Hi,
I’ve posted many threads here in the past and I’m back again. I’m very indecisive. (!!!)
My career goal: To work for a U.S. intelligence agency.
Outside of that (either before working there or after, I would work in any political science field. I enjoy writing about political topics and studying political data).
I’ll be a junior in college this year. (I have approximately 2 full years left)
I had recently decided to get my bachelor’s in International Politics - National Security. However, I now am pretty sure that I will continue onto graduate school with almost absolute certainty. Therefore, I think it would be better to get my Masters or PhD in International Affairs - National Security and instead get my bachelor’s in Political Science (B.S).
At one point I was just going to do Political Science (B.A.) for undergrad. But now I’m thinking the B.S. might be better and get me further. This is where I need some help.
The B.A. is basically all social sciences about political topics and no math or use of data at all. This appealed to me initially because I hate math…at least CALCULUS.
But the B.S. really doesn’t include that much math…just a few Statistics courses (and I enjoy statistics) along with a computer programming course.
I am thinking that it might be best to go that route. I could better develop computer skills and statistics and data analysis, which is often a big help for getting a job in the intelligence community.
Then I could continue onto grad school for International Affairs - National Security. If I decide on this, I will have to meet with an advisor ASAP to change my courses for this Fall and get everything in order for the Political Science B.S. Some courses are only offered in the Spring, etc. and it would be a little messy to get on track, but it’s doable.
Do you agree with this plan of action? Please let me know of any advice you have.
I don’t think it matters whether you do the BA or the BS - but what DOES matter is that you learn the math and computer science skills. You can do that with either the BA or the BS. The difference is simply that the BS requires you to take the classes to graduate, whereas with the BA you would just take them as electives.
So the question is really whether you should take the math classes. If you want a PhD in political science, you should definitely take them - at least the statistics and data analysis classes and a basic computer science class. If you really want to be valuable, you could take 2-3 semesters of calculus and take calculus-based statistics, perhaps even minor in statistics.
Even if you just want the MS or want to work in the field, having quantitative facility to do analysis will be a great skill to have and will make you more marketable.
What you definitely should NOT do is just do the BA with no supplemental math or data analysis courses…I’m surprised they even offer that as an option. It won’t serve you well.
Yeah, with the BA there isn’t really any math required beyond basic level stuff that everyone should already know.
I guess I’ll go with the BS in political science for undergrad. I don’t really want to put myself though advanced calculus because it’s miserable and I will quit on it, I know it already. I should be fine taking the statistics courses because it’s a different type of math and I’ve always excelled in statistics. And then the computer programming and data analysis classes, along with advanced political science courses that serve as supporting courses.
I’ll do International Politics/National Security for my graduate studies instead. I’m surprised that the national security bachelor’s also doesn’t require any math… just criminology and risk analysis and courses like that.
I think with this path, I’ll be better prepared for a career in the intelligence community.