(June 12, 2009) – The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents approved a Bachelor of Science degree in political science for Southern Polytechnic State University this week, the 10th new degree program at the university since 2006. Previously this year, the Board of Regents approved an undergraduate program in computer game design and development, a master’s program in information and instructional design, and both an undergraduate and master’s program in accounting.

Because of the expected shortfall in staffing over the next five years in public sector employment due to retirements, the need for political science graduates is expected to greatly increase. Research indicates that 40 percent of all federal employees will be eligible to retire by 2010. Government employment, however, is not the only avenue available for graduates of this program. “The communication, analysis and critical reasoning skills that our graduates obtain will make them highly competitive for private sector positions, such as budget or research analysts and administrative service management,” said Dr. Zvi Szafran, vice president for Academic Affairs.

The political science degree at SPSU will provide a more rigorous research focus than similar programs at other Georgia institutions. “Our program will be highly quantitative,” says Dr. Thomas Rotnem, associate professor of political science in the department of social and international studies at SPSU. “We require students to take up to four courses in quantitative analysis and research methods. The norm in other programs is one or two such courses.”

“The acquisition of quantitative and methodological skills combined with the understanding of the political process would give our graduates a significant advantage in both the public and private sectors,” adds Dr. Szafran.

The political science degree will be offered beginning in the fall 2009 semester and is expected to bring approximately 20 students to the program, initially.
This program follows along with the strategic plan of the University to become more comprehensive in scope by offering a wider variety of technologically-focused degree programs to an increasing student enrollment. Since 2006, SPSU has added eight Bachelor of Science degrees in: construction engineering, mechatronics engineering, systems engineering, chemistry, accounting, psychology, political science, and computer game design and development; and two Master of Science degrees in accounting, and informational and instructional design.