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Overview
Political Science deals with the theory and practice of politics and the analysis of political behavior. Students who select this field of study will work in the four major areas of political science (American government, international relations, comparative politics, and political philosophy) and will obtain the comprehensive foundation of knowledge that is necessary for successful transfer to a four-year university program.
Mission
The Political Science program seeks to encourage student’s understanding of the process and function of politics in society through critical investigation of political theories and ideas, through an understanding of political practices in a democratic society, and through their role as informed and engaged citizens.
Why This Program
Completion of the program is designed to result in an Associate of Arts degree and meets the general-education requirements of all Idaho public universities. Course selection should be coordinated to meet requirements for your intended transfer institution, if known. Students who earn a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science often pursue careers in the following fields: law, government, business, international and national organizations, diplomacy, and education.
What You Will Learn to Do
- Articulate the major theories of various subfields of political science, identify their strengths and weaknesses and apply those theories to real world examples
- Critically evaluate political claims based on careful scrutiny of the underlying assumptions, arguments and evidence
- Access and organize political information from a variety of sources
- Articulate the complex interrelationships between political, economic, social, cultural and historical forces
- Identify and understand when, where and how political forces shape political actors behavior
- Formulate, propose and advocate possibilities for positive change in democratic society as engaged and informed citizens
Additional Opportunities
Internships are an important aspect of the Political Science major and CWI’s location provides a wide variety of opportunities in state government and the Idaho legislature.
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
Political Science - Associate of Arts Degree
2
YEARSAA
*See the Course Delivery Styles page for details about class options
Important Dates for Credit Programs
Summer 2022 | Fall 2022 | Spring 2023 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority Registration Begins1 | n/a | April 11 | November 14 | |
Open Registration Begins | February 28 | April 18 | November 21 | |
Financial Aid Priority Deadline | May 14 | July 30 | December 17 | |
Admission Deadline2 | May 28 | August 13 | January 7 | |
Last Day to Register for Classes | June 3 | August 19 | January 13 | |
Tuition and Fees Due | June 3 | August 19 | January 13 | |
Classes Begin3 | June 6 | August 22 | January 17 | |
1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based upon their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. | ||||
2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the Academic Calendar for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. | ||||
3 Some classes begin before or after this date. Please refer to the Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates (located beneath each semester) of the Academic Calendar for more information. |
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWID 101) is the first semester student success course designed to help CWI students become engaged members of the academic community and cultivate habits for lifelong achievement and success. Each semester, students can select from a variety of themes. More information about next semesters CWID 101 themes
Transfer
Look beyond your degree at CWI and plan for continuing your education by working closely with CWI advising and representatives of your intended transfer school. Planning before you transfer can save you time and money. Visit Transfer Information for more information or contact One Stop Student Services.
Financial Aid Available
Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit Financial Aid.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit Tuition and Fees for more information.
Career Info
The best source for career information is the website of the American Political Science Association.
Professions
- Activist, Advocate / Organizer
- Administration
- Archivist, Online Political Data
- Budget Examiner or Analyst
- Attorney
- Banking Analyst or Executive
- Campaign Operative
- Career Counselor
- CIA Analyst or Agent
- City Planner
- City Housing Administrator
- Congressional Office / Committee Staffer
- Coordinator of Federal or State Aid
- Communications Director
- Corporate Analyst
- Corporate Public Affairs Advisor
- Corporate Economist
- Corporate Manager
- Corporate Information Analyst
- Corporate Advisor for Govt'l. Relations
- Corporate Executive
- Corporation Legislative Issues Manager
- Editor, Online Political Journal
- Entrepreneur
- Federal Government Analyst
- Financial Consultant
- Foreign Service Officer
- Foundation President
- Freelance Writer
- High School Government Teacher
- Immigration Officer
- Information Manager
- Intelligence Officer
- International Agency Officer
- International Research Specialist
- Issues Analyst, Corporate Social Policy Division
- Journalist
- Juvenile Justice Specialist
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Legislative Analyst / Coordinator
- Lobbyist
- Management Analyst
- Mediator
- Plans and Review Office, USIA
- Policy Analyst
- Political Commentator
- Pollster
- Public Affairs Research Analyst
- Public Opinion Analyst
- Publisher
- Research Analyst
- State Legislator
- Survey Analyst
- Systems Analyst
- Teacher
- University Administrator
- University Professor
- Urban Policy Planner
- Web Content Editor
- Corporate
- Government
- Non-Profit
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Instructor(s)
Respectful Community
The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

Congratulations to Robert Harbaugh, College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for May 2019.

The Political Science program is proud to welcome guest speaker, Dr. Leif Hoffmann, to campus April 8.

Associate Professor of Political Science, Robert Harbaugh, named President-Elect of the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association.

Political Science is proud to welcome guest speaker, Dr. James Hanley, to campus Nov. 7.

The Political Science Program is proud to welcome guest speaker, Dr. Ross Burkhart, to campus March 19, 2018.

The CWI Political Science program welcomes guest lecturer, Dr. Isaac Castellano, Wednesday, April 26.
Academic Transfer
- Agriculture Business, Leadership, and Education
- Animal Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant
- Business
- Chemistry
- Communication
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Education, Elementary
- Education, Secondary
- Engineering
- English
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- Exercise Science
- General Education
- Geographic Information Systems
- Geography
- Geosciences
- Health Science and Public Health
- History
- Liberal Arts
- Mathematics
- Media Arts
- Military Science (Army ROTC)
- Nursing, Professional
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
- Sign Language Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Studio Art
- Transportation Management