» Programs and Organizations

The Washington Semester Program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to complete a semester internship in Washington, D.C. The seminar will give you the chance to meet professionals who are deeply involved in the fields you are studying and to gain firsthand experience in the business of politics and government. The research project or elective course lets you take your experience one step further and use the valuable resources that American University and Washington, D.C. have to offer.

Semester at Sea gives you a taste of the entire globe as you travel more than 25,000 nautical miles, through 4 continents, to as many as 12 off-the-beaten-path international destinations. Semester at Sea sails three voyages per year for academic credit on the MV World Odyssey, the program’s newest vessel. Since 1963, more than 45,000 students from colleges and universities around the world have studied with Semester at Sea, traveling to non-traditional destinations in 60 countries. The Institute for Shipboard Education administers the program and Colorado State University is the academic sponsor. Students choose from more than 70 courses in a variety of disciplines. Professors on the program are internationalists who integrate course content with field practice.

Chapman offers a wide variety of semester abroad opportunities that students can personalize to fit their personal and career interests. Political science students have a number of unique programs they can apply for spanning 6 different continents and over 30 different countries. These programs range from interning with the United Nations in Switzerland to working at the Toyota headquarters in Japan, all while continuing one’s undergraduate education. The Center for Global Education provides support to students throughout the application and study abroad process, ensuring students locate a program that works best for them.

Chapman offers other opportunities for students to travel and learn through singular courses. A travel course is led by Chapman University faculty with a group of Chapman students and takes place during summer or interterm for 1-4 weeks. There are many different courses available to political science students including one where they learn about peace communication in Costa Rica and another where they delve into international business in Vietnam.

Earn your master's degree with just one additional year of study in our accelerated (4+1) programs:

The Master of Arts in International Studies program offers an integrated program option for undergraduates that enable students to begin taking MA coursework in their senior year and receive a Master of Arts degree within one year of finishing their undergraduate studies. The program is open to all undergraduate majors that have satisfied the prerequisites for the program and meet the admissions requirements. This interdisciplinary course of study is designed to train students seeking global careers with the U.S. Foreign Service, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the United Nations (UN) or businesses.

The War, Diplomacy, and Society Master’s program offers an integrated program option for undergraduates that enable students to begin taking MA coursework in their senior year and receive a Master of Arts degree within one year of finishing their undergraduate studies. The purpose of the Master of Arts Program in War, Diplomacy, and Society is to establish the intellectual foundation for professionals to think critically and creatively about the social and cultural consequences of armed conflict.

The Pi Sigma Alpha society functions at the national and chapter levels by sponsoring programs and events of value to the profession and teaching of political science. Each chapter is encouraged to provide a framework for enriching the exposure of its members and the wider university community to the study of government and issues of public concern.

Contact Information:

• Instagram:@cupisigmaalpha

The Chapman University Student Government Association is dedicated to making positive change on Chapman’s campus and amplifying the student voice. Their job is to advocate for students' needs and concerns to improve every aspect of the college experience. In their endeavors, they are always looking for student input and opinions. The Chapman University Student Government Association is comprised of the following categories: Executive Council, 17 Senators, and a Judicial Branch. Each position maintains, upholds, and advocates for a certain aspect, organization, or school on campus.

Contact Information:

• Email: sga@chapman.edu
• Instagram: @chapmansga

Kappa Alpha Pi is open to all undergraduate students and majors. Our brotherhood facilitates networking opportunities for members that appeal to a variety of careers. Members are provided with the opportunity to learn about careers in the legal field, information regarding the law school application process, LSAT preparatory information, and are able to make numerous connections with admissions advisors, professors, attorneys, judges, and other students with similar interests and career paths.

Contact Information:

• Email: chapmankap@gmail.com
• Instagram: @chapmankapi

Chapman University Pre-Law Society is here to be a source of information and networking for students interested in a career in law.

Contact Information:

• Email: prelaw@chapman.edu
• Instagram: @chapmanpls

The Chapman Undergraduate Law Review Journal shall serve as tangible practice for students with legal writing and research which will be invaluable in their legal careers post-undergraduate. This organization shall produce a journal each year

Contact Information:

• Email: cuundergraduatelawreview@chapman.edu
• Instagram: @cuundergradlawreview

Chapman University Democrats strives to foster political discourse and civic participation at Chapman. At our weekly meetings, we discuss current events, networking opportunities, host guest speakers, and engage in active dialogue about important issues facing our community. Additionally, we attend political events, socialize with Young Democrats throughout the state, and volunteer for various political and social organizations in Orange County

Contact Information:

• Email: chapmancollegedemocrats@gmail.com
• Instagram: @chapdems

The Chapman Republicans aim to spread conservative values on campus and contribute to nationwide and local conservative causes, and we provide a forum for our members to discuss their beliefs and ideas

Contact Information:

• Instagram: @chapmanrepublicans

The Poor People's Campaign of Chapman University is linked to the current Poor People’s Campaign headed by Reverend Doctor William Barber II. The movement focuses on mobilizing, organizing, registering, and educating others on the issues of systemic racism, wealth inequality, ecological devastation, and the twisted moral narrative of religious nationalism. This organization aims to educate the Chapman community on the issues related to Orange County, such as homelessness and systemic racism. We seek to promote awareness and create lasting change.

Contact Information:

• Email: ChapmanUni.PPC@gmail.com

OCAEP is an organization that works primarily with people in the environmental field, particularly in the policy side. OCAEP student chapter will help students looking to work in this field and help them with their future career. This student chapter will work on getting students prepared for the future and everything that is to come in the policy side of the environmental field. We also hold discussions about various environmental topics. We are welcome to all students!

Contact Information:

• Email: kaloust@chapman.edu
• Instagram: @ocaep.chapman

Mission Environment is Chapman's environmentalism club with a mission to educate and encourage more sustainable practices within the lives of students at the university. During club meetings, topics discussed range from waste to ocean plastic to climate change.

Contact Information:

• Email: tacazon@chapman.edu
• Instagram: @cu_missione

Global Legal Brigades is an international volunteer network of students and law professionals who collaborate with local partner organizations serving under-resourced communities to improve quality of life by implementing legal empowerment. We will embark on Law Telebrigades, which consists of students collaborating with legal professionals virtually to work with disadvantaged communities to develop and implement legal empowerment strategies. Law Telebrigades are 8 session-long experiences, each lasting about 2 hours, and include hands-on work alongside community members to promote legal empowerment. Legal Brigades creates opportunities for volunteers to work together with communities served by these organizations.

Contact Information:

• Email: gal@chapman.edu
• Instagram: @legalbrigadeschapman

A popular course among majors in Peace Studies or Political Science is the Model United Nations class, which involves students in simulated UN debates at local, regional and national levels. Model United Nations is a two course sequence that involves learning about the United Nations, breaking down international issues, and the dynamics of diplomacy.

Contact Information:

• Email: ulas@chapman.edu