Political Science (5026)

Our program will offer you the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that you can use to apply to a four-year school to complete a bachelor’s degree in Political Science or Public Policy.  In addition, these skills can be applied to a variety of positions, both paid and volunteer, in the field of public policy and community service.  This degree prepares a student for positions and can enhance the skills of those already employed in state, local or federal government as well as the private sector, including:

• Policy Analyst
• Foreign Service Officer
• Politician
• Staff for Elected Official
• Administrative Officer
• Budget Analyst
• Program Director
• Lobbyist
• Communications advisor
• Community Organizer
• Nonprofit worker

Individuals who are most successful in these positions are those who possess:

• strong interpersonal communication skills
• organizational skills
• research skills
   

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Our Political Science program allows you to choose from two areas of study: Political Science or Public Policy.

If you choose to select the Political Science option, your studies will focus upon

• law, as it relates to the political realm
• political science
• public service
• foreign service

If you choose to select the Public Policy option, your studies will focus upon the knowledge and skills that lead to or enhance careers in:

• federal, state and local government
• nonprofit agencies and organizations

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:

• Use oral and written communications - proper mechanics, clear wording and logical sequence - to convey knowledge of civics foundation necessary to effectively participate in politics
• Use appropriate technological tools to identify, locate, access, communicate and cite sources of information, including peer reviewed articles
• Critically evaluate information for legitimacy, validity and appropriateness, including partisanship and bias
• Integrate information into projects that involve critical analysis
• Explain terminology, institutions, processes, policy constructs and issues associated with political science/public policy
• Evaluate the current social issues and events and how they correlate to the legislative process and their relevance to society and individual citizens
• Participate in civil discussions with others of diverse viewpoints
• Listen to and evaluate various political views
• Identify Social Science methodologies
• Develop and apply problem solving skills to address issues that arise in one’s community
• Identify one’s own prejudices and biases to facilitate problem solving skills in one’s community
• Actively engage in the community through service projects, internships, case studies, and/or civic participation, in order to identify problems/issues that exist

• View summaries of every course at HACC by browsing our class schedules database.

• Review our program guide (pdf) to view a list of required courses, recommended course sequencing and program competencies.

Affordably YOURS, our two-year degree program is a transfer program. We designed our programs to be flexible enough to transfer to a wide variety of four-year colleges and universities with no loss of credit. If your intended transfer school participates in Pennsylvania’s statewide college credit transfer system, you will be able to begin at the junior level. Our programs also transfer well to schools outside of the statewide system. However, each individual college has its own unique program. We encourage you to select a four-year school as soon as possible. This will allow you to learn the transfer college’s program requirements so you can take the proper classes at HACC.

Our various transfer options include:

For your convenience, you may complete our program entirely through asynchronous instruction. In addition, you may complete this program at our Harrisburg, Lancaster and York campuses through various modalities (e.g., on-campus/in-person instruction, hybrid, synchronous remote instruction and/or asynchronous instruction).

Yes! We offer many scholarships through the HACC Foundation. Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. To learn how to apply, please visit hacc.edu/Scholarships.

You can complete spring, summer and fall classes at HACC. Submit your application anytime by visiting our website. When you submit your application, make sure to include the specific program code 5026. By using this code, you will ensure you are applying for the correct program.
 

Future students, we are excited to connect with you and answer your questions. Please choose the option that works best for you to meet with us.

Current HACC students, please contact our Advising Department with any questions.