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Drawer Trigger

The History and Political Science Major allows students to explore the human experiences and the political movements that have created our world from a Christ-centered perspective.

An interdisciplinary degree in History and Political Science is a Vanguard distinctive and the combination creates a well-rounded approach to preparing the next generation of world changers.

Working with your faculty advisor, you get to customize your path to the degree, depending on your interests and career aspirations. Whatever classes you choose, you will graduate ready to be a critical thinker, thorough researcher, excellent communicator, and problem solver. History and Political Science majors often go into fields like law, politics, business, education, government, nonprofit work, or consulting, and you'll get practical opportunities to explore your career options. 

History and Political Science has a strong culture of internships, teaching assistantships, faculty-led research and community engagement. You will be encouraged to participate in student-led campus groups, study abroad, community service projects, annual speaker series, and the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), all while developing life-long relationships with your fellow students and your faculty. 

The Department of History & Political Science strives to create a community of thinkers, ready to thoughtfully listen to the view of others, develop and articulate their own views, and engage the complex and challenging problems in the world today from a Biblically-based, Spirit-empowered foundation. 

The Department of History & Political Science offers the following programs:

The department also offers a minor in Pre-Law and a general minor in History & Political Science.

A Sampling of History & Political Science Courses

Chicano History

U.S. Foreign Policy

The History of Human Rights

Is a degree in History & Political Science the next part of your story? Hear from students and faculty about why you should consider this major at Vanguard.

Program Highlights

A female faculty member talks to a student

Faculty Advisors

A distinctive of the HPS major, each student gets academic advising from a resident faculty member, ensuring personalized attention, career development, and close student-faculty mentorships.

A group of students pose with their honor society certificates

Honors Societies

HPS Majors with qualifying GPAs can join two honors societies: Phi Alpha Theta (History) and Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science). This allows our majors to stand out to future graduate schools and future employers.

VU Forum

A political awareness club run by HPS majors and open to all VU students, the VU Forum hosts debate nights, political discussions, voter registration drives, and trivia competitions to encourage fuller and more meaningful political dialogues.

Student participate in an off-site learning experience

Experiential Learning

Whether through in-class debates, field trips, historical simulation games, or relevant field work, the major is full of active hands-on learning experiences. 

Clio and Cicero

The department’s research journal allows students to publish their work as well as gain experience in editing and publication. 

Internship Opportunities

Our majors gain useful career preparation and earn college credits through internships at law firms, government agencies, historical societies, and more.

What Students Are Saying

Make an Impact

Vanguard History and Political Science graduates have a long track record of impactful careers and advanced study.

Recent alumni work for:

  • County of Maui
  • World Relief Seattle
  • Santa Ana School District
  • This Week in Health IT
  • Areo Inc.
  • Hillsong Channel
  • Irvine Police Department
  • Westcliff University
  • Happy Money Financial Services
  • Bonney Lake High School
  • World Vision
  • AbstractOps Consulting
  • Elk Grove Unified School District
  • Philadelphia Insurance Companies
  • Visalia Unified School District
  • LifeWorks Community Action
  • Pivot Charter School
  • Rice, Hadley, Gates, & Manuel LLC
  • Passion Law
  • Global Center for Women & Justice
  • Trellis International 
  • San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors  
  • Sunkist Growers

Recent alumni work as:

  • Grant Writer
  • President (Law Firm)
  • Professor       
  • Civil Litigation Attorney
  • Refugee Resettlement Coordinator
  • Director of Marketing
  • Grants Manager
  • Director of Operations (Nonprofit)
  • Human Resources Payroll Manager
  • Social Studies Teacher
  • Student Services Advisor (Higher Education)
  • Member Advocate (Financial Services)
  • Operations Partner (Consulting Firm)
  • Program Manager (Nonprofit)
  • Underwriter
  • Family Coordinator (Nonprofit)
  • Educational Coordinator
  • Campaign Manager
  • Field Organizer
  • Human Resources Assistant
  • Policy Analyst
  • Policy Director 
  • Domestic Sales Coordinator

Recent alumni study at:

  • University of Virginia
  • Yale University Divinity School
  • Fuller Theological Seminary
  • Princeton Theological Seminary
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Baylor University
  • American Military University
  • University of California, Irvine
  • Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
  • Pepperdine University
  • George Mason University
  • California State University, Long Beach
  • California State University, Fullerton
  • University of Southern California
  • Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
  • George Washington University
  • Syracuse University
  • NYU
  • Stockholm University
  • The Citadel
  • University of Edinburgh

We invite you to take the next step