Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Concentration in Law and Institutions

at State University of New York at Albany USA

Ranked among the top 20 public affairs programs in the nation, the Rockefeller College Master of Public Administration program prepares you to excel as a government administrator, policy analyst, information technology manager, or strategic and financial leader of public and nonprofit institutions.

As you move through the 49-credit MPA curriculum and complete your professional internship, you learn how to successfully oversee projects, support and motivate teams, improve organizational performance, and monitor policy impact to help solve complex socioeconomic problems.

Public Policy
If you're interested in public policy we have two main concentrations and a set of substantive concentrations in specific policy areas (e.g., health policy; education policy; criminal justice policy; women and public policy, global affairs, etc) that you might choose to design with the assistance of your advisor.

If you're interested in more applied quantitative or qualitative skills in conducting policy analysis, we recommend the Policy Analytic Methods concentration.

If you have an interest in the policy process and politics (i.e., drafting legislation, political advocacy/strategy, lobbying, etc), we recommend the Policy Process, Politics and Institutions concentration.

Learn how to analyze and report on policy issues, and how to manage information resources in the public and not-for-profit sectors.

To develop specialized skills, you can earn sub-concentrations by taking multiple courses in one or two sub-fields:
Policy Analysis
Work at a research institute or a government agency to evaluate how well policies and public programs work. Work as a legislative analyst to identify the best policy to implement. Whatever your career aspiration, the nationally ranked MPA program at Rockefeller College will prepare you for success in the field of policy analysis.

Policy Process, Politics and Institutions
Understand the role of public institutions in policies development and the administration of political systems of the United States and other countries.

Create useful applications and solve practical data management problems with interdisciplinary skills in information technology and computer science taught in the bachelor's program in informatics.

Through team-based activities and hands-on exercises, you'll learn how to store and retrieve data, employ emerging technologies, and build user-centered systems – all of which are embedded in the day-to-day operations of every organization.

From relational databases to client-based web technologies, and internal computer architecture to networking fundamentals, you'll be prepared to lead complex digital projects from start to finish.

Software Development

Course options include Introduction to Computer Science, Data Structures, Software Engineering, Prevention and Protection Strategies in Cybersecurity, Object-Oriented Programming Principles and Practice.

Learn how governments, political organizations, individuals, and nations act to create and realize public values and goals. You’ll prepare for responsible and effective citizenship, political participation, and advanced academic or professional studies. You will also learn to understand and appreciate different political values, institutions, and processes that operate in local, national, and international systems.

The political science bachelor's program allows you to focus on the subjects that interest you most, with upper-level concentrations available in American politics; citizenship; equality and inequality; global politics; law and institutions; political theory; political economy and development; public law; security and statecraft.

Located less than one mile from the New York State Capitol, it’s easy to get a head start on a career in law or government as political science major at the widely respected Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy.

Global Politics
Learn about current changes in the world and the comparative study of political systems. Course topics include civil-military relations, political economy, gender and LGBTQ rights, human rights, political violence and terrorism, contentious politics, foreign policy, regional integration, nationalism, ethnicity and international relations, international conflict and security, international regimes, WMD, and economic statecraft. Focus in areas such as Latin America, Southeast Asia, Europe, Israel-Palestine and China.

Gain deeper insight into the history, practice and influence of the world's religions by earning your Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Religious Studies from the University at Albany.

This interdisciplinary program covers instruction across disciplines including history, Judaic studies, Africana studies and philosophy. Your degree can prepare you for careers in fields like education and social work, or for additional study at the graduate level.

Gain a deep, practical understanding of the theory, tools and practice of modern chemical and biochemical methods, culminating in a research-based thesis with a postgraduate master’s in applied chemistry.

Because this program is designed to support working professionals, UAlbany takes steps to ensure you can achieve your academic goals in tandem with your professional ambitions.

Analyze the way chemicals compose the world and employ complex theories through practical experience. You will take learned theory and apply it to business, legal and environmental challenges to shape the future of your industry.

Develop your analytical, research and writing skills through the master's in history program at the University at Albany.

Take part in research seminars that encourage you to think critically about your chosen area of focus. Participate in reading seminars that explore new aspects of familiar historical topics like the Revolutionary War, European history, and visual media and culture. Supporting courses will deepen your exploration of your area of study.

This program prepares you to pursue careers in areas like archiving, documentary making, museum curating, and education.

Get advanced training and experience in the theory and practice of city planning, design, and development in the Master of Regional Planning (MRP) program at the University at Albany.

This program prepares you to assist community leaders, elected officials, and the public with issues of neighborhood change and preservation, environmental conservation, mobility and accessibility, comprehensive planning and zoning. You will also learn about emerging issues, such as how to reimagine community development, ensure equitable planning strategies and understand the impacts of extreme weather.

If you like the idea of chasing cyber criminals, thwarting international terrorists, and preventing economic catastrophe when flood waters rise, then a bachelor's in emergency preparedness, homeland security, and cybersecurity may be a good choice for you.

Play an active role in command center simulations and emergency response drills, and gain hands-on experience working with private companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

This program prepares you for positions in agencies such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Secret Service, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Homeland Security
Secure America's towns, cities, borders, airports, seaports, and waterways as a skilled member of law enforcement, immigration and travel security agencies, prevention and response teams, and mission support organizations.

Develop your capabilities in the application of economic and econometric methods with the Bachelor of Science in Economics program at the University at Albany. This program prepares you for careers in the fields of labor, health, banking and finance, international trade and finance, business, public finance, macroeconomic analysis and forecasting, and economic development. The BS in Economics is ideal if you intend to pursue your professional education beyond the undergraduate level.

Deepen your understanding of major civic issues and explore different ways you can help solve social problems by developing creative public policy solutions and improving management.

The interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Management at UAlbany will give you a broad understanding of the relationships between government legislation, public policy, economics, politics, civil rights, regulation and finance, and city, state, federal, and global affairs.

The program includes foundational coursework and electives in management and politics, and quantitative methods and policy. Then you get to earn a concentration in the area of study that best matches your personal interests and career goals.

Technology and Policy
We cannot imagine a world without technological advances, but is technology always helpful? What can go wrong if an algorithm is poorly designed? You will practice technical skills, including programming and geospatial analysis, and gain a broad understanding of emerging trends in information and technology.