Political Science Major (BA and minor)
Our Political Science major is designed to help you understand the big ideas that shaped our nation, the importance of our founding documents, and the way our political system works. Our Political Science major has three important aspects that will benefit you.
First, you’ll read some of the greatest thinkers and writers who have influenced our political system. You’ll explore the classic works of ancient thinkers like Plato, Aristotle and Cicero. You’ll see the influence of the Middle Ages by reading Augustine and Aquinas. Then, you’ll read great books that helped build our nation. These include books written by John Locke, Montesquieu, Blackstone, the Founding Fathers, Tocqueville and many more. By the time you finish our Political Science program, you’ll be well-versed on the big ideas that shaped our country and still influence our political system.
You’ll also get to know our founding documents very well. All of our students take a basic class on the content of the Constitution, where you’ll explore the document line-by-line, discuss the intent of the Founding Fathers and explore the implications for modern politics. You can take classes that focus on the intellectual origins of the American Founding where you’ll read things like the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address. In our Constitutional Law class, you’ll study famous court cases and develop an understanding of jurisprudence, the Court’s decision, and the impact of those cases. And we have a number of new and exciting law classes for students interested in going to law school.
Finally, all of our Political Science major courses are designed to enhance your analytic and communication skills. All of our classes require a substantial amount of reading, writing and discussion. As a Political Science major, we’ll help sharpen your ability to synthesize data, explain complex theories and ideas and communicate effectively. We’ll help prepare you for a career in law, politics, public service or business. The study of Political Science is more than just current events and politics. It’s about formulating a worldview, wanting to be an advocate for change and having the skills to make it happen.
Success Stories from HCU Graduates
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- Law schools at the University of Texas, Baylor, Emory, William & Mary, and University of Houston
- District Attorney- Henderson County
- Various Law Firms and Private Law Practices – national and international
- Director of Public Policy at ConocoPhillips
- Director of Communications, National School Choice Week
- Director of Strategy – Polymath Innovations (Social Media Company)
- Chief of Staff to Dr. Ben Carson/American Cornerstone Institute
- Staffer in Senator Ted Cruz’s Washington DC Office
- Staffer in Senator John Cornyn’s Texas Office
- Staffer in Governor Abbott’s Austin Office
- Staffer in Department of Housing & Urban Development, Washington DC
- Case Manager – Career and Recovery Resources (Social Work)
- Business Planning Manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprises
- Project Manager at Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
- Pastor of Community Ministries at Oakwood Church
What Students Have to Say
“My years spent studying political science were some of the most rewarding of my life, and gave me a strong foundation for working in political advocacy before attending law school. Anyone who wants to work in these fields, or simply to become a better citizen our Republic, would benefit from the strong curriculum and wonderful professors at HCU.” – Calvin Maynard, BA ’19 | Law Student at South Texas College of Law
“I remain extremely grateful for my time at Houston Christian University. HCU offered instruction in an intimate learning setting and placed a keen emphasis on the classics which had a major impact in both my pursuit of higher education and my career path. The foundation that was established during my time at HCU will be the primary factor for future success.”- Drew McCall, BA ’12 | Chief Operating Officer, American Cornerstone Institute
“The Political Science program has pushed me to think critically about our nation’s past, present, and future. The professors not only took interest in my professional development, but also my character development, preparing me to be an ethical and effective leader.” – Antonio Aranda, BA ’22
“My political science classes have shown me the necessity of studying ideas throughout history and of noticing patterns in them. They have stressed that all political and philosophical thought is ultimately divided into one of two worldviews: one which holds that human beings are rational creatures whose purpose and happiness lie in living honorably according to a universal standard of right, and another which argues that there is no eternal standard of justice and so our actions are to be determined solely by whatever is deemed useful. My classes have all demonstrated that adopting the former is far more conducive to human freedom and that the latter cannot end in anything other than misery and enslavement for any country who follows it.” – Marisol Balderas, BA ’24
What’s Next?
For more information about course listings and requirements, click the “course catalog” button at the top of this page.
You may also be interested in learning about the Morris Family Center for Law & Liberty which serves to promote an appreciation of American history and understanding of our nation’s founding principles including liberty, limited government, the rule of law, and free enterprise.
We would love to have you study with us. Apply today!