Law & Pre-Law
The Pre-Law Track and constitutional law coursework prepare students directly for law school and legal careers in government, advocacy, and private practice.
Political Science is the study of power — who has it, how they got it, and what they do with it. Students examine political ideas, institutions, and behavior across both U.S. and international systems, drawing on history, economics, psychology, and philosophy along the way.
The major builds research and analytical skills through a shared core, then opens into either a broad set of electives or a dedicated Pre-Law Track built around constitutional law and international legal institutions. Every student completes a Senior Seminar — a team-taught capstone that changes topic each year.
Graduates go on to careers in government, law, international organizations, nonprofits, and private business, as well as graduate study in political science, public policy, and law.
Requirements
Introduction Course
One of: POLS 103 Global Realities · POLS 111 Introduction to Political Science
4 hrs
Political Theory
One of: POLS 204 Introduction to Feminist Political Thought · POLS 205 Introduction to Political Theory · POLS 239 American Political Thought
4 hrs
POLS 206
Introduction to Comparative Politics
4 hrs
POLS 210
Introduction to International Relations
4 hrs
POLS 212
Introduction to American Government
4 hrs
POLS 265
Research Methods
4 hrs
Electives or Pre-Law Track
Choose one path — Electives: four electives with at least 12 credits from 300+ level courses. OR Pre-Law Track: POLS 239 American Political Thought · POLS 345 International Law and Organizations · POLS 371 Constitutional Law I: The Federal System · POLS 372 Constitutional Law II: Substantive Rights
16 hrs
POLS 499
Senior Seminar
4 hrs
Total Hours Required
44
*Electives are not applicable if the Pre-Law Track is chosen. Pre-Law Track is not applicable if the Electives section is chosen.
Introduction Course
One of: POLS 103 Global Realities · POLS 111 Introduction to Political Science
4 hrs
Political Theory
One of: POLS 205 Introduction to Political Theory · POLS 239 American Political Thought
4 hrs
POLS Elective
4 hrs
300/400-level POLS Electives
Two Political Science electives at the 300/400 level
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
International Organizations and Diplomacy
Hampton Roads is the headquarters for international organizations, including North American Treaty Organizations Allied Command Transformation (NATO-ACT). Batten University's established relationships with such organizations provide a unique opportunity for students to develop knowledge of diplomacy in coordination with such entities. The International Organizations and Diplomacy Certificate focuses on the theory and practice of diplomatic actions, with a special emphasis on diplomacy within international organizations. For more information, please contact the Office of Enrollment Services.
CourseHrs.
POLS 210 Introduction to International Relations
4
POLS 345 International Law and Organizations
4
Select one
POLS 347 Model United Nations
4
POLS 373 Conflict Management
4
Select one
POLS 250 Introduction to International Political Economy
4
POLS 240 Topics in International Organizations and Diplomacy
4
POLS 344 European Union in World Politics
4
POLS 348 International Human Rights
4
POLS 350 Immigration and Citizenship
4
POLS 453 Globalization and Its Discontents
4
POLS 440 American Foreign Policy
4
Total Credit Hours
16
Graduate & Dual Degree Pathways
Political Science students have access to guaranteed and preferred admission pathways to law school and graduate public policy programs through Batten University's partnership agreements. Contact your advisor for current eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Appalachian School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Appalachian School of Law in six years.
Regent University — School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Regent University School of Law in six years.
University of Virginia
Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
Preferred AdmissionOne reserved seat per year — including an annual fellowship — for a Batten Honors College graduate meeting admission criteria for the Master of Public Policy.
Career Outcomes
Government & Public Service
Prepare for careers at the local, state, and federal level — from legislative staff and campaign work to public administration and policy analysis.
International Affairs & Diplomacy
Coursework in international relations, security studies, and global organizations supports careers in diplomacy, intelligence, and international NGOs.
Graduate Study
A strong foundation for graduate programs in political science, public policy, international affairs, and law.
Faculty
James Moskowitz
Batten Lecturer in Political Science
,Interim Director of Men'
s and Women'
s Tennis,Coordinator of NATO Partnership
757-455-3340
Bray Village C
Leslie Caughell
Associate Professor of Political Science,Chair of Political Science
757-233-8853
104 Eggleston Commons, Bray Village
Modupe Oshikoya
Associate Professor of Political Science and Coordinator of International,Studies
757-455-2102
Bray Village E
Antje Schwennicke
Associate Professor of Political Science
Coordinator of NATO Partnership
757-937-3071
Bray Village D
Political Science is the study of power — who has it, how they got it, and what they do with it. Students examine political ideas, institutions, and behavior across both U.S. and international systems, drawing on history, economics, psychology, and philosophy along the way.
