Politics & Law, B.A.
Contribute to the development of an informed and thoughtful citizenry.
If you are seeking to develop and critically examine your understanding of issues related to the study of American and world politics, our politics and law degree is the right fit for you.
Within this program you will gain a better understanding of the concept of government including the origin, emergence, integration, transformation, and decline of political communities as well as their institutions and the rules and practices by which they resolve conflicts and make decisions.
You will take away a better understanding of logical reasoning and analysis, oral and written communications, argumentation, and rhetoric.
Request Information
Take the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Arts in Politics & Law degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Get StartedTake the next step toward completing your Bachelor of Arts in Politics & Law degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
With the guidance of Lenoir-Rhyne University's faculty, staff and resources, Alexis has experienced personal and professional growth, positioning herself for a successful future.
Program Overview
As a politics and law student, you will examine the public policies of communities and the manner in which these policies are made - helping you to gain extensive knowledge of how the government operates and how laws affect changes within social and political sectors.
Our curriculum focuses on multiple aspects of political science, with courses including, but not limited to:
- Business Law
- Government and Business
- Political Analysis
- Constitutional Law
- Development of the Legal System
- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Students in our program are exposed to a wide range of content knowledge and ideas from various types of academic disciplines, which in turn helps you to develop the essential skills necessary for carrying out your roles as a thoughtful and knowledgeable citizen.
The opportunities I have gotten as a result of a scholarship at LR have provided me with the passion to strive for excellence in the classroom and the swimming pool.
Learning Inside & Outside the Classroom
Lenoir-Rhyne’s politics and law majors have a number of opportunities to gain valuable work and life experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.
-
Internships & Careers
Politics & law majors may participate in the Lutheran College Washington Semester. Under this program, you participate in a work/study program in Washington, D.C. and complete two seminar courses and an internship. The program emphasizes the ethical dimension of important questions of public affairs.
Majors also have opportunities for a wide array of local and regional internships as part of your studies in government, non-profit and legal settings.
With a bachelor's degree in politics and law from LR, you can find a number of fulfilling careers such as electoral campaigns and elections, politics, administration, legal settings, journalism, business or finance and non-profit work.
The Career and Professional Development Center can help you discover your true personality, explore academic majors and career options, assess your strengths and weaknesses, find internships and part-time work and prepare for life after graduation.
View Internships & Careers -
Student Activities & Organizations
The major supports the university’s Model United Nations (Model UN) program, an experiential learning course in which you participate in a mock United Nations conference. Each year, students research international issues and submit resolutions at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York attended by students from around the world.
Students may also participate in the North Carolina Student Legislature each year, in which you participate in a mock North Carolina General Assembly. You research public policy issues and submit legislation at statewide meetings attended by student delegations from across the state.
View Student Organizations
Major Requirements
Courses in political science are designed to enlighten students about the concept of government including the origin, emergence, integration, transformation and decline of political communities as well as their institutions and the rules and practices by which they resolve conflicts and make decisions. It involves an examination of the public policies of communities and the manner in which these policies are made. The political science major earns a B.A. degree.
In addition, political science in conjunction with other academic programs, offers majors in politics and international relations and in politics and law. Both majors earn B.A. degrees.
Honors
Students majoring in political science and judged qualified by the political science faculty may, upon invitation, elect to pursue honors work in political science. To graduate ''With Honors in Political Science,'' a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, a minimum major GPA of 3.25, and complete POL 498 and POL 499. In addition, they must also write and orally defend an honors thesis and be nominated for honors by the department
-
General Education Requirements (37 hours)
Graduation Requirements (4 hours)
General Education Requirements
- Technical Requirements (15 hours)
-
Major Requirements (45 hours)
- BUS 370 - Business Law I
- ECO 322 - Government and Business
- POL 120 - American Government
- POL 140G - Comparative Politics
- POL 210 - Introduction to Political Analysis
- POL 215 - Statistics for Political and Social Research
- POL 250 - Public Administration
- POL 310 - Research and Writing in Political Science
- POL 323 - Constitutional Law I Development of the Legal System
- POL 324 - Constitutional Law II Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- POL 332 - International Law and Organization
Choose 6 hours from the following options:- POL 410 - Selected Topics in Political Analysis
- POL 420 - Selected Topics in American Politics
- POL 430 - Selected Topics In International Politics
- POL 440 - Selected Topics in Comparative Politics
- POL 450 - Selected Topics in Public Administration and Policy Analysis
- POL 451 - Internship in Economics Political Science and Public Administration
- ECO 322 - Government and Business
- BUS 370 - Business Law I
Choose One Track from the FollowingTrack One - Choose 6 hours:Track Two - Choose 6 hours -
General Elective Credits
General Electives (19 hours) as needed to reach 120 hours overall.
-
Total Credit Hours - Minimum 120 hours
On occasion, technical and/or program requirements may also meet specific General Education requirements. Please confer with your program advisor to determine which courses, if any, may be counted accordingly.
All bachelor's degree programs at Lenoir-Rhyne require at least 120 credit hours. If, in combination, General Education, technical, and program requirements do not generate at least 120 hours, additional credits must be completed to achieve 120 hours. These classes may be general electives, or a student may complete a minor or additional major.
Admission & Financial Aid
-
Undergraduate AdmissionOur admission team is here to assist you in making the college search process as easy as possible. Our counselors are happy to provide the information and guidance you need to submit your application, apply for financial aid and scholarships, visit and tour our campus.
-
Financial AidWe recognize that paying for college is a top concern for students and their families. Our financial aid staff is here to provide you with financial aid options and assistance to help you achieve your educational goals.
Lenoir-Rhyne celebrates the success of Giving Tuesday, an annual global giving movement for the causes and organizations we care most about.
View More
Public health major Jocelyn Florez '25 shares her passion for evaluation, prevention and protection as she does her part to build healthier communities.
View More