Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

at Kaplan Group - Arizona State University - West Campus USA

The BA program in English is focused on literature, writing, film and culture.

Courses address a wide variety of genres, traditions and time periods. Students engage in close reading and critical thinking as they work with powerful, multilayered texts. They build communication skills as they compose for multiple purposes and audiences. The program ends with a degree capstone that allows students to use their skills and knowledge in a personalized academic or creative project.

The BS program in community health develops leaders who are dedicated to addressing health challenges at their source while also creating partnerships to leverage resources. This program is designed for students who want to create healthy, sustainable communities.

Community health professionals work in partnership to address health needs of diverse populations. Students learn to understand the components of a healthy, sustainable community; advocate for diverse individuals, families and communities; and provide health education, health promotion and service coordination.

Graduates of this program provide health education, health promotion, care coordination, disease management, health care navigation and advocacy services for individuals, families and communities.

This degree program has the same prerequisites as the nursing major; therefore, students may transition seamlessly to this program and obtain a bachelor's degree in a health-related field.

The BA program in history introduces students to a broad span of history that covers the ancient world through the modern period and extends from Europe to Latin America and the United States. In addition to learning about the origins and development of various peoples, ideas and institutions of the past, students engage in the practice of history by learning to conduct research, analyze historical evidence and formulate arguments using historiographical perspectives and methodological approaches.

The pharmacology and toxicology concentration of the BS program in biology provides an emphasis in the biochemical, molecular and physiological components of drug and body interactions.

The degree program emphasizes experiential learning, and all required core courses have laboratories. By learning in an integrative environment that emphasizes the connectedness of the disciplines, students gain a better understanding of larger scientific concepts and they can view these concepts from multiple perspectives. To have a thorough understanding of the interactions of chemicals in the biological system, students study both biology and chemistry and become familiar with chemical interactions at physiological, molecular and cellular levels.

Undergraduates have the opportunity to conduct independent research under the mentorship of faculty members or in internships outside the school.

Forensic psychology is the application of psychology to the law. The concentration in forensic psychology within the BA program in psychology combines general training in psychology with specialized coursework in criminal law, criminal behavior, the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and legal decision-making.

When courts are faced with cases in which a psychology-related question arises, they may turn to psychologists for help with the case. For example, psychologists might assist the court in understanding a criminal's mental state at the time of a crime or in determining whether a particular jury might have been biased against a defendant based on his or her race. This is the realm of forensic psychology.

This program teaches students about the various roles for psychologists in the legal system and helps them discover which roles they might like to pursue through careers in mental health, criminal justice or through graduate training.

The Bachelor of Arts degree differs from the BS degree in that it does not require two additional lab science courses.

The BS program in biotechnology and bioenterprise provides students with essential transdisciplinary and practical experience in biotechnology research. Students acquire the associated business and entrepreneurship skills needed to develop and market biotechnological innovations and solutions to problems facing the biotechnology and health sciences communities in Arizona, the nation and beyond.

The program emphasizes coursework in the biological, biomolecular and biotechnological sciences, which are key components that underpin biotechnology. Students may tailor the degree to their specific interests and aspirations through focus areas in biotechnology, bioentrepreneurship and biostatistics. The program is unique due to its focus on blending biotechnology and entrepreneurship.

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers a BS in political science in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.

Political science is the study of governmental practices, politics and theories. Coursework in the political science program covers American institutions, international relations, political theory and world affairs. This program helps students gain a basic understanding of the assumptions underlying political science and to develop the necessary research skills for analyzing complex sociopolitical issues. In addition to coursework, students learn through internships, service-learning and research opportunities. The Bachelor of Science degree differs from the BA degree in that it requires an additional statistics course and a methods course.

Graduates of this program are prepared for work as analysts or aides in local, state or national legislative offices, among other roles. Many graduates go on to law school or graduate programs in political science, social science, urban planning or public administration.

The MA in communication studies is a cutting-edge degree program designed for students who wish to pursue a wide range of today's communication professions.

With special emphases on both advocacy and social technologies as defining themes, students can tailor the program to their personal goals, focusing on topics such as interpersonal, organizational, sport, environmental, social media politics and global or technology-mediated communication.

Students use multiple perspectives to explore a variety of topics and issues in communication.

These include how individuals and collectives participate effectively in personal relationships, organizational settings and public dialogues across cultural contexts, and the impact and effects of media, mediated representations and new technologies. They also learn to use communication strategically to advocate for others.

Graduates are prepared to pursue doctoral work or careers in a variety of communication-driven fields such as public affairs, public relations, employee development, strategic communication, community relations and grassroots movements through exposure to a variety of research methods, theories and practical applications.

The cybersecurity concentration prepares students for a continuing and progressive career in cybersecurity.

The innovative cybersecurity concentration builds upon the BS program in applied computing. Students acquire the technical knowledge to secure networks and applications, an understanding of cybersecurity governance models and risk management fundamentals, methods of communicating complex risk issues, and solutions for the challenges of implementing cybersecurity controls within various organizational models. Leadership, critical thinking and effective communication also are emphasized. Students gain experience with real-world cybersecurity organizations, protecting digital assets against compromise or theft.

Graduates of the applied computing program with a concentration in cybersecurity are well prepared for graduate study as well as entry-level employment with businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and academic institutions.

The BA program in business with a concentration in health care prepares students to operate within the challenging and dynamic health care industry by helping them develop skills and acquire knowledge through one of its five specialized tracks --- health care analytics, communication, coordination, innovation and delivery.

Graduates possess the ability to understand different stakeholders in complex environments, and they go on to pursue careers in health care management and leadership.