Political Science
Department of Government and Justice Studies
Concentrations
American Politics
International and Comparative Politics
Media, Politics, and Campaigns
Pre-professional Legal Studies
Public Management
Public Policy
Town, City, and County Management
Political science is the study of governments - their procedures and policies - and the political behavior of citizens and officials. Governments might include nation states, international organizations or the sub-units of government such as counties, states, provinces etc. Power and conflict are frequent topics of study but so are the means used to make collective and policy decisions such as elections and legislative voting. In studying these topics, political scientists use philosophical, historical and legalistic and quantitative methods. Students of political science will develop the ability to conceptualize, to think analytically, and to communicate effectively. Thus, it provides good preparation for law school or administration, urban affairs, and other social sciences. Frequent areas of employment following graduation include teaching, public relations, government service at the federal, state or local level, lobbying with interest groups or business, policy research, journalism, and campaign work (polling, media relations etc.). In addition, a large number of graduates go into business- marketing, personnel, advertising, banking and finance. Another career avenue is with non-profit agencies who are frequently the recipients of contract to perform services funded by government. Relatively few students are hired as "political scientist" since few jobs specifically call for this specialization. Graduates with computer skills or training in a specialized policy area or policy analysis in general are most likely to find government jobs. The following list contains a representative sample of job titles of former graduates with Political Science major. Use this as an idea list, and remember that it represents some, but certainly not all, of the careers you might consider. Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelors' degree.
Related Career Titles
American Politics
International and Comparative Politics
Media, Politics, and Campaigns
Pre-professional Legal Studies
Public Management
Public Policy
Town, City, and County Management
Political science is the study of governments - their procedures and policies - and the political behavior of citizens and officials. Governments might include nation states, international organizations or the sub-units of government such as counties, states, provinces etc. Power and conflict are frequent topics of study but so are the means used to make collective and policy decisions such as elections and legislative voting. In studying these topics, political scientists use philosophical, historical and legalistic and quantitative methods. Students of political science will develop the ability to conceptualize, to think analytically, and to communicate effectively. Thus, it provides good preparation for law school or administration, urban affairs, and other social sciences. Frequent areas of employment following graduation include teaching, public relations, government service at the federal, state or local level, lobbying with interest groups or business, policy research, journalism, and campaign work (polling, media relations etc.). In addition, a large number of graduates go into business- marketing, personnel, advertising, banking and finance. Another career avenue is with non-profit agencies who are frequently the recipients of contract to perform services funded by government. Relatively few students are hired as "political scientist" since few jobs specifically call for this specialization. Graduates with computer skills or training in a specialized policy area or policy analysis in general are most likely to find government jobs. The following list contains a representative sample of job titles of former graduates with Political Science major. Use this as an idea list, and remember that it represents some, but certainly not all, of the careers you might consider. Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelors' degree.
Related Career Titles
| Advocate Archivist Attorney Broadcast Journalist Campaign Manager City Manager Community Relations Director Congressional Aide Consumer Advocate Environmental Policy Analyst FBI/CIA Agent Foreign Correspondent Foreign Service Officer Government Intelligence Analyst Historic Preservationist Historic Site Interpreter International Banker International Business International Organization Official International Trade Specialist Labor Organizer Labor Relations Specialist Law Enforcement Officer Legal Assistant Legislative Analyst | Lobbyist Management Analyst Market Research Analyst Media Analyst Newspaper/Magazine Journalist Paralegal Peace Corps/Vista Worker Political Pollster Politician Presidential Advance Person Public Administrator/Manager Public Opinion Interviewer Probation/Parole Officer Public Relations Specialist Radio/TV Announcer/Producer Real Estate Agent/Broker Researcher Sales Manager Social Services Administrator Social Worker Special Interest Group Director Teacher Urban/Regional Planner Writer/Author |
Related Major Skills
| Able to develop & market ideas Analytical thinking Computer literate Decision-making Interact with diverse populations Leadership abilities | Oral & written communication Problem-solving Research skills Team worker Understanding of community needs Work well under pressure |
Organizations & Associations
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS)
American Bar Association
American Society of Criminology
American Society for Public Administration
ASU International Relations Association
Central Intelligence Agency
Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Security Agency
US Department of Justice
