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Choosing a PhD Program in Political Science: What You Need to Know

Suppose you want to influence the way our society works. You’re certain that enrolling in a PhD program in political science is a good next step, but you’re looking for some guidance on which schools to apply to. In this podcast, IHS’s Jeanne Hoffman sits down with Dr. Nigel Ash ford to discuss how to choose a PhD program in political science.

The topics covered include:

• The five types of political science programs.
• The importance of a program’s rankings.
• What you should be looking for in a faculty advisor.
• Programs for people who believe in limited government or are libertarians.
• What you can do to increase your chances of getting into your top-choice program.

Transcription for “Choosing a PhD Program in Political Science”

Jeanne Hoffman: Welcome to this IHS online podcast. I’m Jeanne Hoffman. Today my guest is Nigel Ashford, and we’re talking about choosing a political science graduate program and using your degree. Dr. Ashford is the Senior Program Officer at the Institute for Humane Studies. Welcome Dr. Ashford, thanks for joining us once again.

Nigel Ashford: Thanks for the invitation.

Jeanne Hoffman: What should you think about when applying to political science programs?

Nigel Ashford: I’m going to start by the assumption that your goal is going into academia. If you’re not, there may be other considerations, but let me assume for the moment that it is. You need to think about who are the people who get academic jobs if that’s your goal. The evidence suggests that there are two main factors determining where you get an academic job. The first is the ranking of the department of your institution.

One thing we need to be clear about is that when you looked for undergraduate programs you looked at the ranking of the university.

One thing you need to be clear about is that’s not necessarily the same thing as the ranking of the department. Sometimes, you’ll have a good school, but the political science department isn’t great, or you’ll have a mid-ranking school but the political science department is really good.

You need to know about the ranking of the political science departments. You can look, for example, at US News and World Report have a website or APSA. If you go to APSA, American Political Science Association, they have a ranking of schools. So the ranking of the department is one thing.

The second thing that’s most important is your faculty advisor.

That’s going to make a big difference to whether you get an academic job or not. One of the things you need to know before you’re going there is. “What is the general area I’m going to work with? What are the field I want to work with?”

In political science, we usually identify five fields:

• American politics
• comparative politics
• international politics or international relations
• political methodology
• political theory

You need to know, “Which of those fields do I expect to work on?” That may change as you go through your graduate program, but you know in advance. Then you need to ask, “Well, who does American politics if that’s my field? Is anybody in American politics in that department doing stuff that relates to the things that I’m interested in?” You need to delve down quite deeply into looking at individual faculty members in making a decision.

The third thing, you also have to take into account your own quality of life.

Do you want to live on the West Coast, do you happy to live in a big city, etc.? These things may also affect your decisions, but the most important thing in terms of getting a job is the ranking of your department and who your faculty advisor is.

Jeanne Hoffman: Is there much difference between the programs themselves?

Nigel Ashford: Generally speaking, they’ll be the same. Some of them are stronger in others. Again, that’s something you might want to, when you look at the ranking of the sub-fields, you might want to look at. “Oh, that’s really good in political theory, but I don’t want to do political theory,” or, “I want to do American politics, and this school looks really good. It seems to have a lot of people working in American politics.” You may have a very specific interest. “I want to do research on India.” You need to do the research about in which departments that have faculty members that work on something like India.

I think once you’re there, you will be expected to do a variety of different coursework so you get some sense about all these different fields, and indeed you may then change your mind about where you’re going. Broadly speaking though, it’s fairly similar, and if you go to their websites they will often say, “We’re known for our strength in one of these sub fields.”

Jeanne Hoffman: What about specifically in the top programs?

Nigel Ashford: Again, the top programs, most of them are fairly large departments, so that means they should have good people in all the sub-fields that you’re looking at. Again, you may want to be careful that maybe the top person in your field that you’re interested in is retiring soon, so they’ll be gone. Is there somebody else there who’s also of good name in your field?

The thing I was thinking you should think about when you’re applying to graduate school: “What’s the question that interests me? What drives my interest, my intellectual interest? What are the things that I’ve read that have stimulated that interest? Where do the professors who I’ve read, what departments are they at?”

That may give you a clue, “Oh, that’s the sort of person I would like to work with, because they seem to be interested in the same things that I’m interested in.”

