Political Science

female in courtroom

Overview

Program Highlights

ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½'s Department of Political Science is dedicated to developing its students' understanding of the political world at both the domestic and international levels. With an emphasis on theory and practice, students explore their role as active citizens in their community, country, and the world. Through a rigorous curriculum that cultivates competency in both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, we seek to develop the critical thinking and analytical skills essential to our students' long-term professional success. We also seek to instill in our students the responsibilities that civil society demands and are committed to their development as active citizens and leaders of their local, national, and world communities. We are dedicated to the development of the whole student, one who is better able to understand and engage in the development of a more ethical and just society.

While obtaining your political science degree, there are certain pre-requisites which are required to graduate.  The main milestones which need to be accomplished involve resumé requirements, an internship, professional development, research, methods and data analysis, and a senior thesis paper and capstone presentation on  day.

Students become life-long learners, active citizens, and leaders, with skills applicable to many career paths. Consequently, our alumni are successful in a wide variety of fields including law, criminal justice, business, advocacy, academia, diplomacy, and electoral politics.

Majors are encouraged to participate in the Washington Semester Program at American University in Washington, D.C.; Study Abroad; and in extracurricular activities such as ,  and student government.

What can I do with a degree in political science?

With a political science degree you have the ability to take on many different career paths.  Some of the main career paths include:

  • lawyer
  • lobbyist
  • government affairs director
  • diplomat or foreign service officer
  • political scientist
  • business executive
  • political consultant
  • government official
  • policy analyst
  • legislative assistant
  • communications/public relations professional
  • professor
  • public opinion researcher or pollster

Skills you will obtain in the pursuit of a political science degree.

  • Identify key questions, fundamental concepts, and theoretical frameworks critical to an understanding of the political world.
  • Identify the fundamental concepts, characteristics, and theories central to American politics.
  • Identify the fundamental concepts, characteristics, and theories central to comparative politics.
  • Identify the fundamental concepts, characteristics, and theories central to the area of international relations.
  • Solve complex problems by demonstrating a mastery of substantive knowledge in the discipline’s main sub-fields.
  • Follow scientific and humanistic methods to design and carry out politically-oriented research projects by utilizing sufficiently advanced social research methods.
  • Communicate effectively political knowledge to general audiences as well as colleagues in the field.

The ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ Political Science Department welcomes you to contact them for details about the department. For more information about admission to the University or ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ in general, contact the Office of Admission at 800.373.7733. To contact the Political Science Department directly, call 217.424.6386.

Download the Political Science Major advising sheet

Click here to find the plan of study