Best Political Science Programs in Kentucky for 2027

Kentucky’s major opens with 12 hours across four fields: American Government, a comparative course, International Relations, and either Introduction to Political Theory or Introduction to Political Analysis. After that you complete 39 more hours split three ways: 18 hours of political science (at least 15 at the 300 level or above), 15 hours of related courses outside the department, and 6 hours of political science or approved outside courses, which can include 1 to 6 hours of PS 399. Of the 39 hours, 24 must be 300 or above. Its 93 degrees awarded in 2023–24 make it one of the larger options on its state page.

Introductory Fields

American politics, comparative politics, international relations and theory or methodology

Outside Coursework

15 hours of related, non-political science courses

Other Courses

6 hours of political science or approved outside courses, including PS 399

Program Sources: Political Science Major

Louisville builds its Political Science BA on a 15-hour department core: introductions to American, comparative and international politics, Political Science Research Methods, and a Senior Seminar that also serves as the culminating experience. You then choose the Applied Politics track, the Global Politics and International Affairs track, or no track and shape your own sequence. Arts and Sciences adds an intermediate level of one foreign language. Majors with a GPA of about 3.2 can apply for the accelerated BA/MA and count 9 to 12 graduate hours toward both degrees. With 76 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is one of the larger programs on its state page.

Tracks

Applied Politics, Global Politics and International Affairs, or no track

Methods and Capstone

POLS 390 Research Methods and POLS 495 Senior Seminar

Accelerated Option

BA/MA with 9 to 12 graduate credit hours counted toward both

Program Sources: Political Science, BA | University of Louisville

Centre’s Politics major skips concentrations and spreads you across the discipline. Six foundations come first: Political Ideologies & Issues, Political Institutions, an American political thought course, Law and Society, Introduction to International Relations, and Introduction to Political Analysis. Five upper-level courses follow, one each in political theory, public law, institutions policy and identity, comparative or international politics, plus one more at the 300 level or higher. Many majors study abroad in England, France, Japan or Mexico, or spend a full term in the Centre-in-Washington Internship Program. The 2023–24 total was 21 degrees.

Foundations

Six required courses from ideologies and institutions to law, international relations and political analysis

Upper-Level Spread

One course each in theory, public law, policy and identity, and comparative or international politics

Washington Term

Centre-in-Washington Internship Program for a full term of credit

Program Sources: Politics | Centre CollegePolitics Major | Centre College Catalog 2026-2027

Every Murray State political science major also completes an 18-hour minor, so plan that choice early. The major itself has 25 required hours, starting with a Transitions seminar and ending with a Senior Seminar in Political Science, with Writing and Inquiry in the Social Sciences and Research Methods in between. The foundations include State and Local Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics and Political Theory. You then add 18 hours of electives numbered 300 to 499. A Political Science/Legal Studies track serves pre-law students. Murray awarded 12 political science degrees in 2023–24.

Required Core

25 hours from Transitions through Research Methods to Senior Seminar

Required Minor

18 hours in a second field

Pre-Law Track

Political Science/Legal Studies Track (Pre-Law Program)

Program Sources: Political Science Program | Murray State University

Western Kentucky’s 36-hour BA begins with American National Government, International Politics and Introduction to Citizenship. Using Statistics in Political Science or Research Design in Political Science fills the methods slot, and a Senior Seminar in Government closes the major. In between you pick one course from each required category, such as comparative politics and area studies (Politics of North Korea, Chinese Politics), institutions (The American Presidency, The Legislative Process) and policy and behavior (Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior, Fundamentals of Political Campaign Management), then add 12 hours of electives. A minor or second major is required.

Methods Choice

PS 301 Using Statistics or PS 302 Research Design

Senior Course

PS 499 Senior Seminar in Government

Minor Requirement

A minor or second major is required

Program Sources: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (686) | WKU Catalog

Northern Kentucky’s major walks you through six areas of the discipline: American politics, comparative politics, international politics, law, political theory and public policy. Alongside the literature, you pick up the methodological tools needed for critical analysis of political institutions and public policy. Students in the program often intern with a Kentucky legislator in Frankfort through the Future Leaders Internship Program, present research at the Celebration of Student Research and Posters at the Capital, and join the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society. The 2023–24 count was 14 degrees.

Areas of Study

American, comparative and international politics, law, political theory and public policy

Legislative Internship

Future Leaders Internship Program in Frankfort

Honor Society

Pi Sigma Alpha

Program Sources: Political Science, B.A. | Northern Kentucky University

Morehead State builds the major on eight required courses: Introduction to Political Theory, United States Government, Methods of Political Inquiry, Introduction to Comparative Politics, U.S. Foreign Policy, Constitutional Law, American Public Policy and a Senior Seminar. A subfield requirement then asks for one course from each advanced subfield, beginning with political theory. The Political Science Major Field Test is given in the Senior Seminar, where the citizenship test first used in United States Government comes around again. A Public Policy track is available too. With 5 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is a small cohort.

Required Core

24 hours from Political Theory through Public Policy

Capstone

POLS 499C Senior Seminar with the Major Field Test

Track Option

Political Science with a Public Policy track

Program Sources: Political Science Major – Bachelor of Arts | Morehead State Catalog 2026-2027

Eastern Kentucky gives every major the same seven-course core: American government, comparative politics, world politics, political philosophy, Research and Writing in Political Science, a choice between public administration and public policy, and a Capstone Course in Political Science. On top of that you complete 15 hours of courses numbered 300 or above, with at least three hours each in three of four areas. American politics options include Urban Politics, Kentucky Government and Politics, and Political Parties and Interest Groups. In 2023–24 the program awarded 19 degrees.

Core Courses

Seven required, from American government to a Capstone Course in Political Science

Writing and Research

POL 280 Research and Writing in Political Science

Upper-Level Spread

15 hours, with at least three hours each in three of four areas

Program Sources: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) | EKU Catalog

Transylvania uses Lexington as a working lab for political science. Campus sits a short walk from city hall, the federal and county courthouses and dozens of law firms and nonprofits, and students intern, work and shadow at local public-sector organizations through the year. Mentoring comes through the 100 Doors to Success program, and recent students have studied in the Netherlands, China, Spain, Argentina, Morocco, Chile, South Korea and Czechia. Courses of special interest include Constitutional Law, International Law, Political Theory I and II, Politics of the Middle East and U.S. Foreign Policy. Only 8 degrees were awarded in 2023–24, so classes are small.

Local Internships

Law firms, courthouses, the Kentucky General Assembly and federal, state and local agencies

Mentoring

100 Doors to Success program

Courses of Special Interest

Constitutional Law, International Law, Political Theory I and II, U.S. Foreign Policy

Program Sources: Political Science | Transylvania University

Kentucky’s doctorate moves through five stages: general phase coursework, specialized phase coursework, comprehensive field examinations, prospectus work and the dissertation. You take a major field in American politics, comparative politics or international relations, and minor fields can also be institutions, behavior, policy or methods. The prospectus defense doubles as the qualifying exam, and passing it makes you a PhD candidate. Many students are funded as teaching assistants, so you may be teaching classes across the undergraduate curriculum while you study. Seven doctorates were awarded in 2023–24.

Major Fields

American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations

Minor Fields

Those three plus Institutions, Behavior, Policy and Methods

Qualifying Exam

Dissertation prospectus defense

Program Sources: Current Graduate Students | Department of Political Science