Political Science

Earn a first-class training in political science that can qualify you for a variety of careers in the private and public sectors alike.

Why Study Political Science at Valpo?

Political science at Valpo prepares you to become well-informed, engaged, and impactful citizens who understand the philosophy and practice of political systems. Through our concentrations in legal studies or public policy and administration, you will learn about the political world in which you live and develop skills to critically and objectively analyze political information and to share your analysis with others.

The data analysis, writing, and communications skills that come with a Valpo political science degree will be useful no matter what career path you choose. Our graduates have worked on important policy issues like immigration, food safety, and education, and many have used their political science degree to launch careers in business.

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About Our Political Science Degree

Are you interested in American politics? International affairs? Critical issues such as public policy, globalization, terrorism, the environment, civil rights, political development, or foreign policy? Theories concerning the ideal government and how power and resources are allocated in society? Do you want to study these subjects and pursue a career based on them? If so, political science is the major for you.

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General Information

What is Political Science?

Political science delves into the study of governments, public policies, and political behavior. It is a social science which uses both humanistic perspectives and scientific skills to examine the United States and all countries and regions of the world.

As a political science major, you will hone the writing, communication, analytical, and data skills that are fundamental to a liberal arts education. This kind of education will prepare you to think critically and independently, help you appreciate differing points of view, and broaden your knowledge of current affairs. Today, students can reasonably expect to change jobs more than once and even have more than one career. An undergraduate education in the liberal arts is excellent preparation for flexibility in employment.

Career Outcomes

As a political science graduate, you are equipped to radiate in a variety of professions, whether in law, consulting, research, business and finance, government (local, state, federal), journalism, media, and communications, advoacy, non-governmental and non-profit organizations, and teaching.

While the possibilities are endless, here is a list of potential careers for a political science graduate:

Activist, Advocate/Organizer
Archivist
Budget Examiner or Analyst
Attorney
Banking Analyst
Campaign Staff
Career Counselor
CIA Analyst or Agent
City Planner
City Housing Administrator
Congressional Office Staffer
Communications Director
Corporate Analyst
Corporate Public Affairs Adviser
Corporate Manager
Corporate Information Analyst
Corporate Adviser for government Relations
Corporate Executive
Corporation Legislative Issues Manager
Data Scientist
Editor of Journals or Books
Entrepreneur
Environmental Policy Analyst
Federal Government Analyst
Financial Consultant
Foreign Service Officer
High School Government Teacher
Immigration Officer
Information Technology Officer
Intelligence Officer
International Agency Officer
International Research Specialist
Journalist, Political Correspondent
Juvenile Justice Specialist
Labor Relations Specialist
Lawyer
Lobbyist
Management Analyst
Mediator
Non-Profit Program Manager
Paralegal
Policy Analyst
Political Commentator
Polling/Survey Analyst
Public Affairs Research Analyst
Research Analyst
State Legislator
Teacher
University Administrator
University Professor
Urban Policy Planner
Web Content Editor

Adapted from the American Political Science Association.

Major Requirements

Students who choose the political science major can pursue one of three concentrations: legal studies, public policy and administration, or general political science.

For the bachelor of arts in political science, students must also complete the general education requirements. This University-wide core strengthens communication and critical-thinking skills while introducing the student to global cultures and traditions.

Requirement		Credits
POLS 120	The Government of the United States	3 credits
POLS 130	Comparative Politics	3 credits
POLS 240	Political Theory	3 credits
POLS 493	Senior Seminar in Political Science	3 credits

One concentration from the following options (see details in additional drop-downs)	18 Credits
Legal Studies Concentration
Public Policy and Administration Concentration
General Political Science Concentration
Total	30 Credits

Political Science Concentrations

Students who choose the political science major can concentrate in one of three areas: legal studies, public policy and administration, or general political science.

Legal Studies Concentration Requirements	Credits
At least one course from the following options:
POLS 326: The Presidency	3 credits
POLS 327: Congress	3 credits
POLS 342: Political Ideologies	3 credits

At least 15 credits from the following options:
POLS 170: The Field of Law
POLS 261: State and Local Politics in the United States
POLS 271: The Judicial Process
POLS 290: Topics in Political Science
POLS 326: The Presidency (if not taken above)
POLS 327: Congress (if not taken above)
POLS 342: Political Ideologies (if not taken above)
POLS 352: Model United Nations
POLS 371: Constitutional Law: Separation of Powers and Federalism
POLS 372: Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
POLS 386: Internship in Political Science
POLS 390: Advanced Topics in Political Science I
POLS 450: International Regimes and Global Governance
POLS 490: Advanced Topics in Political Science II

Total

18 credits

Public Policy and Administration Concentration Requirements	Credits
POLS 360: Public Administration	3 credits
POLS 361: Public Policy	3 credits

At least 12 credits from the following options:
POLS 210: Research Methods in Political Science
POLS 211: Policy and Persuasion
POLS 221: Political Behavior
POLS 261: State and Local Politics in the United States
POLS 271: The Judicial Process
POLS 320: Politics of Urban and Metropolitan Areas
POLS 326: The Presidency
POLS 327: Congress
POLS 386: Internship in Political Science
POLS 390: Advanced Topics in Political Science I
POLS 437: Comparative Public Policy
POLS 438: Gender and Public Policy in Global Perspective
POLS 490: Advanced Topics in Political Science II

Total

18 credits

General Political Science Concentration	Credits
Take 18 additional credits of political science courses. Must include at least one of the following courses:
POLS 326: The Presidency	3 credits
POLS 327: Congress	3 credits
POLS 336: Politics of Latin America	3 credits
POLS 342: Political Ideologies	3 credits
POLS 360: Public Administration	3 credits
POLS 361: Public Policy	3 credits
POLS 437: Comparative Public Policy	3 credits
Total	18 credits

Minor Requirements

Requirements		Credits
POLS 120	The Government of the United States	3 credits
POLS 130	Comparative Politics	3 credits
	Twelve additional political science credits	12 credits
Total		18 credits

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