The major builds research and analytical skills through a shared core, then opens into either a broad set of electives or a dedicated Pre-Law Track built around constitutional law and international legal institutions. Every student completes a Senior Seminar — a team-taught capstone that changes topic each year.
Graduates go on to careers in government, law, international organizations, nonprofits, and private business, as well as graduate study in political science, public policy, and law.
Requirements
Introduction Course
One of: POLS 103 Global Realities · POLS 111 Introduction to Political Science
4 hrs
Political Theory
One of: POLS 204 Introduction to Feminist Political Thought · POLS 205 Introduction to Political Theory · POLS 239 American Political Thought
4 hrs
POLS 206
Introduction to Comparative Politics
4 hrs
POLS 210
Introduction to International Relations
4 hrs
POLS 212
Introduction to American Government
4 hrs
POLS 265
Research Methods
4 hrs
Electives or Pre-Law Track
Choose one path — Electives: four electives with at least 12 credits from 300+ level courses. OR Pre-Law Track: POLS 239 American Political Thought · POLS 345 International Law and Organizations · POLS 371 Constitutional Law I: The Federal System · POLS 372 Constitutional Law II: Substantive Rights
16 hrs
POLS 499
Senior Seminar
4 hrs
Total Hours Required
44
*Electives are not applicable if the Pre-Law Track is chosen. Pre-Law Track is not applicable if the Electives section is chosen.
Introduction Course
One of: POLS 103 Global Realities · POLS 111 Introduction to Political Science
4 hrs
Political Theory
One of: POLS 205 Introduction to Political Theory · POLS 239 American Political Thought
4 hrs
POLS Elective
4 hrs
300/400-level POLS Electives
Two Political Science electives at the 300/400 level
8 hrs
Total Hours Required
20
International Organizations and Diplomacy
Hampton Roads is the headquarters for international organizations, including North American Treaty Organizations Allied Command Transformation (NATO-ACT). Batten University's established relationships with such organizations provide a unique opportunity for students to develop knowledge of diplomacy in coordination with such entities. The International Organizations and Diplomacy Certificate focuses on the theory and practice of diplomatic actions, with a special emphasis on diplomacy within international organizations. For more information, please contact the Office of Enrollment Services.
CourseHrs.
POLS 210 Introduction to International Relations
4
POLS 345 International Law and Organizations
4
Select one
POLS 347 Model United Nations
4
POLS 373 Conflict Management
4
Select one
POLS 250 Introduction to International Political Economy
4
POLS 240 Topics in International Organizations and Diplomacy
4
POLS 344 European Union in World Politics
4
POLS 348 International Human Rights
4
POLS 350 Immigration and Citizenship
4
POLS 453 Globalization and Its Discontents
4
POLS 440 American Foreign Policy
4
Total Credit Hours
16
Graduate & Dual Degree Pathways
Political Science students have access to guaranteed and preferred admission pathways to law school and graduate public policy programs through Batten University's partnership agreements. Contact your advisor for current eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Appalachian School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Appalachian School of Law in six years.
Regent University — School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dual Degree 3+3Earn a Bachelor's degree from Batten and a JD from Regent University School of Law in six years.
University of Virginia
Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
Preferred AdmissionOne reserved seat per year — including an annual fellowship — for a Batten Honors College graduate meeting admission criteria for the Master of Public Policy.
Career Outcomes
Law & Pre-Law
The Pre-Law Track and constitutional law coursework prepare students directly for law school and legal careers in government, advocacy, and private practice.
Government & Public Service
Prepare for careers at the local, state, and federal level — from legislative staff and campaign work to public administration and policy analysis.
International Affairs & Diplomacy
Coursework in international relations, security studies, and global organizations supports careers in diplomacy, intelligence, and international NGOs.
Graduate Study
A strong foundation for graduate programs in political science, public policy, international affairs, and law.
Faculty
James Moskowitz
Batten Lecturer in Political Science
,Interim Director of Men'
s and Women'
s Tennis,Coordinator of NATO Partnership
757-455-3340
Bray Village C
Leslie Caughell
Associate Professor of Political Science,Chair of Political Science
757-233-8853
104 Eggleston Commons, Bray Village
Modupe Oshikoya
Associate Professor of Political Science and Coordinator of International,Studies
757-455-2102
Bray Village E
Antje Schwennicke
Associate Professor of Political Science
Coordinator of NATO Partnership
757-937-3071
Bray Village D