Best Political Science Programs in Oklahoma for 2027

Oklahoma’s Department of Political Science is home to over 350 undergraduates on the Norman campus and lets you choose how specialized to get. The general major covers American politics, public policy, public administration, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. Two concentrations sharpen the focus: Law and Policy, and Elections and Campaign Management, which concentrates on campaigns and voter behavior. Students get involved in Student Congress and the P SC Club, and the department says graduates go on to law schools, Washington, D.C., state legislatures, nonprofits, federal law enforcement, the diplomatic corps and political consulting. With 85 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is one of the larger programs on its state page.

Concentrations

Law and Policy, or Elections and Campaign Management

Subfield Choices

American politics, public policy, public administration, comparative politics, international relations and political theory

Student Involvement

Student Congress and the P SC Club

Program Sources: Undergraduate | OU Department of Political ScienceUndergraduate | OU Department of Political Science

Oklahoma State sets a firm bar in the major: a 2.50 GPA with at least a C in every course. The core is short and pointed, with an international relations or comparative politics course, Fundamentals of Political Science, Introduction to Political Inquiry and a Senior Capstone Seminar. From there you build 39 major hours, at least 18 of them upper-division political science. Electives range widely: Voting and Elections, Public Opinion and Polling, Lobbying and the Power of Organized Interests, Terrorism and Counterterrorism, Civil Wars and the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature. Students focusing on international relations are advised to take 15 hours of one foreign language. In 2023–24 the program awarded 47 degrees.

Core Courses

International relations or comparative politics, Fundamentals of Political Science, Political Inquiry and Senior Capstone Seminar

Upper-Division Electives

At least 18 hours, from Voting and Elections to Civil Wars

Foreign Language

15 hours of one language recommended for international relations focus

Program Sources: Political Science, BA | Oklahoma State University CatalogPolitical Science, BA | Oklahoma State University Catalog

Tulsa builds its political science B.A. around three areas the department names as strengths: American politics, international studies and legal theory. The program frames itself around justice, rights and the relationship between the state and the individual, connecting long-running ideas to current problems, and it combines theory and methods to study institutions, systems and policies. Faculty mentoring and hands-on research are part of the coursework, aimed at policy-based answers to political problems. Tulsa also offers a job placement guarantee through its career center. Tulsa awarded 13 degrees in 2023–24, and a political science minor is also available.

Areas of Strength

American politics, international studies and legal theory

Approach

Theory and methods applied to institutions, systems and policies, with hands-on research

Degrees Offered

Political Science B.A. and a political science minor

Program Sources: Political Science | The University of TulsaPolitical Science | The University of Tulsa

Central Oklahoma’s political science B.A. asks everyone to take the same six courses first: Political Science Statistics, Elements of Political Science, Introduction to Law, Introduction to World Politics, Introduction to Public Administration and a closing course, Democratic Governance. Then you pick one of three groups for a nine-hour foundation: American politics, international affairs, or law and courts, with options such as Campaigns and Elections, Middle East Politics and Constitutional Law. Another nine hours of electives can come from any political science course. The B.A. also requires two semesters of a second language and a 2.50 GPA in major courses, and seniors can start graduate coursework toward accelerated master’s programs. With 26 degrees awarded in 2023–24, it is a mid-sized program.

Required Core

Statistics, law, world politics, public administration and Democratic Governance

Foundation Tracks

American politics, international affairs, or law and courts

Accelerated Master’s

Three graduate-level courses as a senior toward a BA/MA or BA/MPA

Program Sources: Political Science, B.A. | University of Central Oklahoma CatalogPolitical Science, B.A. | University of Central Oklahoma Catalog

Northeastern State’s political science major starts with a 13-hour core: international relations, comparative politics, political theory, a scope and methods course and a one-hour capstone. From there you choose six hours each from American institutions, political behavior, and international relations and comparative politics, then add three hours of theory and a three-hour advanced elective, for 37 hours in all. The electives are unusually specific, from Southern Politics and Political Propaganda to Politics and the American Indian and both Constitutional Law courses. It awarded four degrees in 2023–24.

