BA in
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Eastern Kentucky University
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Admissions
Online
EKU’s online degree programs provide access to the same EKU courses, from the same distinguished professors in a user-friendly remote learning environment. Most importantly, a degree earned through EKU Online holds the same reputation for quality as our on-campus degrees. And the admission requirements are the same, whether enrolling in courses online or on campus.
To Apply
- Fill out the free online application
- Provide official undergraduate transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended
- If you’ve earned fewer than 24 college-level transferable credit hours since completing high school or a GED, provide your high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
International Student
Students are considered international applicants if they are not citizens of the United States.
To apply as a freshman students should submit a fully evaluated, complete secondary school record reflecting a cumulative GPA equivalent to 2.5 higher.
Students applying as transfer students must have a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students should submit official transcripts for all college-level coursework.* Students with less than 24 credit hours must also submit a fully evaluated, complete secondary school record.
Additionally, for standard admission, all international students must submit a valid copy of their passport and demonstrate English language proficiency. Students may demonstrate proficiency through one of the following:
- Credit for English 101 and 102 from an accredited U.S. college or university with a grade of “C” or better
- TOEFL – 530 paper-based, 71 Internet-based, or 195 by computer with no band score below a 16
- IELTS – 6.0 overall band score with 5.0 or above in every subject/skill category.
- Duolingo English Test – 95 or higher.
- Japanese students may submit the EIKEN test with a passing score of Pre-1.
- ACT English 18 and ACT Reading 20
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing 510
Countries Exempt from the English Language Requirement:
- Ireland
- UK
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada (Except Quebec)
- Commonwealth Caribbean – Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
*For college-level coursework taken outside the U.S., transcripts must be sent to ECE or Josef Silny & Associates for evaluation. Please choose to have a course-by-course evaluation completed.
Graduate
Looking to advance your career or take it in a new direction? EKU’s Graduate School can help you get ahead with flexible master’s, doctoral, and specialist degree programs, affordable tuition, and top-notch instruction.
To Apply
- Fill out the free online application
- Provide official entrance exam scores (GRE, MAT, or GMAT), if applicable
- Provide official undergraduate transcripts (if not an EKU graduate)
- Submit letters of recommendation, if required for the academic program
How Soon Can I Apply?
- August 1 for the following fall semester
- October 1 for the following spring semester
- April 1 for the following summer semester
Scholarships and Funding
Grants
Grants are a type of financial support that does not need to be repaid. Many grants are based on financial need alone, however, some grants also take academic performance, academic degree program, and/or residence status into consideration.
Grants are available at the federal and state level.
Private Loans
Private student loans are not funded or subsidized by the federal government; instead, they are funded by banks, credit unions, or other types of lenders.
The bank or lender – not the federal government – sets interest rates, loan limits, terms, and conditions of private student loans. Your ability to qualify for and borrow a private student loan may be based on numerous factors that can include your credit history, whether or not you choose to have a co-signer, your co-signer’s credit history, your choice of school, and your course of study. These loans do not offer the flexible repayment terms or borrower protections featured by federal student loans.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Employer tuition reimbursement includes a variety of employer-sponsored programs to help employees pay for college. In many cases, the funds received from these programs will be excluded from income and are tax-free.
Employee tuition reimbursement programs are typically governed by an employer’s human resources department. Employers may provide up to $5,250 per year in employer education assistance benefits for undergraduate or graduate courses.
Your employer may require you to attain a particular grade or to complete a program in order to obtain reimbursement. The employer may also require that you remain employed for a period of time after completing the course of study. Finally, your employer may require you to provide receipts or other substantiation of the educational expenses.
Military Benefits
For information on veteran and active duty military services and offerings, contact the EKU Office of Military and Veteran Affairs at 859.622.2345. EKU is repeatedly recognized by both Military Times and GI Jobs as a leader among Military Friendly® Schools and we look forward to helping you reach your goals.
Outside Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from a number of groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. These scholarships can be general in nature or very specialized and tied to the type of work you would be doing after graduation.
If you receive an outside scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Departmental Scholarships
Departmental scholarships are awarded by specific EKU departments. The types, size, and criteria for these scholarships will vary by department.
If you receive a departmental scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Foundation Scholarships
EKU is fortunate to have hundreds of generous individuals and organizations that have donated scholarship money for current EKU students from a variety of backgrounds, situations, and interests. These are referred to as EKU Foundation Scholarships. Due to the number of these scholarships and the varying criteria for them, EKU has developed a single Foundation Scholarship application.
After completing the application, you will be considered for any foundation scholarship for which you are eligible. Criteria for these scholarships vary and can include academics, major, interests, place of residence, and more.
Curriculum
Core Courses --- 36
- POL 101 --- Introduction to American Government --- 3
- POL 212 --- Introduction to Comparative Politics --- 3
- POL 220 --- Introduction to World Politics --- 3
- POL 250 --- Introduction to Political Philosophy --- 3
- POL 280* --- Research and Writing in Political Science --- 3
- POL 370 --- Introduction to Public Administration --- 3
- POL 400W --- Capstone Course in Political Science --- 3
An additional 15 hours of POL courses, all of which must be numbered 300 or above, with a minimum of three hours each in three of the following four areas (see catalog for details):
American Politics --- 3
Comparative Politics --- 3
International Relations --- 3
Political Philosophy --- 3
* No more than six hours of POL courses numbered 300 or above may be taken prior to completing POL 280.
Free Electives --- 47
EKU General Education Requirements --- 37
Total Hours --- 120
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
A political science degree hones the writing, communication, analytical, and data skills that are fundamental to entry-level positions within political and governmental institutions. This kind of education will prepare you to think critically and independently, help you appreciate differing points of view, and broaden your knowledge of current affairs.
Political science careers are challenging and offer unique opportunities. A bachelor's degree in political science can lead to employment in a wide variety of fields. Whether you have a budding political career or have your eye on law school, an online bachelor’s degree in political science could be your first step to a rewarding career.
Job Opportunities
Community & Social Service Managers
- Median Annual Salary: $65,320 per year / $31 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 168,800
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's Degree
Public Relations & Fundraising Managers
- Median Annual Salary: $114,800 per year / $55 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 81,200
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's Degree
Social & Human Services Assistants
- Median Annual Salary: $33,750 per year / $16 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 413,700
- Typical Entry-Level Education: High School Diploma
Job Titles
- Customer Service Representative
- Law Clerk
- Attorney
- Human Resources Manager
- Litigation Attorney
English Language Requirements
Certify your English proficiency with the Duolingo English Test! The DET is a convenient, fast, and affordable online English test accepted by over 4,000 universities (like this one) around the world.