A new undergraduate degree program at Emporia State was created by faculty in the Emporia State Department of Social Sciences, Sociology and Criminology who wanted to counter declining enrollments in two separate programs. The new bachelor of science degree in History and Government was approved in November 2022 by the Kansas Board of Regents and will launch in fall 2023.

The new program, which merges political science and history, and is divided into three components:

• American History + Government, which focuses on U.S. history with classes on the presidency, U.S. Constitution and politics
• World History + Government, with classes in European history, medieval history and China plus classes in comparative government and the Politics of Asia
• Ideas + Institutions, with classes on a variety of different areas including political parties and constitutional law

Elective classes in a variety of disciplines in social sciences and sociology complete the program.

The undergraduate program prepares students for careers in public service, politics, government and government relations as well as graduate programs in history, political science, law school and library science.

Adding Emporia State’s public administration minor will prepare students for careers in public policy. Future plans include the possibility of internships in government relations and the legislature.

Faculty in the department will continue to offer the robust bachelor of science in education degree in social sciences for students who want to enter the teaching profession.