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Political Science

For a list of related career titles click here.
For a list of related web sites click here.

 Political Science involves the systematic study of how people and societies make the political decisions that affect their lives.  Topics of interest to political decisions that affect their lives.  Topics of interest to political scientists include:  how governments function, as well as how governments should function; differences and similarities among political systems in different parts of the world; and ways of better understanding such phenomena as conflict, legitimacy, political parties, elections, international organizations, coup d'etats, interest groups; and executive, legislative and judicial decision making.

In the political science department at DePauw, as at virtually every college in the United States, a disproportionate number of courses focus on the American political system.  But there are also many courses on political system.  but there are also many courses on political systems in other countries and regions (Russia and the CIS, the Middle East, Europe, China, India and the Third World more generally), on relations among and between nations, and on issues and questions that transcend the politics of any particular place.  The department offers both a major and a minor in Political Science.

Many Political Science students enhance their understanding of politics through relevant off-campus experiences, including internships in various government offices, Winter Term travel, and studying overseas or in Washington for a semester.

Political Science majors have gone on to successful careers in appointed and elected government positions, journalism, business, research, teaching and law.

Many occupations today require a college educated individual who can write and speak well, solve problems, learn new information quickly and work well with others on a team. This means that college graduates use their education in a wide variety of fields, and your future career may relate more to your personal career interests, work values and transferable skills than any specific academic major. However, the following list contains a representative sample of job titles of the 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.

Students obtaining employment immediately upon graduation are usually those with the best college records and a willingness to relocate to find a job. Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelors’ degree.

Related Career Titles for Political Science Majors
 

POLITICAL SCIENCE WEB SITES

GENERAL POLITICAL SCIENCE SITES

American Political Science Association

International Political Science Association

Political Science Virtual Library

National Political Science Honor Society (Pi Sigma Alpha)

Political Science- Scholarly Societies

Political Scientists (Princeton Review)

Social Scientists (Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Federal Web Locator

LAW SITES

Pre-Law Student Services

Do I Want To Go To Law School?

How Do I Prepare For Law School?

The Law Student Web

National Federation of Paralegals Association

GENERAL CAREER SITES:

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Job Web: Career Planning Information (Job Search, Career Choices, Career Library, Colleges & Universities, US School Districts, Graduate & Professional Schools, Minority Resources, Persons With Disabilities, Relocation Resources, and International Resources.)

What Color Is Your Parachute? The Net Guide

Riley Guide: Employment Resources on the Internet

The Black Collegian

American Studies Web: Economy & Politics

Political Science Department at DePauw University

INTERNSHIP SITES:

Internships- Nationwide Sites

4work Internships