Adapting the Political Science Major to an Evolving Higher Education Environment

A major topic of discussion within political science is the perceived decline of the major (Ishiyama 2019). Over the last decade, institutions have seen declining enrollments in terms of student headcounts bachelor degrees conferred. Demand for political science as a major has not diminished, but the needs of its student are evolving, especially post Covid-19. Political science programs can handle these new realities, but programs should reflect on what political science programs do that work and as consider ways it can adapt to the evolving terrain of higher education. We share how the ATU political science has resisted program decline over the last decade, in the midst of some of the toughest years of higher education. Two sister programs in the state—Henderson State and Fort Smith, terminated. Drawing on our program's success, we explore some long-established staples of political science programs that work, as well as suggest possible program adaptations.