Jeanne Hoffman: Are there any programs that are overtly friendly to Classical Liberals?

Nigel Ashford: No. There may be specific individuals who are, but I can’t say, “Oh, you should go to this particular department because it particularly sympathetic to classical liberals.” What you may want to do is, where you see where is a good department that looks good in what you’re interested in, you might want to contact the IHS and say, “Is there anybody in that department who’s sympathetic to classical liberal ideas?”

There might be somebody in your field that you we can tell you, or they may not be in your field but they’re at least in your department. I come out of the question, the most important thing is a ranking and the faculty advisor. There’s no “The Classical Liberal School” that you should go to.

Jeanne Hoffman: Once I decide what programs I want to apply to, do you have any advice that’s specific to political science for the application process?

Nigel Ashford: I think you’ll find most of the departments have on their own websites, “This is the process. These are the things you’re going to apply for.” It tends to be the same sorts of things you’d expect elsewhere.

The GRE is very important. So is how well you did at school. Getting good recommendations from your professors matters. They tend not to vary that much in political science than from other disciplines.

It’s also very important to find a reason for why  you’re applying to that school. You’re giving a clear reason about why you’re interested in that particular school. I don’t think political science is that much different than other sorts of disciplines.

Jeanne Hoffman: How open should I be when applying to programs or discussing applying with faculty with my classical liberal views?

Nigel Ashford: You don’t want to label yourself as a classical liberal. You’re going to work with people who are not classical liberals. You shouldn’t be accepted onto a program because you’re a classical liberal. You shouldn’t be accepted onto a program because you’re a Marxist.

What you should be accepted for is you have interesting questions. Things that interest you.

Now, you presumably think that by pursuing this question it will lead you to classical liberal friendly results, but you should start from the question, because you want to find a faculty member to work with who’s interested in the same question. As long as you do good work, they won’t mind that it ends up with a classical liberal solution.

I think you should these sorts of situations with “What’s a question that interests me?” Not: “I’m a Classical Liberal; therefore, you should accept me at your school.”

Jeanne Hoffman: What kinds of coursework could I expect in my first year and is there anything I can read to prepare for that?

Nigel Ashford: One of the things you should look at are the courses. There may be some courses which are compulsory that you have to take. For example, you’ll probably have to take some courses in political methodology.

• Look at what the courses are that you’ll have to take, and often the syllabi are on the website.
• Familiarize yourself with the courses that are going to be your choices in your first year.
• Look at what those courses are that you’re going to take and what are the books that are recommended for that. The more work you can do before you arrive for the courses you’re going to take, the better.

Jeanne Hoffman: Aside from academic careers, what type of careers could I get after completing a PhD program in political science?

Nigel Ashford: The American Political Science Association has a section, indeed a whole booklet, on careers in political science. They list sixty different careers other than academia that are interested in people with a political science graduate program. Some obvious choices might include working in government in executive or the congressional branches.

Remember to not only think about the federal level, but to consider the state and local level as well.

There may be opportunities like working in journalism or working for a think-tank or a policy analyst. Working in government affairs for corporations and business, is also an option. (Sad to say, they’re strongly affected by what goes on in government and most business people have no idea how the political system works.)

You can bring your knowledge to table and explain how the political system affects their business and what they need to do to try and (as I would put it) limit the damages that government will do to them.

There are lots of opportunities other than academia. Just to mention, if you are interested in non-academic careers, that might actually affect where you go to do your PhD. Some places may not be so highly ranked for academic purposes, but might actually be more highly ranked for non-academic careers.

Jeanne Hoffman: Thank you very much for your insight into political science programs.

Nigel Ashford: Thank you.

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Should I Pursue a PhD in Political Science?

Read a summary or generate practice questions using the INOMICS AI tool

As another season of graduate school applications comes to a close, we wanted to offer a few diverse perspectives on the matter for any of you still on the fence, or for those of you planning ahead for next year. Although deadlines for this coming fall have already passed for most schools in North America, potential PhD candidates looking at  European , Asian, African or  Latin American  schools may still have some time to send in an application.

Whether you’re unsure about getting a PhD altogether or if it’s just political science you’re feeling wary of, hopefully this post will help you clear some of the doctoral application fog.

