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Politics, Economics, and International Studies

In the Department of Politics, Economics, and International Studies, you gain real-world experience before you graduate! You’ll also benefit from learning in small class sizes, and individualized academic advising.

We offer three majors that are closely related:

Our Bachelor of Arts in Economics gives you the foundation for a wide variety of careers in governmental, nonprofit organizations, business, public administration, and foreign services, and provides an appropriate foundation for a wide variety of careers. Economics is the preferred major if you want to pursue graduate work in economics, business, public administration, or the law.

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is an interdisciplinary major that allows you to approach global issues in their complexity, including politics, economics, language, history, communication, culture, and arts.

Our Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government exposes you to political and economic philosophies and to the consequences of specific public policies, and combines political and economic inquiries and approaches. You will focus on the historical relationship between politics and economics and how it manifests itself in today’s world.

Minors are also offered in economics, international studies, political economy, and politics and government to complement a variety of majors because the global economy and political climate affects us all.

Hands-On Experience

There are plenty of opportunities to apply the skills you acquire in the classroom. You also can collaborate with faculty on research and conduct independent studies designed to put you on the path to a successful and engaging career.

Benedicta "Benie" Kwarteng

International Studies; Politics and Government, '23

Benie was granted a Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship following a nationwide competition of nearly 900 highly qualified candidates. Just 45 fellows were chosen across the country. The program will allow the multi-lingual Kwarteng to pursue her master’s degree, work overseas and stateside with a member of Congress, and become a U.S. diplomat.

The program supports Benie through a two-year master’s degree in International Relations at Johns Hopkins University and provides extensive professional development opportunities, including internships, mentors, and skills training.

While at UHart, Benie studied in Seoul, South Korea, at Yonsei University’s Underwood International College, where she took courses in diplomacy and international negotiations.

Read more.

As someone interested in foreign affairs, getting the chance to go to a different country and indulge in the language and culture was a practical way for me to learn about foreign policy. This kind of experience is very rare and something that can set you apart from many applicants in the job market

Student at Internship
You can complete an internship during the academic year, or during the summer or semester break.

Gain professional experience and practice what you learn in the classroom with an internship at local corporations, nonprofit organizations, or state and national government offices.

Student at the White House.
While attending American University, Myeisha Boyd '17 spent a semester as a student-volunteer at the Office of Presidential Correspondence for The Obama Administration at the White House.

Enroll in UHart’s Washington Semester at American University and take a semester’s worth of classes while interning at a government agency.

Students in Lithuania
You can spend time abroad for a semester break, summer, or during the academic year.

Take your learning international through our study-abroad opportunities in places like India, Korea, Japan, Jordan, and Kenya.

Meet Your Faculty

Jilda Aliotta
Associate Professor
Politics, Economics, and International Studies

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Michael Clancy
Chair, Politics, Economics, and International Studies; Professor
Politics, Economics, and International Studies

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Jane Horvath
Associate Professor of Economics, Founding Director van Rooy Center for Complexity and Conflict Analysis, Director BA in Economics, Director Minor in Economics, Political Economy, and Complexity
Politics, Economics, and International Studies

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Katharine A. Owens
Director, Rell Center for Public Service; Professor Politics, Economics, and International Studies
Politics, Economics, and International Studies

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Amy Schoenecker
Assistant Professor, Director of the Honors Program
Honors Program
Politics, Economics, and International Studies

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Bilal Sekou
Associate Professor of Political Science
Social Science

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Cindy A. Oppenheimer
Office Coordinator
Sociology and Criminal Justice
Politics, Economics, and International Studies
History and Philosophy

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