Political Science - Pre-Law
Political Science / Pre-Law Degrees from Oklahoma City Community College
Take the first steps in your public service or legal career with this respected political science degree program.
The political science / pre-law degree program at Oklahoma City Community College gives you the chance to explore the real science of politics and law.
Studying a subject like political science is good. Learning bigger lessons is better. That’s one reason we teach you both academics and the art of self expression and self motivation.
There is no better time to get started.
Why not complete your online community college admissions application today?
Vital Skills Gained Through OCCC’s Political Science Degree Program
When you study political science or pre-law at Oklahoma City Community College, you’ll have the chance to:
- Hone your critical thinking skills
- Study great political theorists in their own words
- See how modern political thinkers fit into the whole political landscape
- Find your strengths in conveying information, even if you don’t intend to persuade
- Learn to challenge values, opinions and believes
- View the world through different perspectives
Political Science / Pre-Law Degrees at Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City Community College offers an associate in arts degree in political science / pre-law:
- Associate in arts degree – political science / pre-law: This two-year associate degree program from OCCC prepares you to transfer to a four-year university. Most of our political science / pre-law students go on to complete a bachelor’s degree. Many continue their academic careers with master’s degrees, law degrees and beyond.
Political Science Classes at Oklahoma City Community College
These political science classes – and many others – provide both the political theory and the hands-on analysis you want. Your college classes will include:
- American Federal Government
- Introduction to Law
- Introduction to Public Administration
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Contemporary Issues in American Politics
- Scope and Methods of Political Science
Through OCCC’s Introduction to Law, you’ll have the chance to see what a career in law is really all about.
Oklahoma City Community College political science / pre-law majors also complete a final capstone project that harnesses original research on a topic of special interest to you.
You can access OCCC’s online course catalog, which includes details on Oklahoma City Community College political science degree requirements and political science class descriptions.
OCCC’s political science online classes have grown significantly in recently years – with a dozen or more online options. You also can choose from evening and weekend classes, if your work schedule demands it.
Dana Glencross
Professor of Political Science
I have lived most of my life in south Oklahoma City, graduating with honors from Moore High School. My undergraduate degree is in English, with a minor in Political Science. My Master’s work is in Political Science, specializing in the areas of Congress, law, and comparative politics. Both of my degrees are from Oklahoma State University. Previously, I taught at Murray State College in Tishomingo, OK. My hobbies include chocolate, golf, and collecting presidential campaign buttons.
R. A. Hopkins
Professor of Political Science
Professor Hopkins has been either teaching American Federal Government or serving students in an administrative capacity for more than two decades. He completed his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education at the University of North Texas and holds lifetime teaching certificates in Political Science and History. Additionally, Professor Hopkins earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration at the University of Texas at Tyler and Master's Degree in Adult and Higher Education at Oklahoma State University. Professor Hopkins began his association with Oklahoma City Community College during the Fall 2000 semester initially serving as an adjunct instructor. He accepted a full-time faculty position beginning with the 2005-06 academic year. Prior to joining the faculty at OCCC, Professor Hopkins served as an adjunct instructor at Oklahoma State University (OKC) and at Rose State College. He previously served in administrative capacities at The University of Oklahoma and at Northeastern State University.
Markus Smith
Department Chair of Political Science and Professor of Political Science
Education: Ph.D., University of Oklahoma C.G.T.S., Phillips Theological Seminary M.Ed., University of Oklahoma M.A., University of Central Oklahoma B.A., University of Central Oklahoma A.A., Oklahoma City Community College Awards: Oklahoma City Community College Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, 2011 Publications: Impacts of Homicide and Death Penalty Experiences: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Approach. UK: Lambert Academic Publications, 2012. “Public Policy.” Oklahoma Government & Politics (4th & 5th Ed.). IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2012, 2008. “Capital Punishment on Trial: The Issues of Cost, Deterrence, and Race.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of The Midwest Political Science Association, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, Illinois, April 07, 2005. “Capital Punishment on Trial in Oklahoma.” New Plains Review, Volume 4, No. 2., 2004. “An Analysis of the Death Penalty in the State of Oklahoma.” The Criminal Justice Student Writer’s Manual. NJ: Pearson Education/Prentice Hall, 2004. Professional Presentations: “Crash Course in Phenomenology and How It Was Applied.” Presented in 6933 Naturalistic and Qualitative Research in Education at the University of Oklahoma, 2012. “Life After LA.” Presented at the 22nd Annual Spring Symposium at the University of Central Oklahoma, 2010. “Persevering Through Adversity.” Presented to the Career Transitions Program at Oklahoma City Community College, 2009. “Spring 2009 Advancing the Success of Students at OCCC.” Presented at Oklahoma City Community College, 2009. “Leadership.” Presented to The Leadership Council (TLC) at Oklahoma City Community College, 2008. You May Not Know: John Stuart Mill is one of my favorite philosophers. Over the course of 15 years, I have competed, taught, trained, and coached U.S. Junior, Senior, and Collegiate National Champions in the Olympic sport of Taekwondo. I am also a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo. I LOVE BEING A STUDENT!!!!!
Nate VandenBrook
Professor of Political Science
Professor of Political Science Nate Vanden Brook hails from the Great White North that is Michigan. Prior to moving to Oklahoma City just over a year ago he grew up traversing the concrete ribbon that is metropolitan Detroit, but spent the last decade in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He holds BA's in Comparative Religion and Political Science and a MA in Political Science from Western Michigan University. He likes to spend his time reading, listening to music and toying with his Stella motor scooter.
Rick Vollmer
Professor of Political Science
BA Political Science, Southwestern Oklahoma State UniversityMA Political Science, Wichita State UniversityPHD Coursework, University of Missouri; Oklahoma State UniversityHobbies: Politics; traveling; wineOwner/Operator: Native Spirits Winery, Norman, OK
While some Oklahoma City Community College political science students begin new careers upon graduation, OCCC designed its political science programs to prepare you to transfer your associate degree to a four-year university, where you can complete your bachelor’s degree and then consider what law school or graduate school options appeal to you.
Not everyone who graduates with a political science degree goes into politics. Sure, many OCCC political science and pre-law graduates work in campaigns or even run for office themselves, but political science jobs exist in these (and many other) fields:
- Government at all levels, including diplomatic posts
- Legal professions – lawyers, judges, other judicial roles
- Research and public policy analysis (think tanks)
- Advocacy, including local, national and international non-profit organizations
- International business
- Labor relations
- Media
