Government, Law & Policy

The front of the Humanities and Social Science building.

The Department of Government, Law & Policy is where ideas, service, and civic engagement meet inquiry. You'll join a community of thinkers and leaders passionate about understanding governance, law, and public policy through a broad range of perspectives, advanced reasoning, and data-driven analysis. Through the study of local and global power, you'll gain skills in understanding politics, interpreting policies, and understanding how governance shapes societies. Here, you'll be prepared to make meaningful contributions in your community and beyond.

Every journey in government, law & policy begins with a desire to make a difference. From our Master of Public Administration to our Certificate in Legal Research, Writing, and Advocacy, explore the degrees that prepare you to create lasting change. For students interested in law school, our department has agreements with the University of Memphis Law School and the Bowen School of Law at UALR.

Undergraduate Programs

Explore our undergraduate degrees and minors

B.A. in Political Science

Minor in Political Science

Certificate in Pre-Law Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy

Group of women giving a Wolves Up at the capitol in Little Rock.

Graduate Programs

Explore our graduate degrees

M.A. in Political Science

M.P.A. in Public Administration

M.P.A. in Public Administration - Nonprofit Management

Student wearing Red Wolves jacket writing in notebook.

Online Programs

Explore our fully online programs

B.A. in Political Science

M.P.A. in Public Administration

M.P.A. in Public Administration - Nonprofit Management

My absolute favorite thing from A-State has to be the tight-knit community I have found within my department. I routinely sit down with my advisor and we have real, true conversations like we are friends rather than just scheduling classes. I converse with my professors regularly outside of class, and have relied on them heavily when it comes to recommendation letters for scholarships.

Rocco Hicks, Political Science ‘25

Honors Society

PI GAMMA MU - SOCIAL SCIENCE

Founded in 1924, Pi Gamma Mu is the oldest and preeminent interdisciplinary social science honor society. Pi Gamma Mu is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, charitable organization. Pi Gamma Mu has been certified by the Association of College Honor Societies since 1953. The mission of Pi Gamma Mu is to encourage and promote excellence in the Social Sciences and to uphold and nurture scholarship, leadership, and service. Pi Gamma Mu serves the various social science disciplines which seek to understand and explain human behavior and social relationships as well as their related problems and issues.

PI SIGMA ALPHA - POLITICAL SCIENCE

Pi Sigma Alpha is classified by the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) as an “upper division, specialized” honor society. Membership in Pi Sigma Alpha is open to undergraduate and graduate students currently taking courses in government, political science, international relations, public administration, or a related interdisciplinary area and enrolled in institutions where chapters are located. Pi Sigma Alpha offers exclusive member benefits to help you stand out, connect with other political science majors, and succeed in your future or current career path.

PI ALPHA ALPHA - PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Pi Alpha Alpha is the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. There are more than 160 chapters located around the world at NASPAA member schools. The purpose of Pi Alpha Alpha is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. Its objectives, such as fostering integrity, professionalism, and effective performance, promote the advancement of quality in the education and practice of the art and science of public affairs and administration. PAA membership identifies those with the highest performance levels in educational programs preparing them for public service careers.

Student Clubs

MODEL UNITED NATIONS

The Arkansas State University Model United Nations Organization, composed of undergraduate and graduate students, has been active on campus for over 30 years. Members debate, compete, and represent our university in various Model United Nations competitions throughout the year.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Cameron Wimpy - cwimpy@AState.edu

Pre-Law Club

Our purpose is to help A-State undergrads who are interested in attending law school make that a reality. Moreover, we are bridging the past with the present by networking our students with alumni who are lawyers or are currently attending law school. The club offers L-SAT study sessions, community service opportunities, and much more!

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Angelo Brown - angbrown@AState.edu

·Our MPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). NASPAA Accreditation supports a global network of programs bound by a commitment to public service values, programmatic improvement, educational quality, and student learning outcomes.