Politics and Law

Analyze government and law through the complementary fields of political science and legal studies.

Dietrich 1160

At A Glance

What You'll Learn:

  • The structures and actions of both governmental and non-government actors in policy making 
  • How to explore complex problems from the role of government in society to the nature of democracy and civil rights
  • The ways that culture, social change, and history shape politics and law
  • Critical thinking, analytical, and negotiation skills

What You'll Do:

  • Cultivate your curiosity for civic life and become a driven learner engaged in purposeful learning
  • Integrate values, knowledge, and skills to generate a personal viewpoint and influence conversations
  • Explore complex problems and learn how to reach persuasive conclusions based on the information available

Career Options Include:

  • Researcher, Think Tank
  • Director, National Non-Profit
  • Policy Fellow, U.S. House of Representatives
  • Special Agent, U.S. Secret Service
  • Program Analyst, U.S. Dept. of State
  • Community Relations 
  • Policy Advisor, State Government
  • Attorney

Program Level: Undergraduate

Offered As: Major

College/School: College of Arts & Sciences

Our Students

Where Our Students Go

Bryant's Politics and Law graduates go on to top graduate schools (such as Dartmouth, Brown, and American), law schools (including Wake Forest, Chicago, and Villanova), and work in the fields of business, government, and nonprofit organizations.

  • American Cancer Society
  • Amica Insurance
  • CBS Boston
  • Child and Family Services
  • Federal Reserve Bank
  • Fidelity
  • Rhode Island Governor’s Office
  • Rhode Island Supreme Court
  • Teach for America
  • United Nations Humanitarian Affairs
  • U.S. Department of State
  • U.S. Secret Service
  • AU Master’s in Public Policy
  • Brown Ph.D. in Political Science
  • Dartmouth Master’s in Liberal Studies
  • Northeastern School of Law
  • UConn Ph.D. in Political Science
  • Villanova Law School

Learn With Faculty Experts

Politics Nicole Freiner and students 1160

Students Nilsa Laine '23, Grace Greenaway '23, Aly Snell '23, and Dr. Nicole Freiner (l to r) presented their research on national food politics and policies at the New England Political Science Association Meeting in 2022.

 

Experiential Learning

At Bryant, we believe in learning by doing. Politics and Law students participate in experiential learning opportunities such as internships, competitions, student-run organizations, networking with professionals, and research collaboration with faculty.

Internships

  • Bryant University partners with The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars to provide supervised internships in business, government agencies, for-profit or nonprofit sectors, and international organizations in Washington, D.C. Internships are available in all degree programs, concentrations, and minor area of studies in the summer, fall, and spring terms. Students are placed based on their academic studies, career goals, and interests.
  • The Amica Center for Career Education works directly with students to secure internships year-round, both locally and in their home states.

Competitions

  • Tupper Mock Trial Classic, hosted on campus by Bryant
  • Regional and national collegiate mock trial competitions 

Clubs/Organizations

  • Mock Trial Association
  • Bryant Law Society
  • Model United Nations
  • Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Honor Society 

Research

  • Honors Program
  • Politics and Law capstone research project
  • Research and Engagement Day 

3+3 JD with Villanova Law School

The Bryant-Villanova partnership allows students to accelerate their education and break through traditional law school barriers. At the completion of the program, students will have a bachelor's degree from Bryant University and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Villanova University School of Law.

About this Program