1)    If you are interested in pursuing a PhD but are stuck on the dissertation proposal, try perusing some of the recent literature for concrete ideas to build off of. The rather young  European Political Science Association  founded the  Political Science Research and Methods  journal last year, while other journals such as the American Political Science Review or the  British Journal of Political Science  are more well-established and offer a wealth of top-notch articles. Looking through the sites of various regional associations, such as the  Latin American Political Science Association , the  Asian Political and International Studies Association  or the  African Politics Conference Group , can also help you get a better idea of current scholarship across the diverse areas within political science.

2)    This  post  from Smoke-Filled Room, a blog written by a group of current doctoral students in political science, offers a breakdown of what to consider when choosing a poli sci PhD program. While the advice offered here is drawn from a U.S. American student population, much of it is highly transferable.

3)     This list  of pros and cons from the blog Outside the Beltway is based largely on what one’s aims are post-PhD. Keeping long-term career goals in mind can help you target your application in terms of schools and subject matter.

4)    In  this piece  for Foreign Policy, international politics professor Daniel Drezner offers 5 dos and don’ts for creating a solid application. In  this follow-up article , he specifically addresses post-graduates, offering concrete advice for how to put together a strong application after a few years out of university.

5)    This  forum , called the Grade Café, offers current, potential and former graduate students a place to discuss any and all relevant topics. In this  thread , the question of American versus European political science PhD programs is debated, offering insight into personal opinions regarding the location of one’s studies.

6)    Beyond the Grad Café, there are a number of other blogs and forums worth checking out, particularly those written by students and/or professors with a specific focus on political science and related fields. These include the student-centric  IR Blog ;  The Monkey Cage , which is written by five professors and includes relevant discussion and the publication of recent articles;  Democracy and Democratization , which covers an array of topics from diverse students and faculty from the Social Science Research Center Berlin and  The Duck of Minerva , which offers commentary and information from a wide variety of contributors from within academia.

7)    While worries about money can put the brakes on any endeavor, don’t let it be what’s keeping you from moving forward with your education. Take a look at  this post  from INOMICS guest blogger Laura Pennington about the many ways to finance your PhD studies.

8)    Finally,  this data  from the American Political Science Association indicates that job openings for political scientists at universities are once again on the rise after the tailspin during the recession. While the academic job market is still highly competitive, these numbers offer hope!

If you’re still unsure about which programs to apply to, however, you can find a plethora of options on the  INOMICS site . To help narrow down your list, keep an eye out for our upcoming post on top political science departments!

Photo credit:  Elliott Brown

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Graduate Program

Pushing the Scholarly Frontier

PhD in Political Science

Our doctoral students are advancing political science as a discipline. They explore the empirical phenomena that produce new scholarly insights—insights that improve the way governments and societies function. As a result, MIT Political Science graduates are sought after for top teaching and research positions in the U.S. and abroad. Read where program alumni are working around the world.

How the PhD program works

The MIT PhD in Political Science requires preparation in two of these major fields:

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Models and Methods
• Political Economy
• Security Studies

We recommend that you take a broad array of courses across your two major fields. In some cases, a single course may overlap across the subject matter of both fields. You may not use more than one such course to "double count" for the course distribution requirement. Keep in mind that specific fields may have additional requirements.

You are free to take subjects in other departments across the Institute. Cross-registration arrangements also permit enrollment in subjects taught in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University and in some of Harvard's other graduate schools.

Requirements

1. number of subjects.

You will need two full academic years of work to prepare for the general examinations and to meet other pre-dissertation requirements. Typically, a minimum of eight graduate subjects are required for a PhD.

2. Scope and Methods

This required one-semester seminar for first-year students introduces principles of empirical and theoretical analysis in political science.

3. Statistics

You must successfully complete at least one class in statistics.

You must successfully complete at least one class in empirical research methods.

5. Philosophy

You must successfully complete at least one class in political philosophy.

6. Foreign language or advanced statistics

You must demonstrate reading proficiency in one language other than English by successfully completing two semesters of intermediate-level coursework or an exam in that language, or you must demonstrate your knowledge of advanced statistics by successfully completing three semesters of coursework in advanced statistics. International students whose native language is not English are not subject to the language requirement.

7. Field research

We encourage you to conduct field research and to develop close working ties with faculty members engaged in major research activities.

8. Second Year Paper/workshop

You must complete an article-length research paper and related workshop in the spring semester of the second year. The second-year paper often develops into a dissertation project.

