Political Science Careers

Political science graduates are prepared to enter graduate and professional schools as well as a wide range of career options, including:

• Business
• State, local, and national government
• International employment
• Journalism
• Law
• Law enforcement and criminal justice
• Lobbying
• Teaching
• Paralegal certificate

International Studies

The interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum strengthens written and oral skills and thereby prepares students for the widest variety of career opportunities. The primary career goal of the international studies major is to provide students interested in either international careers or graduate/ professional training in international affairs with the proper foundation. The globalization of the world economy and the dominance of multinational corporations make the program especially attractive. Students who major in international studies often go into:

• Law, especially international law and international business law
• The Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State
• International business
• Journalism in international politics or current affairs
• Foreign language instruction or translation

Paralegal

Career opportunities include attending law school, legal research activities in a law firm or working in a law-related field such as criminal justice or social work. Since it is quite common for many students to work a few years between obtaining their undergraduate degree and attending law school, the legal studies minor and the paralegal certificate provide employment entry into law firms for a variety of legal responsibilities such as legal research, legal writing, document and other preparation for court cases, and assisting the resolution of legal problems.

Public Policy

Depending on the concentration students choose, the public policy and administration major prepares them for careers in the administrative, legislative or judicial branches of local, state and national governments; business organizations, such as public utilities or defense contractors, which work closely with government; hospitals, charitable organizations and other non-profit organizations; and for law school or graduate school admission.