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Welcome!
Political science is more than just examining government structures and discussing elites currently in office. It is the study of who has the power to make laws for a society, the institutional structures that guide how this power is used, who benefits and who loses when this power is used, and the relationship between and policies in a society. Political science students therefore study voting, elections, the structures of government institutions, and how governments around the world differ and interact.
Our diverse faculty hold degrees from some of the most prestigious universities in the nation and are specialists in the politics of Fresno and the Central Valley, California, Washington, D.C. and all around the world. They have published research and teach classes on American politics, environmental politics, the philosophy of law, public policy, and international relations.
We offer four degree programs: a bachelor in political science, a bachelor of public administration, a master of public administration, and a master in international relations. Our students have gone on to work in city, county, and state government. Many now work in Washington, D.C. or around the world. Others have gone on to law school and doctoral programs in political science. Several have even been elected or appointed to public office.
THE DEPARTMENT'S PRIDE POINTS:
* Our political science BA program has a very high graduation rate (86%). So do our other three degree programs;
* Our political science BA program has been very successful in placing our graduates in law schools and graduate programs;
* The pre-law component of our BA program offers a legal studies certificate with studies in constitutional and criminal law. The program also offers a moot court course and sponsors a very successful moot court team;
* Our Masters of Public Administration program is the only nationally accredited MPA program in the San Joaquin Valley;
* Our Masters of International Relations program has twice won the University Outstanding Thesis award in the past decade;
* Our department's faculty have all received their Ph.D.s from outstanding research oriented universities and all have been active in research published in their fields (collectively publishing several dozen peer-reviewed articles and books), as well as engaging extensively in community service;
* Many of our graduates have served and do serve in Congress, in the state legislature, as city managers, as urban planners, as city council members, as judges, as mayors, as union leaders, as educators, as non-profit managers, as military officers, and as civic organizers. Numerous leaders in the San Joaquin Valley are our graduates.