9. Two examinations

In each of your two elected fields, you must take a general written and oral examination. To prepare for these examinations, you should take at least three courses in each of the two fields, including the field seminar.

10. Doctoral thesis

As a rule, the doctoral thesis requires at least one year of original research and data collection. Writing the dissertation usually takes a substantially longer time. The thesis process includes a first and second colloquium and an oral defense. Be sure to consult the MIT Specifications for Thesis Preparation as well as the MIT Political Science Thesis Guidelines . Consult the MIT academic calendar to learn the due date for final submission of your defended, signed thesis.

Questions? Consult the MIT Political Science Departmental Handbook or a member of the staff in the MIT Political Science Graduate Office .

Daniel W. Drezner: So you want to get into a political science Ph.D. program… Episode I

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So you want to get into a political science Ph.D. program… Episode I

After blogging last week about the gendered effects of a ph.d. for foreign policy professionals, i got a reasonable query from caitlin fitzgerald:  if getting a ph.d. is so great, how does one get accepted into a doctoral program in political science  this is a good question.  despite all of the warnings being proffered about ....

After blogging last week about the gendered effects of a Ph.D. for foreign policy professionals, I got a reasonable query from Caitlin Fitzgerald :  if getting a Ph.D. is so great, how does one get accepted into a doctoral program in political science? 

This is a good question.  Despite all of the warnings being proffered about the stultifying nature of graduate school and the horrible, very-bad, not-so-great quality of the academic job market, competition to get into top-tier grad schools is still quite high.  So, how do you get in? 

As someone who got accepted into a very competitive Ph.D. program in Boston San Francisco – well, not in San Francisco, but nearby – no, not Santa Clara [ OK, that’s enough!!–ed .] and as someone who has sat in on more than his fair share of admissions committees, I can proffer some useful tips.  I’m going to do this in two parts:  first, what undergraduates should do, and then what post-baccalaureate types should do.  I’m starting with the undergraduates because it’s not too late for them it’s at the college level when an individual applicant can lay the necessary groundwork for a strong application. 

Before I jump into the five dos and don’ts, let me remind you of something:  in good Ph.D. programs, admissions committees are looking for a reason to ding you .  The problem is a surfeit, not a dearth, of qualified applicants.  By the last stages of the process, admissions committees are often making accept-or-reject decisions on distinctions so minor that no one would admit them publicly (it’s not that we want to do this – it’s that admissions slots are scarce and looking at minutiae seems fairer than, say, a random draw).  What this means is that any serious chink in your admissions armor – low GPA, low GREs, weak recommendations, etc. – gives an admissions committee a valid excuse to ding you.  So if you’re really interested, you have to make sure that every facet of your application is up to par. 

With that out of the way, here are the Five Dos and Five Don’ts for undergraduates applying to Political Science Ph.D. programs in either international relations or comparative politics: 

THE FIVE DOS :

1.  Read some actual political science .  This might sound obvious, but a lot of undergraduate programs in political science — particularly in the first few years — will have syllabi larded with  weird textbooks and Foreign Affairs articles.  And that’s OK for undergrads — but if you’re thinking of getting a Ph.D. and you’re not terribly familiar with either  International Organization or the American Political Science Review , you’re in for a world of hurt.  Read the journals to get a sense of A) what it’s like to write in political sciencese ; B) not sound like an idiot when you write your application; and C) Make sure, one last time, that this is really what you want to do for the next six years. 

2.  Write a thesis .  Ph.D. programs want to be sure that you will have the intellectual chops to do real research and real writing.  The best opportunity you’ll have to do that as an undergrad is your B.A. thesis.  If you don’t write one and apply to a Ph.D. program, that’s a red flag.  Why didn’t you write one?  If you can’t handle that, how could you handle a dissertaton?  So write a thesis whether it’s required or not — and make sure it’s good. 

3.  Get comfortable with math .  Even if you’re aspiring to do pure political theory or qualitative work, you’re going to have to take classes in methodology, game theory and econometrics in graduate school.  Oh, and by the way, with the arrival  of Big Data , even areas of research that used to be qualitative are becoming quantitative.  The less innumerate you are, the less these courses will seem like a foreign language.  At a minimum, make sure you have familiarity with intermediate-level statistics and multivariate calculus.  Linear algebra is nice too. 

