Program Overview
The Politics and International Relations program explores how people make collective decisions through government. From a Christian perspective, politics is part of God's provision for Creation, a means of reconciling self-interest and social interaction. The major nurtures the analytical, verbal, and written abilities that are the hallmark of the liberal arts.
Faculty encourage students to think independently, engage opposing points of view, and develop an abiding concern for public life in the interest of social justice. These perspectives prepare students for thoughtful and meaningful participation in democracy to solve problems facing society. Moreover, students analyze the forces of globalization—the power relationships responsible for an increasingly integrated world.
Students have the opportunity to pursue internships in a variety of sectors, conduct specialized research, and apply their learning through off-campus study in the US and abroad. Our graduates have served in various capacities in both the public and the private sphere including but not limited to: law, consulting, business administration, data analytics, government relations, journalism, think tanks campaign management, non-profit creation and administration, foreign service, national security, and, of course, government service.
Qualified students interested in pursuing graduate school in public policy are eligible to participate in an accelerated 3+2 program in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Public Policy and Management. Students participating in this program complete three years of academic work at Messiah University followed by two years of graduate work at the Heinz School. At the end of the five-year program, the student receives a B.A. in Politics from Messiah University and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Students applying to this program must be approved by the Messiah program coordinator and meet all Carnegie Mellon Heinz School admission requirements. The submission of a five to seven-page faith-politics integration paper under the direction of the Program Coordinator will be required for admission into the Public Policy and Management program.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates from Messiah’s Politics program can:
1. Explain foundational content, practices and philosophical and ethical assumptions of political science.
2. Explain the empirical and normative approaches of political science inquiry.
3. Demonstrate commitment to representative democracy, human rights and freedoms, civic engagement, rule of law, and government accountability.
4. Demonstrate writing, information search methods, and forms of documentation appropriate to the discipline of Political Science and the procedures for pursuing research in the discipline of Political Science.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in the field of political science sufficient to pursue a career and/or continue education at the graduate level.
6. Identify options for employment, voluntary service, and/or graduate education in the field of Political Science and identify one’s sense of vocation in this field.
7. Articulate how faith connects to the field of Political Science and to potential career options in the field of Political Science.
8. Explain the impact of political forces, institutions, policy and law on the American political system.
Major Requirements
Messiah University course requirements (3 years)
POLI 212 and 213 fulfill writing in the major requirement.
Carnegie Mellon University course requirements (2 years)
| MS Public Policy and Management Capstone Course | 3 |
| Four 12-unit* courses in public policy, political science, and/or methodology from Carnegie Mellon University’s MS in Public Policy and Management curriculum | 12 |
*Carnegie Mellon University defines a 12-unit course as the equivalent of a 3 semester hour course.
Note: The submission of a 5-7 page faith-politics integration paper under the direction of the Program Coordinator will be required for admission into the Public Policy and Management program. Students are strongly encouraged to take STAT 269 to prepare for the rigor of this program.