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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.

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
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Degree Type
BA
Area of Interest
Law, Policy & Government
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
Required Credit Hours
120

Department Contact

Fred P. Cocozzelli

Associate Professor

Chair

St. John Hall Room 234 A

718-990-5267

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 

CourseCourse #TitleCredits
GOV1050Research Methods for Government and Politics3
GOV 1030       American Government3

One Elective in each of the following areas:

International Relations

CourseCourse #TitleCredits
GOV1610International Relations3
GOV2640Foreign Policy of the United States3
GOV2810The Politics of War3
GOV3620International Law3
GOV3630Foreign Policy of Major Powers3
GOV3670International Political Economy3

Comparative Government

CourseCourse #TitleCredits
GOV1700Comparative Political Systems3
GOV2650Government and Politics of Western Europe3
GOV2660Government and Politics of Eastern Europe3
GOV2690Government and Politics of Latin America3
GOV2730Russia and CIS Republics3
GOV2750The Politics of the Caribbean Sea3
GOV3580The Politics of Inequality in the United States3
GOV3680Politics of Africa3
GOV3710Governments and Politics of the Far East3
GOV3720Governments and Politics of South and Southeast Asia3
GOV3820Politics of the Middle East3

Political Theory

CourseCourse #TitleCredits
GOV1250Western Political Though I: Classical and Medieval3
GOV1265Western Political Thought II: Early Modern3
GOV1270Western 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

St John's Student Julia Goncalves leaning against tree

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 Sciences

Highlight

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.

Alexandra McGill ’22C St Johns Alumna standing in hallway with statues

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 Sciences

Highlight

“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?