4.  Go abroad and learn a language .  Experience is not weighted all that heavily in grad school applications.  Overseas experience is an exception, particularly if you want to specialize in an area or region of the globe.  Learning a language pertinent to that region or area will help as well.  Exploit study abroad programs as a way to signal that you’ll be up for the rigors of field work. 

5.  Get rich .  Ready for some real-keeping?  If you can fund your own ticket for graduate school, the admissions standards are not nearly so high.  Whether you inherit family wealth, win an NSF fellowship , or finally make sure that Nigerian e-mailer comes through, having no need for fellowship support makes you a freebie to most programs. At that point, the equation changes from "is this candidate among the best?" to "is this candidate above the bar?"  The latter is much easier to clear than the former. 

And now…. THE FIVE DON’TS:

1.  E-mail professors in Ph.D. programs at length .  Your mileage may vary, but speaking personally, I’m at the point where I get so many of these emails that I ignore all of them.  All.  Of.  Them.  Why?  Because professors are not stupid — we know you’re sending these out en masse , we don’t know whether you really have the chops to get a degree, and because we don’t make decisions like this because of e-mails.  I won’t deny that this tactic might work once in a blue moon,  but it’s been so played out that most profs’ eyes glaze over a these missives. 

2.  Detail, at length, your plans to change the world in your personal statement .  The personal statement in a doctoral admissions packet is the easiest way for a candidate to screw up — it’ll be almost as bad as your dissertation prospectus .  What admissions committees are looking for are signs of emotional and intellectual maturity matched with an ambition to do first-rate research.  They are not looking for "and then I realized" epiphanies about how getting a Ph.D. will allow you to change the world .   Backstory matters in explaining why you’re interested in doing what you’re doing, but don’t kid yourself — unless you’re a survivor of an ethnic cleansing, your personal narrative at 21 is just not that interesting.  Side note :  if you are the survivor of an ethnic cleansing, hey, go to town in your statement. 

3.  Put all your application eggs into one basket .  Let’s say you’ve done everything I’ve suggested.  Let’s say you’ve researched grad schools carefully, and have decided that, given you’re research interests, the only person you can work with is Robert Bates at Harvard.  Congratulations, you’ve gone overboard in specializing!!  Apply to good programs, not just to work with one person.  Individual professors move, retire, pass away, go on sabbatical,  or drink too much and hit on students and make things veeeeery awkward in the aftermath.  Diversify your portfolio and make sure you apply to programs with a deep bench in your area of interest. 

4.  Get celebrity professors to write you letters of recommendation .  Letters of recommendation matter a lot to this process, and I’ve noticed a trend among those-savvy-beyond-their-years to make sure they ingratiate themselves with well-known professors as a way of calling attention to one’s application.  I get this instinct, and done well it can work — a glowing letter from, say, Madeleine Albright or Zbigniew Brzezinski that indicates deep knowledge about you can be a game-changer.  Here’s the thing, though — 99% of the recommendation letters I read from people at this level of fame are bland, impersonal boilerplate.  That will hurt you.  So don’t bend your research interests to match a star professor — make sure that the profs who know your area well also know you well enough to write good letters of recommendation. 

5.  Take on debt .  Let’s say you work really hard and get accepted to a top tier program, but without the fellowship support that you need because — silly you! — you’re not rich.  You night start thinking, "sure, I’ll have to take on some debt, but it’s a great program and therefore worth it."  Wrong!  First of all, it’s not like you’re going to be raking in the bucks as a post-grad — even a small amount of debt can be financially debilitating.  Second, not getting a fellowship is a powerful signal of lukewarm interest on the part of the school, so you’d already be starting with a strike against you.  Unless you’re rich, only attend traditional Ph.D. programs that offer you full tuition and a stipend. 

Oh, and one bonus DON’T: 

5*. Talk up your blog or Twitter feed as an example of research . It isn’t research, and no one cares anyway.

Part II — what to do if you’ve been out of college for a while and want to apply to get a Ph.D. — will follow this week. 

Professors — am I missing anything? Any more advice to proffer?

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is the author of the newsletter Drezner’s World . Twitter:  @dandrezner

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Ph.D. Admissions

Apply here . 

Preparing to Apply

Before starting the application process please read the information about the graduate program requirements  and read our  Frequently Asked Questions . You may also find the Guide to Getting Into Grad School helpful. 

