Political Science

Political Science: Major

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

Students majoring in political science take courses in four main areas:
 
  • American government
  • political philosophy
  • comparative politics
  • international relations
students and a professor in a class
Subfields

Learn more about the political science department’s four subfields.

students in a classroom with a powerpoint
Charles Carroll Program

The program brings guest lecturers to campus, funds a sophomore seminar and provides paid summer research internships.

Group of students in Washington DC
Washington Semester Program

Many political science majors spend a semester working, studying, and conducting research in Washington, D.C.

Political Science News

Professor Theresa McBride points out a painting to students at a museum in Paris.
‘Paris is a Classroom’: Students Study Revolutionaries and Rebels Through Summer Study Abroad Program
What do Les Miserables’ rebellious Jean Valjean, the writer James Baldwin and 11 College of the Holy Cross students have in common? They know something about French revolutions and artistic rebels. Stephanie Yuhl and Theresa McBride, professors of history, led …
Class of 2020 students in the Odyssey program participate in a scavenger hunt on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester.
Holy Cross Professor and Alumnus Featured in MassLive.com as New ‘Worcesterites’
Worcester is in the midst of a renaissance, with the construction of new hotels, apartments and the transformation of its downtown area. The city’s developing arts and restaurant scene are just some of the attractions its new residents point to. …
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Ten Students and Recent Alumni Receive Prestigious Grants and Scholarships
This spring, College of the Holy Cross students and alumni have won an impressive array of awards from prestigious organizations, including the Fulbright Program, Critical Language Scholarship and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. These accolades speak to the curiosity, intellect and …