Political Science

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Resources

Department of
Political Science
Woodburn Hall 210
Phone: 855-6308

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Career Resource
Library
625 North Jordan Avenue
Phone: 855-0576
Career Development Center
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625 North Jordan Avenue
Phone: 855-0576

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Phone: 812-855-0100

Description of Major

The major in political science offers broad coverage of the study of politics. Students in political science explore many different dimensions of political life, ranging from small groups and citizens' organizations, to urban setting, individual nations, supranational organizations, and the international system. The study of politics includes not only basic information about government and political process, but also explores broad issues of power, conflict, peace, citizenship, representation, and justice.

Skills & Knowledge Developed in this Field of Study

The undergraduate major provides students with the skills and knowledge to understand the theory and practice of government and politics, both here in the US and internationally. Through political science courses, students will learn about political institutions and processes and develop the capacity to think critically about political controversies, public policies, and their outcomes. The major will teach you how to evaluate individual, group, and mass behavior in political settings. Writing, research, and analytical skills are emphasized in this field of study. These skills are critical for employment in government, business, law, and communications.

Minors and Second Majors that Expand Career Options with this Major

Minors or second majors in business, public administration, economics, communication and culture, computer science, journalism and informatics are particularly useful to political science majors. Students interested in human service occupations should also consider psychology, sociology, gender studies, African-American and African Diaspora Studies, and criminal justice. Students interested in international careers should include languages and area studies programs. Courses in probability, statistics, and mathematical modeling are also useful.

Career Options

Careers Specific to the Bachelor's Degree

Although many people think law is the natural career following from a degree in political science, career options are not limited to law. Political science majors find opportunities in a variety of areas in public life, including positions in public relations firms, political campaigns, lobbying and advocacy groups, local, state, and national government; management and consulting; as well as in teaching, journalism, public planning, and of course law. Our students with a strong B.A. in political science have also been successful in finding exciting jobs in non-profit agencies, especially those for whom they have interned as an undergraduate.

Other Career Possibilities with a Bachelor's Degree

Among the positions other alumni have taken are journalist, television reporter, political writer, advertising copywriter, pollster, business positions such as purchasing agent, sales representative, human relations specialist, financial consultant, investment officer, and banker. Other students work in international business and trade and with international organizations.

Careers that Normally Require a Graduate Degree

The College Majors Handbook reveals that nationally 25 percent of all political science majors eventually earn a law degree, while another 20 percent go on for their master's degree. At IU, a sizeable percentage of political science majors go directly to law school. Others pursue master's degrees in preparation for the Foreign Service or professional work with non-governmental organizations. College and university teaching and research require a Ph.D.

Employment Opportunities

Job Outlook

Job opportunities are greatest for students who have excellent communications skills; those who have completed internships have an extra advantage in securing good employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that overall employment of social scientists, not including economists, is expected to grow by 10-20 percent through 2008-about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Salary Information

The College Majors Handbook reports college grads with a bachelor's degree in political science earn an average of $50,800, about $2,500 more annually than the average person with a bachelor's degree.

Potential Career Growth

The area of business-government relations has been identified as one of the fastest growing job sectors nationally. Given the scope of government involvement in all parts of the economy, the need for knowledge of the political process should continue to increase in both the private sector and the not-for-profit. The development of technology is greatly expanding and changing the demand for those who can use it in political and public service. Career growth should be excellent in this area.

Placement Statistics for IU Graduates with this Major

Information about career paths for recent graduates is available in the Undergraduate office, Woodburn Hall 210B.

High School Preparation

There are no special requirements for a prospective political science major. However, courses which develop writing and reasoning skills are most helpful. Students planning to specialize in international areas should begin their study of foreign languages in high school, and those who plan to study politics and economics as a field should take as much mathematics as possible.

Special Opportunities

Political science undergraduate majors have opportunities to learn first-hand about politics through a variety of opportunities. We welcome Direct Admit students as freshman to the Department. We offer a Political Science Honors Program for students with a 3.5 GPA in political science and a 3.3 GPA overall. Opportunities include small seminars and engaging in a substantive research project. For Internship and Service Learning, the department maintains a list of available opportunites and provides credit for appropriate approved projects. Political science encourages our majors, especially those interested in international affairs, to study abroad. The department will award credit in the major for approved appropriate courses taken abroad.

Noted Alumni

Frank O'Bannon, Governor, State of Indiana Jane Pauley, NBC Television Journalist Donald Fehr, Attorney, Major League Baseball Association; Paul O'Neill, former Secretary of the Treasury.