The Political Science department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

All questions regarding graduate admissions should be directed to politicalscience [at] stanford.edu (subject: Admissions%20Enquiry) ( politicalscience[at]stanford[dot]edu ) .

The principal goal of the Stanford Ph.D. program in political science is the training of scholars. Most students who receive doctorates in the program do research and teach at colleges or universities. We offer courses and research opportunities in a wide variety of fields in the discipline, including American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Political Methodology. The program is built around small seminars that analyze critically the literature of a field or focus on a research problem. These courses prepare students for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam requirement within a two-year period and for work on the doctoral dissertation.  

Admission to the graduate program in political science is highly selective. About twelve to fifteen students, chosen from a large pool of applicants, enter the program each year. The small size of our student body allows more individual work with members of the faculty than most graduate programs. It also makes possible financial assistance in one form or another to most students admitted to the Ph.D. program. 

Graduate Admissions FAQ

Please visit our list of  frequently asked questions.

You may also find the following links useful if you have general questions about student life and graduate study at Stanford University:  

Vice Provost of Graduate Education (VPGE)

• Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Handbook (GAP)
• Graduate Life Office
• Stanford Bulletin
• Explore Courses

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford. Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about KHS admission .

What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?

Political science is the study of politics, governance and power. A degree in this area can lead to a range of careers.

Options With a Political Science Degree?

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A political science degree is often a steppingstone to these positions, which are often in overseas charities and other private volunteer agencies.

Earning a degree in political science opens doors to jobs in both the public and private sectors, allowing graduates to use their knowledge, research abilities, and analytical and communication skills to collect and make sense of data in a range of jobs, from working with political campaigns to examining local, regional, national and global policies.

“One of the benefits of a political science degree is that it prepares students for a wide range of career paths. It’s not just one industry or sector,” says Michelle Allendoerfer, senior director of teaching and learning at the American Political Science Association in Washington, D.C. “The skills that are fostered in political science classes are transferable and reflect many of the skills that employers value, such as the ability to analyze an argument, evaluate claims, analyze data, communicate, problem-solve and work collaboratively.”

Allendoerfer and other experts in the field of political science say that data analysis – evaluating data, looking at its source and evaluating a claim based on the data – is emphasized in political science classes and is valuable to many types of employers.

Political science "has become more driven by data and it’s become more important for students of political science to know something about data analysis," says Robert Williams, a political science professor and dean of the social science division at Pepperdine University in California. "We have so much information these days that can be quantified, and so much of that is being used in political science. It’s become important for students to at least be able to read the studies based on quantitative analysis.”

Advantages of a Political Science Degree

Those who have studied political science have found that it helps them better understand events that happen in the world, experts say.

"If you care about those things," Williams says, "political science is a good major and it won’t steer you into something you don’t like because it’s taking this important stuff in the world and at the same time giving you research, analysis, writing and public speaking skills that are transferrable to anything you want to go into afterwards. It’s just a good all-purpose degree, particularly for those people who want to understand the world they live in.”

Political science majors, especially those who focused on U.S. politics, may pursue public-sector careers in politics or government agencies at all levels.

“Advocacy organizations, nonprofits, foundations and nongovernmental organizations offer opportunities for students interested in working on a specific issue or cause,” Allendoerfer says.

In the private sector, she adds, political science graduates can apply their skills in fields like consulting, data analytics, business and finance.

Careers in journalism, communications or opinion polling are also good fits for political science majors because of an emphasis on communication and writing in political science classes, says Donald P. Green, the Burgess professor of political science at Columbia University in New York.

“Students who focus on comparative politics or international relations might pursue careers in international affairs, either through the foreign service, international nongovernmental organizations or working abroad in a variety of ways,” Green says. “It gives undergraduates a broad-based exposure to world events and current issues.”

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science, some students go on to law school or graduate school to get an advanced degree. "Students that are particularly excited about research and are interested in a career in academia would go on to get a Ph.D. ," Allendoerfer says.

Many political science graduates, Green says, "go back to school to get master’s degrees in public administration or something that involves teaching people how to run things."

Potential Career Fields With a Political Science Degree

Here are some career sectors that people with a political science degree often choose.

Career opportunities in the legal profession are numerous. Although a number of majors can prepare someone for a legal career, political science is an especially appropriate background since law is an aspect of governments and the governing process.

