Politics

At OBU, we understand that God has blessed you with a desire to improve your state and national communities. Our program and division faculty are committed to shaping your future, so you can shape the future for others. In politics, we have strong relationships with those in governmental service who want to invest in you, as others did for them. Add to that our strong emphasis on preparing you for graduate school level writing, with most classes including built-in review of your work for feedback before final submission.

Sarah Bross

Class of 2024

“OBU has taught me to ask questions and probe into the nature of life, faith, and politics, seeking truth. It is teaching me to apply these to both my everyday life and my political life in a manner that is loving and just.”

Benefits of OBU Politics Program

Politics is the study of coercion—how it works and when it is morally acceptable. We offer you a non-partisan but integrally Christian class environment. The curriculum covers many of the most controversial questions in American politics, but without an expectation that students will conform to either a “politically correct” or “reactionary” perspective.

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else!

Program Information

Internships

Internships are where the phrases “I learned” and “I met” come together to help shape your future so that you can do the same for others. We invite you to let OBU faculty introduce you to multiple local political figures in state and federal government. In recent years, our students have served with a U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressmen, and a Texas local judge.

Clubs

At OBU you will have the invaluable opportunity to participate in the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature. OBU’s representation and success is always strong as students elect officers, assign seats in the House and Senate, write legislation, compete in moot court, and debate bills.

Faith Integration

Politics is the study of power- how it is used and how it should be used. Christianity has much to tell us about this subject. At OBU, the scriptures and the Christian tradition provide the context for all our studies in politics. Some classes, like political theology, are devoted to thinking as Christians about he problems of governance. In all our classes, a Christian worldview provides the backdrop for our discussions. It rises to the surface as we reflect on the moral and spiritual dimensions of our work. We do not separate Christ and learning, because we believe education must be focused on Truth.

Challenged and Prepared

In most of our classes you will be exclusively reading actual primary and secondary texts. The challenge of engaging real scholarly works will prepare you for reading comprehension and for familiarity with ideas better than most other programs.

Jobs Opportunities and Outcomes

What you learn and experience at OBU will ready you for opportunities to serve as an elected or appointed government official, a campaign consultant, an intelligence analyst, a policy analyst, a public relations director or a professor. Our graduates have not only attended numerous law schools including Vanderbilt, OU and Baylor, but have gone on to enjoy careers with the FBI and to fill various roles in the White House and Pentagon.

Program Options

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. Bret Roark

Dr. Bret Roark

Chair, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Ralph and Marie Barby Professor of Psychology
Professor of Psychology

Dr. Jonathan Ashbach

Dr. Jonathan Ashbach

Elizabeth Randel and Ana Scales Assistant Professor in American Constitutional Law
and Assistant Professor of Political Science

Dr. Sherri Raney

Dr. Sherri Raney

Professor of History and Political Science

Become a Future Shaper