Holy Cross students who major in political science gain in-depth understanding of the American political system, other political regimes, the international system, and political philosophy. In uniformly small classes, students also improve their critical and analytical skills and competence in oral and written expression.
Political science is one of Holy Cross’ most popular majors. The major is rigorously structured so as to ensure breadth as well as depth, with courses required in each of the discipline’s four subfields. Department faculty conceive the most fundamental purpose of the major as helping students to become thoughtful, well-informed, and ethical citizens of a constitutional, self-governing republic. Political science majors have gone on to successful careers in local, state, and federal government, academia, law, journalism, business, high-school teaching, nonprofit organizations, the armed forces, and the priesthood.
Program Highlights
- American government
- political philosophy
- comparative politics
- international relations
![students and a professor in a class](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/mrf/190a9777_small.jpg?h=8b19e8cb&itok=IDdFsapG)
![students in a classroom with a powerpoint](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/mrf/rs100833_mg_7105_small.jpg?h=8b19e8cb&itok=eaVnVKRw)
The program brings guest lecturers to campus, funds a sophomore seminar and provides paid summer research internships.
![Group of students in Washington DC](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/mrf/rs124798_image.jpg?h=8b19e8cb&itok=mB4lnrnZ)
Many political science majors spend a semester working, studying, and conducting research in Washington, D.C.
Political Science News
![Image](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360_fp/public/news_item_images/Bell_002_jpg.png?h=a07bdf24&itok=PFJAMq4f)
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![Class of 2023 Washington Semester Program students pose on the steps of the Capitol in fall 2021.](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360_fp/public/news_item_images/Newsroom-Spring-22-12.jpg?h=c52d5dab&itok=HuH-Ff26)