You don’t have to be “in politics” to be affected by politics. Health care, the environment, free speech, human rights — all of these are political issues that can be deeply and profoundly personal. We’re all part of the political process. Every voter, every future voter, every taxpayer, and every citizen. We live with the laws and sometimes complain about the government. And some of us will even step up to the challenge of a free society by working to change laws or make new ones.
Our majors immerse themselves in the study of government, public policy, and political culture. Along the way, they sharpen their skills in writing, communication, and complex analysis.
Southern's Political Science programs offer excellent preparation for students interested in pursuing careers in public administration, law, business, public relations, and journalism.
Learning Outcomes
- A. To demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the methods and findings of the discipline.
- B. To demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the key statistical tools used in political science.
- C. To demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills in the study of political science.
- D. To demonstrate an understanding of the workplace experience.
Programs
Political Science, B.A.
The B.A. program provides students with broad exposure to the discipline of political science. Students must take courses in all 4 major sub-fields of the discipline: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. The breadth of the major is good preparation for students interested in graduate programs in the discipline. It also prepares students for careers in government and politics as well as those requiring a grounding in liberal arts.
Political Science, B.S.
The B.S. program in political science is designed to combine traditional instruction in the discipline with a strong emphasis on the more applied, practical, or quantified approaches to the study of politics at all levels: local, national, and international. Accordingly, in addition to regular course work the program requires the successful completion of an internship (PSC 497), and to take a course in quantitative analysis (PSC 367).
Careers
Political science prepares the student for careers in government service, business and finance, teaching, law, the mass media, international affairs, data analysis, and organizations advocating public policy. A study by Georgetown’s Center for Education and the Workforce found that political science majors earn above the median income for all college majors, and are second in earnings only to economists in the social sciences. Many work side-by-side with legislators and policy-makers as interns at the state legislature in Hartford, in the U.S. Congress in Washington, or at prestigious public policy agencies or worldwide organizations.
Typical Job Titles
- Political Scientist
- Lawyer
- Diplomat
- International Relations Specialist
- Political Campaign Manager
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Lobbyist
- Government Relations Specialist
- Legislative Analyst
- Policy Analyst
- Public Administrator
Faculty from the political science department were pivotal throughout my time as a student. Professors helped me succeed by supporting and empowering me to access opportunities beyond the classroom. These experiences, particularly internships, allowed me to build relevant experience before graduating, which prepared me better to transition into my early professional career. Majoring in political science honed my written communication skills and background in statistics, which has been crucial for data analytics. Since graduating, I've relied heavily on these skills, especially in writing reports and memos essential in the policy field. The department's thorough preparation has enabled me to deliver high-quality work.
Rosana Duarte, Bachelors of Science