Required Core

International relations, comparative politics, political theory, Scope and Methods, and a capstone

Elective Areas

American institutions, political behavior, and international relations and comparative politics

Major Size

37 hours

Program Sources: Bachelor of Arts - Political Science - NSU

Only two courses are fixed in Cameron’s political science BA: Concepts of Political Science and Academic Research in Political Science, which serves as the capstone experience. You build the other 33 major hours from a menu that includes Research Methods, The Legislative Process, Constitutional Law, U.S. Foreign Policy, Global Political Economy, International Security and an internship, so the degree bends toward American government or world affairs depending on what you pick. An 18-hour minor and general electives bring the total to 120 hours. Four degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Required Courses

Concepts of Political Science and Academic Research in Political Science

Capstone

PS 4683 Academic Research in Political Science

Electives

33 hours, including research methods, international security and a political science internship

Program Sources: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science - Social Sciences | Cameron UniversityDegree Requirements: Political Science (162) Bachelor of Arts

Everything at Northwestern Oklahoma State leans toward American government. If law school or a graduate program is the plan, faculty help you prepare for the LSAT and put together applications. Once you have 12 hours of upper-division work in the major, you can take an internship with a government agency or a nonprofit, which the department treats as a stepping stone to a job. The program’s assessments run through POL 4623, where a term paper, a paper presentation and a final exam test content knowledge, critical thinking, communication and ethics. Three degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Focus

American government

Internship

Open to juniors and seniors with 12 hours of upper-division work in the major

Graduate Preparation

Faculty help with LSAT preparation and graduate program applications

Program Sources: Political Science and Public Administration | Northwestern Oklahoma State University

At Southeastern, the political science BA has a public administration streak. The 36-hour major requires Introduction to Political Science and Introduction to Public Administration, then two courses each from American government, public administration and policy, and comparative and global politics. Options include Campaigns and Elections, Public Finance and Budgeting, U.S. Foreign Policy and Government and Politics in Asia. You add one political theory course and nine hours of upper-level electives. The department awards about $10,000 in scholarships each year, and five degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Required Courses

Introduction to Political Science and Introduction to Public Administration

Distribution

Two courses each in American government, public administration and policy, and comparative and global politics

Theory and Electives

One theory course and nine hours of upper-level electives

Program Sources: Political Science | Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityPolitical Science | Southeastern Oklahoma State University

OU’s political science PhD takes at least 90 post-baccalaureate hours, and you don’t need a master’s first. The required core covers two political data analysis courses, Research Problems and Political Science: Survey of a Discipline. You then complete at least nine hours in each of three fields chosen from American, comparative, international relations, theory, public administration, public law, public policy and methodology, and sit a written and oral General Examination in two of them. Methodology can only be a secondary examining field, and public law only a third field. Dissertation research follows, under a committee that expects at least three academic years beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Required Core

Two political data analysis courses, Research Problems and Survey of a Discipline

Fields

Three of eight fields, with nine hours minimum in each

General Examination

Written and oral exam in two of the three fields

Program Sources: Political Science, Ph.D. < University of OklahomaPolitical Science, Ph.D. < University of Oklahoma

Rose State’s Associate of Arts is built to transfer into a four-year political science degree. Beyond general education, where you need a C or better in American Federal Government, the program requires three courses: Introduction to Comparative Political Systems, Introduction to International Relations and Introduction to State and Local Government. You then pick 15 hours from limited additional requirements such as Campaigns and Elections, Mass Media and Politics, Power, Mobilization, and Revolution, or a political science internship. The suggested plan finishes in four semesters, and classes usually stay around 35 students. Four degrees were awarded in 2023–24.

Program Requirements

Comparative political systems, international relations, and state and local government

Additional Requirements

15 hours, including campaigns and elections, mass media and politics, or an internship

Class Size

Usually limited to about 35 students

Program Sources: Political Science – Rose State CollegePolitical Science – Rose State College