A Semester in Florence, Italy
Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate programs
The Department of Political Science & International Relations at the University of Delaware offers a dynamic and engaging undergraduate program that prepares students for a wide range of career paths. With a focus on critical thinking, research, and hands-on learning, our department provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the political, social, and global forces that shape our world. Whether you're interested in domestic policy, international affairs, or the intersection of the two, our program will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today's rapidly changing global landscape.
For more information about our undergraduate majors and minors, please get in touch with Dr. Kyong -Min Son, (kmson@udel.edu), Director of Undergraduate Studies, or Barbara Ford (barbford@udel.edu), Academic Program Coordinator. For further information our our Legal Studies minor, contact Dr. Wayne Batchis, J.D. (batchisw@udel.edu).
- International Relations — Development and Political Economy Concentration (BA)
- International Relations — Diplomacy and Global Order Concentration (BA)
- International Relations — Societies and Beliefs Concentration (BA)
- International Relations — U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security Concentration (BA)
Interdisciplinary 4+1 Program
Complete your bachelor's degree and a master's program in just five years!
The Biden School of Public Policy and Administration (Biden School) proposes a new 4+1 program with the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BA-PS). This accelerated program would parallel the successful 4+1 programs of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) with the Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy/Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Community Leadership/Bachelor of Arts in English.
Current undergraduate students enrolled in the BA in Political Science or Honors BA in Political Science program are eligible to apply to the accelerated BA/MPA program after completing 60 credits, which is typically the fall of their junior year.
Complete the academic requirements for the BA in Political Science.
- In consultation with advisors in the Political Science department and the Biden School, complete 6 credits of coursework from the MPA curriculum to dual count for the Political Science and MPA degree requirements.
Complete the requirements for the minor in public policy.
The Class That Will Stay With Me
As the University of Delaware Class of 2025 gets ready for Commencement, we asked seniors what classes had the biggest impact on them during their Blue Hen career. During her Blue Hen career senior Khadija Daramy interned with the Delaware Family Court during Winter Session and the Delaware Department of Justice. Here she shares the class that will stay with her after graduation. Congratulations Khadija!
UD 2025 Graduate Khadija Daramy shares “The Class That Will Stay With Me”: youtube.com/watch?v=pORZ91E-QwM
This 15-credit interdisciplinary minor in international relations is designed for students who want to understand the complex political, economic, legal and social forces that shape our interconnected world. Developed by the Department of Political Science and International Relations, the minor complements a wide range of majors by providing a strong foundation in the history, institutions, theories and systems of governance that shape international relations and affect nearly every aspect of life. A flexible curriculum allows students to pursue their academic interests while developing knowledge and skills they can apply across disciplines and careers.
Students who complete the minor will be able to:
- Understand foundational theories, concepts, institutions and issues in international and comparative politics.
- Apply critical thinking, research, communication and problem-solving skills to analyze real-world international challenges through case studies and simulations.
- Integrate perspectives from their major and other areas of study to deepen their understanding of global issues and the interconnected nature of international relations.
The minor in legal studies allows undergraduate students to explore the law from an interdisciplinary perspective. The law is central to social sciences, humanities, business, and public policy theories and research. Courses concerned with law are available in a variety of departments, including political science, sociology, communication, economics, history, accounting (business law), finance (corporate governance), applied economics and statistics (environmental law), marine studies, education, and urban affairs.
This program is designed for any student who is interested in examining the law and its influence on society from a variety of perspectives. Legal studies is not a “pre-law” program, and it does not offer paralegal training. However, the program is a suitable minor for those who plan to pursue professional training. For information on pre-law advisement, consult the Legal Professional Preparatory Program with the UD College of Arts and Sciences.
If you have any questions, or are in need of advising, please contact Barbara Ford at legal-studies@udel.edu.
Wayne Batchis
Professor
Political Theory and Constitutional Law
Director, Legal Studies Program
Political Theory and Constitutional Law
Director, Legal Studies Program
Office: 466 Smith Hall
Available to all University of Delaware undergraduates, a minor in political communication encourages students to become leaders in their communities. It provides opportunities to experience multidisciplinary teaching and research in the leading edge concepts of political communication and digital technology, as expressed and experienced in political campaigns and public policy debates at the local and national levels.
A minor in political science allows students to explore the study of government, politics, public policy and political behavior. It complements a student's major area of study by providing a deeper understanding of political systems, institutions, processes and theory. Combining a major with a political science minor allows students to develop a well-rounded understanding of societal issues and prepare for various career paths.
This 18-credit interdisciplinary minor in politics & social justice (PSJ) has been designed for those students who want to understand and change social injustices and are seeking the necessary theoretical and practical tools to do so. The Department of Political Science & International Relations (POSCIR) has developed this interdisciplinary minor that focuses on both local and global social injustice and social movements. Upon completing this minor students shall: (1) understand the causes of domestic and international inequalities in social, economic, and political rights and opportunities, (2) have explored both theoretical and practical solutions towards addressing these inequalities, (3) have gained practical experience working with a social justice organization to address these inequalities.
Partnering Departments
To establish this interdisciplinary minor, the Department of Political Science & International Relations has partnered with the Departments of Africana Studies, Anthropology, History, Sociology & Criminal Justice, Women & Gender Studies, and the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration.
Kyong -Min Son,
Director of Undergraduate Studies
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Academic programs
The Department of Political Science and International Relations offers three majors, each with an honors degree option:
B.A. in political science
B.A. in international relations
B.A. in political science education
We also offer four minors: political science, political communication, politics and social justice and legal studies.
Our courses help students build skills that prepare them for a wide range of professions, including:
Developing analytical and critical-thinking skills as well as strong written and oral communication skills
Working productively with peers through problem-based learning experiences such as mock trials and simulations
The political science major
Students may complete the political science major:
With a concentration in American politics, global politics or law, politics and theory for more in-depth study of topics and issues
Without a concentration for a broad overview of political science
The international relations major
Students select one concentration and one regional specialization.
Concentrations | Regional specializations |
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Area studies minors
The international relations major also provides a foundation for students who want to deepen their understanding of the politics, culture and history of a particular region. Students can complement the major with courses or a minor in one of the University’s area studies programs: African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies and Latin American and Iberian Studies.
Experiential learning
We encourage our majors to take advantage of the many experiential learning opportunities available at the University of Delaware. Students can:
Conduct undergraduate research with a faculty member
Study abroad during Winter Session or Summer Session
Intern with an organization related to political science or international relations
Participate in service learning
Serve as an undergraduate teaching assistant for one of our courses
Legal studies
Many of our majors plan to pursue careers in law and complement their political science or international relations major with a minor in legal studies. For more information, contact Wayne Batchis, J.D., at batchisw@udel.edu.
For more information about our undergraduate majors and minors, contact Kyong-Min Son, director of undergraduate studies, at kmson@udel.edu, or Barbara Ford, academic program coordinator, at barbford@udel.edu.
Additional resources and opportunities
