PSPA Undergraduate Programs
Programs of Study
- Political Science Major
- Political Science Minor
- Public Administration Minor
- Political Campaigns Minor
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Helpful Links
- Political Science Major
- Public Service Leadership Program
- Minors and Graduate School Fast Track Options
Political Science Major
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Political Science, the application of the scientific method to the study of politics, is concerned with understanding political phenomena and developing citizens who are aware of their political rights and responsibilities. The political science major at UNF has three broad objectives. The first is to convey to students knowledge about the subfields within the discipline, with an emphasis on American government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, and public administration. The second is to provide students with the skills needed for active and effective participation in the democratic process. The final objective is to prepare students for careers associated with politics, government, nonprofits, and the private sector.
The political science major provides an excellent background for admission to law school and is a solid foundation for graduate work in political science, public administration, international affairs, public policy and urban planning. In addition to preparing students for graduate work, the conceptual and methodological skills developed in the major equip students for employment by local, state, and national organizations, corporations, and nonprofit groups located in the U.S. and foreign countries, international organizations such as the United Nations, the print and electronic media, and secondary education.
After the completion of core requirements, our flexible, student-driven curriculum allows political science majors to tailor their electives to their particular career and graduate school goals. The political science major offers electives in the following areas of study:
- American Politics
- International Relations
- Comparative Politics
- Public Law
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Political Theory
Getting Started
Students begin by taking two of the three introductory political science courses. POS 2041 and INR 2002 may also be used to satisfy UNF's General Education curriculum requirements:
- POS 2041 Introduction to American Government (3 Credits)
- CPO 2002 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 Credits)
- INR 2002 Introduction to International Relations (3 Credits)
Major Courses
All Political Science Majors are then required to take 6 hours of core classes focusing on the process of scientific inquiry into politics. These courses promote critical thinking, as well as skills in research design, quantitative analysis, statistical literacy, and data science:
- POS 3733 Research Design for Poli Sci (3 Credits)
- POS 3734 Research Analysis for Poli Sci (3 Credits)
Students then take 24 hours of major electives, allowing them to tailor their program of study to their particular interests, career goals, or graduate school plans. The department also offers fast-track/accelerated pathway admission into our graduate programs in Public Administration (MPA) and International Affairs (MAIA), where students take graduate credits as part of their undergraduate minor or major electives, allowing them to earn both a BA and a Masters degree in fewer semesters.
Public Service Leadership Program
Mission
The Public Service Leadership Program was founded in 2006 by Ambassador Nancy Soderberg, a former Ambassador and member of the U.S. National Security Council. As the current Director of the program, Ambassador Soderberg has used her extensive contacts in government and the nonprofit world to build a network of opportunities for UNF students to gain first- hand experience in the field, building their resume and contacts -keys to future employment.
This program builds lasting skills for students and transforms the students' vision and career goals. Contact Information: Ambassador Nancy Soderberg.
Public Service Leadership Program has placed nearly 100 students in exceptional positions:
- Tallahassee
- Washington, D.C.
- New York City, as well as internationally.
- Senators Bill Nelson, Marco Rubio;
- The Department of Education
- The Department of Defense
- The Department of State in Washington, D.C.
- Embassies abroad: Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Sophia, Bulgaria, Geneva, Quito, & Ankara.
- NGOs in DC, NY, & beyond.
- United Nations World Food Program in Bangkok, Thailand, Tanzania, & Rome.
Courses
Global Issues in Contemporary Politics | this course promotes the understanding and analysis of significant trends in the emerging new world system and relates those trends and events to domestic politics and society in other nation states. The course also compares and analyzes comparative trends in political institutions, systems and changes in public policies in the world community.
Real World Policy | This course explores selected major political issues of the day.After the end of the Cold War and 9/11, the role of the United States in the world has fundamentally changed. The course also examines how the United States will continue to interact in a new world order. Also, a chance to visit Washington D.C.
During the Fall and Spring semesters, Ambassador Soderberg teaches "Real Policy World". Upon completing this course, students will gain confidence in a leadership role along with the potential to seek a political career.
Course will include the opportunity to review their key policies of recommendation with senior U.S. officials such as: The White House Deputy National Security Advisors, Senior State Department officials, Senior Pentagon officials, Capitol Hill, CIA officials, Florida Senator offices, Embassies and much more. Upon return to Jacksonville, students will write an op-ed article on their topic for the local paper, the Florida Times Union.
Minors and Graduate School Fast Track Options
Political Science Minor
The Political Science Minor gives students a general understanding of political phenomena and their rights and responsibilities as citizens. A minor in Political Science prepares students for employment with local, state, and national organizations, corporations, and nonprofit groups located in the U.S. and foreign countries, international organizations such as the United Nations, the print and electronic media, and secondary education.Political Campaigns Minor
The Political Campaigns Minor is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare and provide experiential learning for students interested in careers in elections and political campaigns. As part of the minor, students complete an internship with a local, state, or national campaign office, and take minor coursework related to elections, campaigning, public policy, communications, and public relations.Public Administration Minor - MPA Fast Track
The Public Administration Minor leading to fast track entry into the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is available only to UNF Political Science majors who also minor in Public Administration. Students who successfully complete the Fast Track requirements, and who meet the admission requirements for the MPA program, will be able to complete the MPA degree with 33 hours of credit rather than the 42 credit hours otherwise required.Accelerated Pathway - MAIA Fast Track
An accelerated major pathway leading to entry into the Master of International Affairs (MAIA) degree will also available only to UNF Political Science majors beginning in Fall 2025. This accelerated pathway will allow students to take 18 graduate credits in international affairs as part of their undergraduate major electives. Upon completion and admission into the MAIA Program, this accelerated pathway will allow students to complete their MAIA program of study in one year instead of two.