Skip to main content
Office of Education Abroad

Major Advising Page - Political Science

Political science is an extraordinarily diverse field in terms of the political subjects that it covers. Politics are everywhere and study abroad offers the opportunity to learn in other countries, and between countries. Studying political science abroad will help students advance their major,  assist in building academic and professional networks in an international setting, and develop cultural literacy by travelling outside their comfort zone and expanding personal experiences. 

Political Science majors should begin the study abroad advising process as early as possible to make study abroad fit into the four year curriculum. Students interested in studying abroad should ideally have taken Intro to Comparative Politics (PSC 1300) or International Relations (PSC 1200), or area specific courses to develop some background about the region in which they wish to study. Consult with your advisor about what courses would be particularly helpful and when to actually study abroad. Additional things to consider: 

  • Research seminar (PSC 1900) and senior seminar (PSC 6900) cannot be taken overseas.

Search the OEA Course Approval History database to select from more than 3,000 study abroad courses that have already been pre-approved for liberal education requirements and a growing list of major courses.

The Course Approval History database is not all-inclusive and students can work with an OEA advisor to submit additional courses for review.

Don't forget - CLAS has a list of policies and limitations specifically focused on study abroad. Make sure you're aware of these as you plan your overseas experience.

Timing
For Political Science students, the Department of Political Science prefers students to study abroad during their junior year into that following summer. Depending on student interests and academic progress, summer study abroad is possible after the first year through the end of junior year. Semester study abroad is possible anytime between the second semester of sophomore year through fall semester, senior year, though junior year is ideal.Study abroad senior year must be approved by the College.

Due to sequencing, students should work with their academic adviser to determine the best time to study abroad. 

 

Study abroad opportunities are not limited to formal instruction. Consider taking advantage of the unique research, internship, and fieldwork opportunities available around the world.

In the past, students have participated in the following opportunities:

  • Earned a European Politics certificate (VU Lille)
  • Parliament Internship, London
  • Parliament Internship, (Arcadia -Edinburgh)
  • Post Genocide Restoration, Peace & Conflict Studies (SIT Rwanda, Balkans) *Graduated and awarded Fulbright Fellow
  • Investigating Changes in Queer Activism in Sarajevo After 2008 (SIT Balkans) *Graduated and returned to Serbia as Fulbright Fellow
  •  

*Villanova Semester: French Language and Politics at ESPOL

*Villanova Semester: Honors Global Scholars Politics, Philosophy, Economics Cambridge

*Villanova Semester: Irish Studies at the University of Galway

IES Abroad - European Union

Arcadia Abroad - King's College London

Arcadia Abroad - Dublin Parliamentary Internship Program

School for International Training
*Independent research anchors these programs allowing in-depth study

IES Abroad - University of Cape Town

Looking for more? 
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Perhaps you're looking for something different. Visit Passport Villanova to discover other programs. Keep in mind, if it doesn't appear on this page, above, it will need to be approved by the Villanova Italian program.

Course Approval Database 
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database  to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings so and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.  

 

*Villanova Summer Literature and Politics in Prague, Czech Republic

LSE Summer School - London School of Economics

School for International Training (SIT)

Looking for more? 
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova and explore other opportunities.
Note, programs that don't appear on the list, above, need to be reviewed and approved by the VU Italian program.

Course Approval Database 
Students should consult with the OEA Course Approval Database  to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings so and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.  

 

It is important to plan ahead as it is not uncommon for scholarship deadlines to occur much earlier than a Villanova or program application deadlines.

There are many scholarships available for students through Villanova University, our partner programs and other external sources, like the US Government. The OEA can help students with the scholarship search and application process. If a scholarship is found outside of the OEA scholarship page, students should have it reviewed by the OEA to determine if it is a viable option.

Browse the scholarships opportunities found on the OEA website.