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cas.umkc.edu/polisci

Admission requirements

• There are no special requirements beyond those for admission to the university.
• The College of Arts and Sciences requires a minimum of 120 total credit hours for graduation, at least 36 of which must be numbered 300 or above.

Why UMKC?

• UMKC political science majors develop skills in communication and analysis that are important in today’s work environment, and many have opportunities to gain practical experience through internships. In Kansas City, students have the opportunity to obtain internships and networking relationships with political figures around the city.

  

Fast facts

• The average size of a junior- or senior-level class is 20-25 students. This allows for class discussion in an interactive environment.
• The department has an active internship program, and credit is given for successful completion of internships approved by the department.
• Each year outstanding graduating seniors are selected to receive the department’s highest honors: the Ruth L. Gant Memorial Scholarship, the Cornelius Roach Scholarship, the Dan Bishop Scholarship in Public Policy Fund and the Randall L. Miller Scholarship Fund in Political Science. Each semester Roach Book Awards are presented to political science majors who meet departmental standards of excellence, to help defray the cost of books.   

Faculty

• Full-time faculty members have all earned their Ph.D.s from major universities and are experts in various areas of political science, American government and politics, public law, urban politics, political theory, comparative politics, political psychology and international politics.
• The faculty are all published scholars who belong to many professional organizations.
• They are frequently invited to speak in the community or at other universities, and many regularly appear on local and national media.
• Several of the faculty members have won awards for teaching excellence and research.
• The political science department is known for its strong commitment to teaching, and its faculty consistently receive high student evaluations.

Student organizations

• Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honors society, is open to undergraduate juniors and seniors who meet the academic eligibility criteria.

Careers

Explore career options for Political Science majors at careeronestop.org.

Contact us

Office of Admissions

120 Administrative Center
5115 Oak St.
Kansas City, MO 64112
Phone: 816-235-1111
Toll-free: 1-800-775-8652
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TTY)
E-mail: admit@umkc.edu
umkc.edu/admissions

Visit us

Students are encouraged to schedule a campus visit by visiting umkc.edu/welcome or calling 816-235-8652.