If the workings and interactions of state, national, and international governments fascinate you, consider pursuing a degree in political science.
Behrend’s B.A. in Political Science emphasizes the development of key intellectual skills, ingraining the habits of questioning, debating, challenging, and shaping persuasive arguments. You’ll be expected to master effective writing, speaking, and reasoning skills—all of which will make you a desirable candidate to any number of employers.
Why Penn State Behrend?
Our program emphasizes individual attention. We encourage—and help you to find—internships in government. We also encourage and support undergraduate research opportunities as well as independent study and study abroad, including through courses offered in Washington, D.C., and Toronto, Canada.
As a Political Science student, you’ll also be motivated to get involved on campus and in the community, and you’ll have opportunities to join partisan or nonpartisan student groups and attend candidate forums and discussion groups.
Each year, the Political Science program also recognizes outstanding students with two awards: the Zachary T. Irwin Humanitarian Award, honoring a student who has made Behrend and the Erie community better places, and the Celise Schneider Award in Political Theory, awarded for the best written work in political theory from the previous academic year.
