical tools to do so. The Department of Political Science & International Relations (POSCIR) has developed this interdisciplinary minor that focuses on both local and global social injustice and social movements. Upon completing this minor students shall: (1) understand the causes of domestic and international inequalities in social, economic, and political rights and opportunities, (2) have explored both theoretical and practical solutions towards addressing these inequalities, (3) have gained practical experience working with a social justice organization to address these inequalities.
Partnering Departments
To establish this interdisciplinary minor, the Department of Political Science & International Relations has partnered with the Departments of Africana Studies, Anthropology, History, Sociology & Criminal Justice, Women & Gender Studies, and the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration.
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Academic Programs
The Department of Political Science and International Relations offers three majors, with Honors degree options for each:
- the BA in Political Science,
- the BA in International Relations, and,
- the BA in Political Science Education.
We also offer four minors: Political Science, Political Communication, Politics and Social Justice, and Legal Studies.
Our courses are designed to equip you with the skills necessary to succeed in a variety of professions, including:
developing analytical, critical thinking, written, and oral communication skills; and,
learning how to work productively with peers in a variety of problem-based learning situations, such as mock trials and simulations.
The Political Science major
May be completed with a concentration – American Politics; Global Politics; or Law, Politics & Theory – to allow for a more in-depth consideration of topics and issues,
or without a concentration, to provide for a broad overview of Political Science.
The International Relations major
Students select a concentration – Development and Political Economy; Diplomacy and Global Order; US Foreign Policy and National Security; or Societies and Beliefs – and a regional specialization – Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East
The major also provides the foundation for those students seeking to deepen their knowledge of the politics, culture, and history of a region by complementing their IR major with courses or a minor in one of the University's Area Studies programs -- African, Asian, European, Islamic, Jewish Studies, Latin American & Iberian Studies
Experiential Learning
We encourage our majors to take advantage of the many experiential learning opportunities at the University of Delaware, including: undergraduate research with one of our faculty members study abroad during winter or summer session, interning at a political science or international relations-related organization, service learning, or serve as an undergraduate teaching assistant for one of our classes.
Legal Studies
A sizeable number of our majors plan on pursuing a career in law and complement their political science and international studies majors with a minor in Legal Studies. For further information, contact Dr. Wayne Batchis, J.D. (batchisw@udel.edu).
For more information about our undergraduate majors and minors, please contact Dr. Matthew Weinert (mweinert@udel.edu), Director of Undergraduate Studies, or Barbara Ford (barbford@udel.edu), Academic Program Coordinator.
Additional resources and opportunities
