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Academic ProgramsAbout this Program
The role of the executive branch. Legal history. Generational shifts in the electorate. The Politics of Protest. Global politics. What does it all mean for you, your community and the world?
As an MSU Denver Political Science student, you will study America’s political system and processes, effective political action, nation-state behavior and and political systems across the world. You will also learn critical perspectives, analytical proficiencies and communication skills that will help you understand and grapple with complex local, national and global affairs.
Program Requirements
The Political Science Major requires 45 credits. For more details about the major and University requirements, see the MSU Denver Catalog.
Required Courses:
- PSC 1010 – American National Government Credits:
- PSC 1020 – Comparative Politics Credits: 3
- PSC 2230 – Introduction to International Relations Credits: 3
- PSC 2500 – The Search for Knowledge in Political Science Credits: 3
- PSC 3050 – Political Theory Credits: 3
- PSC 3500 – Conducting Quantitative Political Analysis Credits: 3
- PSC 4020 – Democracy Credits: 3
Electives: A minimum of 24 credits political science must be completed. At least 18 of these 24 hours must be upper-division courses (3000- and 4000-level).
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Follow the semester-by-semester steps outlined in the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to ensure your success at MSU Denver.
Take me to the CLAS Student Success RoadmapBenefits of Studying at MSU Denver
The Department of Political Science delivers all the academic content you expect from a B.A. program while also bringing to the table everything that’s unique about MSU Denver’s people and Denver’s political community.
Take classes on a vibrant and diverse downtown campus
Enjoy attending classes on a vibrant and diverse downtown campus that’s located only minutes from the Colorado Capitol Building, all while, benefitting from small classes and extensive interaction with faculty dedicated to your success. We not only offer traditional classroom meeting times, but you also have access to and the convenience of evening course options. We are a big university with a small college approach to education.
Get involved in activities that get you ahead
Participate in a range of special activities that enrich your academic experience and professional development. Engage in pre-law advising, join the Mock Trial team, or take part in Model UN. You can also become a member of the MSU Denver student chapters of the National Political Science Honor Society (ΠΣΑ) and the Political Science Association. Getting involved in co-curricular projects sponsored by the department—from events addressing important contemporary issues to lectures by leading academics and practitioners from around the world—provides you with valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Engaging in these activities helps you deepen your understanding of political science while fostering connections with peers and experts in the field.
Jump start your Professional career with one-of-a-kind internships
Intern with various organizations that can serve as stepping stones to your future career. The Political Science program offers prolific internship and experiential learning opportunities that provide first-hand experiences with politics in action—all within walking distance. Interested in internships a little further? Apply for MSU Denver’s Presidential Federal Internship program in Washington, D.C. or for those interested in international politics, the opportunity to participate in the Model United Nations and extensive travel abroad and student exchange programs enrich already expansive on-campus coursework.
This video features students who participated in the MSU Denver Institute for Public Service Presidential Internship Program (1:59, Closed Captions)
Career Opportunities for Our Graduates
Earning a B.A. in political science from MSU Denver prepares students for graduate opportunities and careers in public and private sectors including state, local and federal governments and their agencies; public policy; law; business; journalism; foreign service and international organizations as well as secondary and college education.
Your Career Starts Here!
- Attorney
- Budget Analyst
- Campaign Consultant and Operative
- Foreign Service Officer
- Intelligence Analyst
- International Agency Officer
- Journalist
- Legislator
- Lobbyist
- Policy Analyst
- Political Activist, Advocate or Organizer
- Public Affairs Consultant
- Public Agency, Non-profit or Private Sector Administrator
- Public Opinion Analyst
- Research Analyst
Featured Faculty
Robert Preuhs, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Robert Preuhs’ research focuses on issues of representation and democracy through the lens of racial and ethnic politics, state and national political institutions and public policy. His publications have appeared in leading peer-reviewed journals such as The American Journal of Political Science, The Journal of Politics and Political Research Quarterly. He and fellow professors Norman Provizer and Andy Thangasamy recently authored the piece, “Contesting Colorado: The Politics of Change in the Centennial State” in the book, “Presidential Swing States: Why Only Ten Matter” (Rowman and Littlefield, 2015).
Sheila Rucki, Ph.D., Professor
Sheila Rucki teaches in the sub-fields of political theory and international relations/international political economy. She works with her students to develop research and analysis skills and to learn to understand the world through the lens of critical political theory. Her research has been published in New Political Science and she has contributed chapters to At the Interface / Probing the Boundaries from Brill Publishing. She is also an Erasmus + Faculty Exchange fellow.
MSU Denver Political Science alumni have...
- Colorado General Assembly
- National Council of U.S.-Arab Relations, Washington, D.C.
- Office of the District Attorney, Trinidad, Colo.
- Peace Corps, Mongolia
- Swedish Embassy of Indonesia
- Teach for America
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. Treasury Department
Graduate School: George Washington University, the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Lehman College, New York University, and University of Colorado, University of Denver.
Law School: American University School of Law, Fordham University School of Law, Seattle University School of Law, University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of Michigan, and University of Washington.
Why Choose MSU Denver
Hispanic Serving Institution
MSU Denver has 36.7% Hispanic/Latinx students which the highest number of Hispanic/Latinx students among institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado.
Learn more about MSU Denver's Designation
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
MSU Denver is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion and has been named one of the Top Colleges for Diversity by Insight Into Diversity for 10 consecutive years.
Learn more about DEI at MSU Denver
Transfer Student Leader
50% of MSU Denver students are transfers. As the top transfer destination for Coloradans, our students make an immediate impact on our workforce and community.
Learn more about MSU Denver's ExcellenceContact the Department of Political Science
Auraria Campus Location
King Center, Room – 498
Mailing Address
MSU Denver, Department of Political Science
Campus Box 43
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO. 80217-3362