Political Science Major, B.A.

About this Program

The role of the executive branch. Legal history. Generational shifts in the electorate. The Politics of Protest. Global politics. What does it all mean for you, your community and the world?

As an MSU Denver Political Science student, you will study America’s political system and processes, effective political action, nation-state behavior and and political systems across the world.  You will also learn critical perspectives, analytical proficiencies and communication skills that will help you understand and grapple with complex local, national and global affairs.

Located in the heart of Denver, the Political Science program offers prolific internship and experiential learning opportunities that provide first-hand experiences with politics in action—all within walking distance. For those interested in international politics, the opportunity to participate in the Model United Nations and extensive travel abroad and student exchange programs enrich already expansive on-campus coursework.

Program Benefits

The Department of Political Science delivers all the academic content you expect from a B.A. program while also bringing to the table everything that’s unique about MSU Denver’s people and Denver’s political community. Students here have the advantage of the following unique opportunities:

• Enjoy attending classes on a vibrant and diverse downtown campus that’s located only minutes from the Colorado Capitol Building.

• Benefit from small classes, extensive interaction with faculty dedicated to your success and the convenience of evening course options. We are a big university with a small college approach to education.

• Participate in a variety of special activities, including prelaw advising, Mock Trial, Model UN and a summer internship program Washington, D.C.

• Join MSU Denver student chapters of the National Political Science Honor Society (ΠΣΑ) and the Political Science Association.

• Get involved in co-curricular projects sponsored by the department, from events focusing on important issues of the day, to lectures by leading academics and practitioners from around the world, and a variety of community-building opportunities.

• Intern with various organizations that can serve as stepping stones to employment and jumpstart your professional career in political science

Career Opportunities for Our Graduates

Earning a BA in political science from MSU Denver prepares students for graduate opportunities and careers in public and private sectors including state, local and federal governments and their agencies; public policy; law; business; journalism; foreign service and international organizations as well as secondary and college education. Here are just a few specific careers that await a political science major:

• Political Activist, Advocate or Organizer
• Public Agency, Non-profit or Private Sector Administrator
• Budget Analyst
• Attorney
• Campaign Consultant and Operative
• Intelligence Analyst
• Public Affairs Consultant
• Legislator
• International Agency Officer
• Lobbyist
• Journalist
• Policy Analyst
• Research Analyst
• Public Opinion Analyst
• Foreign Service Officer

Featured Faculty

Robert Preus

Robert Preuhs’ research focuses on issues of representation and democracy through the lens of racial and ethnic politics, state and national political institutions and public policy. His publications have appeared in leading peer-reviewed journals such as The American Journal of Political Science, The Journal of Politics and Political Research Quarterly. He and fellow professors Norman Provizer and Andy Thangasamy recently authored the piece, “Contesting Colorado: The Politics of Change in the Centennial State” in the book, “Presidential Swing States: Why Only Ten Matter” (Rowman and Littlefield, 2015).

Sheila Rucki, Ph.D.

Sheila Rucki teaches in the sub-fields of political theory and international relations/international political economy. She works with her students to develop research and analysis skills and to learn to understand the world through the lens of critical political theory. Her research has been published in New Political Science and she has contributed chapters to At the Interface / Probing the Boundaries from Brill Publishing. She is also an Erasmus + Faculty Exchange fellow.

Dr. Weiden David Heska Wanbli Weiden, J.D., MFA, Ph.D.

Professor Weiden teaches Native American Studies and Political Science. He specializes in Native American issues, law, and American politics as well as writing essays and fiction. His novel Winter Counts was released in 2020.

“I use a variety of approaches in my teaching: real-world applications and problems, case studies, examples from film and literature, and critical thinking exercises to challenge students to examine issues of law, politics, and indigenous peoples.” – David Heska Wanbli Weiden, Professor

Alumni at Work

MSU Denver’s Political Science alumni have found careers at the following organizations:

• Swedish Embassy of Indonesia
• Teach for America
• Colorado General Assembly
• U.S. Treasury Department
• National Council of U.S.-Arab Relations, Washington, D.C.
• Office of the District Attorney, Trinidad, Colo.
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House of Representatives
• Peace Corps, Mongolia

Our alumni have been accepted for post-graduate study at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, University of Denver, University of Colorado, New York University, Lehman College and George Washington University.

They have also been accepted to the law schools at the University of Michigan, University of Denver, University of Colorado, University of Washington, American University School of Law, Fordham University School of Law and Seattle University School of Law.