Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
A Concentration In
Political Science
An emphasis within the B.S. in Secondary Education — prepare students to understand government, civics, and how a free society works.
Teach Grades 6–12
Certify to teach government and social studies
Government & Political Thought
American government, constitutional law, political theory
Methods Built In
Teaching poli sci + literacy in poli sci
Civics is having a moment — schools and states are recognizing that students need to understand how government, the Constitution, and a free society actually work. ACU’s Political Science concentration gives you serious depth in American government, constitutional law, and political thought, so you teach these subjects with real authority.
You’ll pair that content with classroom methods. Teaching Political Science in the Secondary School and Integrated Literacy in Political Science show you how to lead students through founding documents, current events, and competing ideas without reducing it all to talking points. You’ll graduate ready to teach government, civics, and social studies across grades 6–12.
Master American Government
Build real depth in U.S. government, constitutional law, and the founding.
Engage Political Thought
Trace political ideas from the ancient world to the modern debates students hear today.
Teach Political Science in the Classroom
Plan and deliver secondary government and civics instruction with proven methods.
Build Civic Literacy
Help students read founding documents, analyze arguments, and reason about policy.
Examine Faith and Politics
Explore how faith, freedom, and public life intersect.
Demonstrate Content Mastery
Meet Arizona's standard of 30 content-area credits or a passing subject-knowledge test.
Questions of justice, authority, and human freedom sit at the heart of political science. A Biblical Worldview gives you a deep well to draw from as you teach them.
Justice and the Common Good
Scripture cares intensely about justice — for the vulnerable, the accused, and the community. That concern gives teeth to discussions of law, rights, and policy beyond mere partisanship.
Helps you teach government as a pursuit of justice, not just power.
Human Dignity and Liberty
The conviction that every person bears God's image underwrites the worth of the individual and the case for ordered liberty. It's a foundation students can examine as they study rights and self-government.
Frames civics around the dignity that grounds a free society.
Power and Its Limits
A clear-eyed view of human nature explains why power needs checks and why no leader or state deserves ultimate allegiance. That realism is built into how constitutional government is taught.
Equips you to teach the logic of limited government and accountability.
Government and civics teachers are increasingly in demand — and the analytical skills you build open doors well beyond the classroom.
Secondary Government/Civics Teacher
Teach American government, civics, and social studies in middle and high schools.
Christian School Educator
Teach government and civics in ACSI-affiliated Christian schools through ACU's certification.
Civic Education & Policy Roles
Apply your background in government and public affairs in nonprofits, civic organizations, or public service.
Graduate or Law Study
Use a strong political-science foundation to pursue graduate study, public policy, or law school.
The Political Science concentration pairs serious depth in government and political thought with the methods to teach it well.
Substantial Content Depth
A 21-credit concentration spans American government, constitutional law, and political theory — far beyond a survey.
Teaching Methods Built In
Dedicated poli-sci-pedagogy courses mean you learn to teach the subject, not just to study it.
Civics Is in Demand
Renewed emphasis on civic education means qualified government teachers are increasingly sought-after.
ACSI Certification Pathway
Teach government and civics in Christian schools worldwide through ACU's ACSI certification.
Already drawn to the Secondary Education degree? Adding the Political Science concentration is simple.
Apply to ACU
Submit your application for admission to Arizona Christian University.
Start Your ApplicationChoose Political Science as Your Concentration
Tell your education advisor you want the political science content area, and they'll map it into your plan.
Build Your Government Foundation
Move through American government, constitutional law, and political thought, then add the teaching-methods courses.
The Political Science concentration gives you the content depth and teaching methods to lead a secondary government classroom with confidence. Apply or reach out today.