Government and Politics, Bachelor of Arts
Whether you want to become a lawyer, a political correspondent, educator or civic leader, there’s no limit to what you can do with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Politics from St. John’s University.
- Home
- Academics
- Majors and Programs of Study
- Government and Politics, Bachelor of Arts
Earning your Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and Politics at St. John’s will prepare you for these opportunities. Offered by St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 120-credit program provides students with the analytical skills necessary to evaluate political issues and function effectively in political environments. Students also gain the writing and communications skills needed for success in any field.
Students majoring in government and politics are adept at navigating the political landscape and possess extensive knowledge in the various areas of government, through courses in:
- American Government
- International Relations
- Comparative Politics
- Political Theory
- Public Administration and Public Service
- Degree Type
- BA
- Area of Interest
- Law, Policy & Government
- Associated Colleges or Schools
- Program Location
- Queens Campus
- Required Credit Hours
- 120
Department Contact
Admission
For more information about admission to this and other undergraduate programs at St. John’s University, please visit Undergraduate Admission online.
Government and Politics Courses
To earn the Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics, students complete 120 credits in core, major-sequence, and elective requirements. The major sequence and elective requirements are outlined below.
Required
Course | Course # | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
GOV | 1050 | Research Methods for Government and Politics | 3 |
GOV | 1030 | American Government | 3 |
One Elective in each of the following areas:
International Relations
Course | Course # | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
GOV | 1610 | International Relations | 3 |
GOV | 2640 | Foreign Policy of the United States | 3 |
GOV | 2810 | The Politics of War | 3 |
GOV | 3620 | International Law | 3 |
GOV | 3630 | Foreign Policy of Major Powers | 3 |
GOV | 3670 | International Political Economy | 3 |
Comparative Government
Course | Course # | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
GOV | 1700 | Comparative Political Systems | 3 |
GOV | 2650 | Government and Politics of Western Europe | 3 |
GOV | 2660 | Government and Politics of Eastern Europe | 3 |
GOV | 2690 | Government and Politics of Latin America | 3 |
GOV | 2730 | Russia and CIS Republics | 3 |
GOV | 2750 | The Politics of the Caribbean Sea | 3 |
GOV | 3580 | The Politics of Inequality in the United States | 3 |
GOV | 3680 | Politics of Africa | 3 |
GOV | 3710 | Governments and Politics of the Far East | 3 |
GOV | 3720 | Governments and Politics of South and Southeast Asia | 3 |
GOV | 3820 | Politics of the Middle East | 3 |
Political Theory
Course | Course # | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
GOV | 1250 | Western Political Though I: Classical and Medieval | 3 |
GOV | 1265 | Western Political Thought II: Early Modern | 3 |
GOV | 1270 | Western Political Thought III: Recent and Contemporary | 3 |
In addition, government and politics majors must complete ONE SENIOR SEMINAR + 15 elective hours in GOV courses. Students are also permitted a maximum of 6 hours in fieldwork courses and eligible seniors may choose six elective hours from 100-level courses.
Career Outcomes
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for graduates with backgrounds in government and politics are expected to grow at a rapid rate, with an overall 21 percent increase in job opportunities by the year 2018.
Global Approach to Education
All students take advantage of St. John’s location in dynamic New York City. Our faculty and Career Services have strong ties to employers and other professional and educational resources throughout the New York area. Students make New York their classroom through innovative courses like Discover New York.
Students also benefit from St. John's focus on international academic experiences. The University offers extensive study abroad opportunities, from our nationally unique Global Passport program for first-year students, to short-term and semester opportunities throughout your academic year. The Department of Government and Politics offers a fall semester program in Rome tailored specifically to the academic needs of our majors, offering students with advanced standing the opportunity to blend undergraduate coursework for the major with a graduate course selected from our M.A. program in Rome. For more information on all our study abroad programs including global and virtual internships in Rome and Paris, please visit the Office of International Education.
Additional Information
Students majoring in Government and Politics at St. John's gain a solid foundation in political theory and its application in our society. Students also acquire an in-depth understanding of the role that history and social demographics play in shaping today's political processes.
Guiding and mentoring students are St. John's enormously gifted, internationally known faculty of scholar-teachers who care about each student's progress.
Students develop a strong academic and professional edge by joining any of St. John's more than 180 student clubs and organizations. Clubs and honor societies of particular interest to Government and Politics majors include these:
- Government and Politics Society
- Economics and Finance Society
- Alpha Zappa Delta: International sociology honor society
- Omicron Delta Epsilon: International honor society for economics
The Skull and Circle Honor Society and the Pi Sigma Alpa -- Government and Politics Honor Society annually select students from St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who combine scholarship, integrity and dedicated service to the St. John's community.
Every student at St. John's benefits from outstanding University-wide facilities and resources including high-tech classrooms, laboratories and our 1.7 million-volume University Library. Our new D’Angelo Center is a five-story, 127,000-square-foot University and Student Center with classrooms, lecture halls, a Starbucks Café and a full-service food court.
In the Community
Julia Goncalves: from around the Corner to around the World
For Julia Goncalves, St. John’s University has always been part of her family, and its picturesque Queens, NY, campus part of what she calls home.
Julia Goncalves St. John's College of Liberal Arts and SciencesHighlight
The 19-year-old Government and Politics major pursuing a minor in French comes from a “St. John’s family”—she is the fourth child in a family of five to attend St. John’s, and they live blocks away from the campus. Her mom is a double St. John’s alumna.
Alumna Finds Her Path to Cybersecurity Field through the Liberal Arts
Alexandra McGill ’22C was a child growing up in Westchester County, NY, when she discovered her passion for the cybersecurity field.
Alexandra McGill ’22C St. John's College of Liberal Arts and SciencesHighlight
“My job is, essentially, listening to people’s problems and challenges, finding the right solution for them, and proposing that solution while maintaining fair prices and comprehensive protection.”
Interested in Law, Policy & Government, but not sure if Government and Politics, Bachelor of Arts is right for you?
Related Programs
The dual baccalaureate and master’s program in government and politics is designed to provide highly-motivated students with the opportunity to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years of full-time study.
Students in the program may elect a thesis or non-thesis option. Those in the thesis track matriculate for a total of 141 credits (33 on the graduate level), including six credits of GOV 900 (Master’s Research). Those electing the non-thesis option complete a total of 141 credits (33 on the graduate level), including six credits of graduate departmental coursework in lieu of GOV 900.
After completion of the requirements for the B.A., students enroll full time in graduate courses for the fifth year of the dual degree program.
- Queens Campus
Courses offered within the Department of Government and Politics are designed to provide students with the analytical skills necessary to evaluate political issues and to function effectively in a political environment.
- Queens Campus
Courses offered within the Department of Government and Politics are designed to provide students with the analytical skills necessary to evaluate political issues and to function effectively in a political environment.
- Queens Campus
The Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Government and Politics at St. John’s combines rigorous academic study with the opportunity to develop valuable practical skills that are highly attractive to a wide array of employers across the public and private sectors.
- Queens Campus
In conjunction with the School of Law, The Department of Government and Politics offers a dual M.A./J.D. program.
- Queens Campus
The Department of Government and Politics prepares students for lifelong learning as outlined in the mission of the University Strategic Plan. Government and Politics students acquire critical thinking and analytical writing skills, and ethical understanding of diverse political issues. Students practice their skill in Academic Service-Learning and internships that foster public service and commitment to serve local, national and international community.
- Queens Campus