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About the BA in Political Science Degree

Why Study Political Science at Cedarville?

At Cedarville University, the BA in political science helps you understand government, leadership, and public life through a biblical worldview. In this program, you will study political systems, explore questions of justice and civic responsibility, and consider the role of government in society.

Political science is about more than the day’s headlines. It examines the ideas, people, and institutions that shape our world. As you learn alongside faculty and peers who share your commitment to Christ, you will grow in your understanding of faithful citizenship and graduate ready to launch into a career or continue your studies in graduate school.

Students interested in complementing another major can also pursue a minor in political science.

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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

Program Overview

Program Highlights

Broad Curriculum — Our political science program exposes you to a breadth of knowledge in American and international politics, political philosophy, and law, all while encouraging you to examine contemporary political issues at all levels of government.

Biblical Integration — Political science at Cedarville integrates the Christian faith with politics. What does Scripture tell us about the role of government in our world? How has human nature led to conflicts among nations? What truths in God’s Word can be applied to all citizens living in an indirect democracy like the United States? You’ll discover how politics and faith intersect.

Real-world Political Exposure — You'll have an opportunity to experience a semester in Washington, D.C., getting a firsthand look at politics in our nation's capital. As part of D.C. Semester, you'll also be able to complete a valuable internship.

What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?

Political science students develop a diverse skill set that leads to an array of career paths. A solid understanding of the political system leads some graduates to work for elected politicians, on campaigns, or in governmental agencies. Others use their knowledge and analytical skills to work in "think tanks," nonprofits, and private corporations. Many of our graduates also take advanced degrees in law, political science, and public administration. Simply put, our students develop oral and written communication skills, and they learn to reason critically, analytically, and quantitatively. This prepares them for success in a plethora of fields.

Political Science graduates can pursue careers in:

  • Campaign Management
  • Federal Government
  • Interest Groups
  • Journalism
  • Non-governmental Organizations
  • Public and International Affairs
  • State and Local Government

Our graduates are working at places such as:

  • Americans for Prosperity
  • Family Research Council
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • FreedomWorks
  • Government Accounting Office
  • Law firms in Boston; Washington, D.C.; Cleveland; Minneapolis; Dayton; Denver; and elsewhere
  • U.S. House of Representatives
  • U.S. military
  • U.S. Senate
  • Williams Companies
  • Yelp

Our graduates are studying at schools such as:

  • Case Western
  • Georgetown
  • Indiana University
  • Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
  • University of Dallas
  • University of Georgia
  • University of Kentucky
  • University of Virginia
  • Washington University

Graduate and professional programs and employers welcome Cedarville University graduates each year. It is important to note that most professional career fields you may pursue require additional education, experience, and/or licensure beyond the completion of your Cedarville University undergraduate degree.

Placement Success

We're proud of our successful graduates! 100% of recent graduates from the Department of History and Government were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Check out Cedarville's other placement rates.

Cedarville's Placement Rates

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Internships in Washington, D.C. — You can join fellow students and a faculty member for a life-changing D.C. Semester experience of learning, development, and service. As part of your D.C. experience, you will complete a valuable real-world internship that will help you decide what career options to pursue, build your résumé, and provide experience that sets you apart from those you will be competing against in the job market. As part of D.C. Semester, our students have interned at the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, The Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, FreedomWorks, National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Republican National Committee, the Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, among others.

The Center for Political Studies — Discover biblical responses to the political and social issues of our day. Center Director Dr. Mark Caleb Smith is highly sought after by local media as an expert on state and national political issues. Explore the Center for Political Studies.

Program Curriculum

Building on your core liberal arts and Bible minor courses, you will take courses in a variety of areas, including law, political philosophy, international relations, and American government. You will get a well-rounded education in politics, plus the ability to dig deeper, through seminar courses, in areas of special interest like religion and politics, campaigns and elections, nationalism, constitutional law, and key political thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Locke, and Tocqueville.

Sample courses:

  • American Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Rights
  • Campaigns and Elections

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers graduate and undergraduate programs with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you choose the degree or program that is the best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Undergraduate
  • 4-Year
  • Residential
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From Our Students:

  • The faculty go out of their way to serve students and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage the world critically as a follower of Christ. The professors are not only incredibly knowledgeable in their fields, but they never cease to challenge me and push me to work harder, think deeper, and reach farther in my education and in my future career. I am beyond blessed to have been a part of this department.
    – Emily Gifford '21 Department of History and Government
    Emily Gifford
Job and Grad School Placement

Program Faculty

Photo of Mark Caleb Smith

Mark Caleb Smith, PhD

Dean, School of Arts and Humanities; Director of the Center for Political Studies; Professor of Political Science

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Glen Duerr, PhD

Chair, History and Government; Professor of International Studies

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Photo of Gabriel De Arruda Castro

Gabriel De Arruda Castro, PhD

Assistant Professor of International Relations

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Photo of Deborah Groen

Deborah Groen, PhD

Assistant Professor of Political Science

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Christine Kim, PhD

Associate Professor of International Studies

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Photo of Justin Lyons

Justin Lyons, PhD

Professor of Political Science

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Photo of Kevin Sims

Kevin Sims, PhD

Senior Professor of Political Science

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Department of History and Government
school of Arts and Humanities

Program News

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    Secret Service and the Zero-Fail Mission

    Jeff Rinehart, a 1993 Cedarville graduate and longtime Secret Service leader, explains the agency’s “zero fail” standard—quiet excellence in protection, investigations, and service that safeguards people, stops fraud, and confronts cybercrime worldwide.
  • Dr. Lou Lilite sits at the piano in his office with bookshelves in the background.

    Beyond Politics: A Haitian Immigrant’s Call To See People

    Cedarville music professor Dr. Lou Lilite, a Haitian immigrant and U.S. citizen, urges neighbors to see immigrants as people, not labels. Visiting Springfield Haitians, he listens, explains systems, and shares hope amid parole uncertainty.