Government Service and Politics

There are many career possibilities in government service, including elective office at local, state and national levels; positions on the staffs of elected officials; and staff positions with a political party.

Civil Service

There are many career possibilities in the civil service systems of national, state and local governments. Many political science majors who secure a civil service job do so in an executive or management training position. Such positions are often broad policy-making roles. Although an advanced degree isn't required for some of them, it's often beneficial to go to graduate school and obtain a master's degree in public administration.

Secondary Education

Some political science graduates obtain a secondary teaching credential and go on to careers teaching government or civics to junior high, high school or college students.

Political Science Research and Academia

An undergraduate major in political science can serve as a foundation to pursue graduate studies in political science leading to a Ph.D., which equips someone for a career as a professional political scientist. This could mean teaching and doing research at the college or university level, or obtaining a full-time research position with government or private agencies.

International Organizations

Opportunities for qualified employees with an interest in international organizations is growing, experts say. A political science degree is often a steppingstone to these positions, which are often in overseas charities and other private volunteer agencies, multinational businesses, international governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations and other international agencies.

Interest Groups and Associations

Lobbying by specific interest groups has grown significantly at both state and national levels in the U.S. since the 1960s. These groups range from traditional economic interest groups such as organized labor and business associations to groups centered around a commonality such as ethnicity, gender or sexual identity. A political science major is a natural for a position with such groups, experts say.

Covering community and political stories is a major part of a journalist's task, and political science can be an excellent background for a role in print or broadcast journalism, experts say. Those contemplating such a career should either double major in journalism or a related field, or plan to obtain a master's degree in journalism after completing a nonjournalism major.

A large number of political science graduates find work in the business sector in fields such as marketing, personnel, advertising and public or community relations. Others win management training positions with public and private corporations. 

U.S. workers who majored in political science earn an average annual salary of $52,859, with those in the top 10% making more than $115,000 yearly and those in the bottom 10% coming in at below $24,000 a year, according to Zippia, a California-based job search service. Type of job, geographic location and years of experience are among the factors that cause wage differences.

Graduates working as political scientists earned an average median salary of about $128,000 in 2022, with the best-paid 25% making about $163,300 and the lowest-paid 25% earning just over $89,800, according to the U.S. News Best Jobs rankings .

For college students considering a political science major, Green says it's a broad program that includes international relations, political philosophy, comparative politics and American politics. “Very often," he says, "students will be asked to take courses in statistics and expected to be a broad-ranging intellect who is interested in history."

Green tells his students to try to embrace the intellectual breadth of political science and find courses in history, economics and psychology – some of the main fields that political science touches on – to fulfill the vision of a liberal arts education.

“I think there is a tendency to specialize, and I think that’s a mistake,” he says. “In the world of careers, one could imagine working either in government or groups connected to government such as think tanks, interest groups and policy institutes. One can also imagine going into corporate or clearly delineated private sector roles, and law is often among them.”

Here are some common jobs where experts say a political science degree is a plus:

• Diplomat or foreign service officer
• Urban or regional planner
• Legislative assistant
• Political scientist
• Political science professor
• Political consultant
• Policy analyst
• Business executive
• Politics or government journalist
• Communications/public relations professional
• Public opinion researcher or pollster
• Nonprofit executive
• Nongovernmental organization executive

Although law remains a popular field for political science majors, Williams says, “law schools have become less concerned about admitting political science majors."

"Overall, I think there has been a lot of growth in the kind of careers that are open to political science majors,” Williams says. “I’ve had students who have gone into banking and investing and done very well because their political insights gave them something that the economics and finance majors they were working with just didn’t have.”

A political science degree opens the doors to many careers beyond politics, Williams adds.

“Whatever career path we choose, political science is going to prepare us for one of our central roles in life. It’s important for us to understand our rights and obligations within a political system because you can’t go anywhere without escaping duties as a citizen.” 

Careers With the Most Job Security

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Ph.D. Program

Candidates for a doctorate in Political Science will be expected to produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge in the discipline of Political Science, demonstrate mastery of subject material, participate in professional academic community activities and be able to teach the discipline at the undergraduate level.

To take a look at our program profile, visit our page here .

Degree requirements include (a) course work, (b) a primary (second year) paper, (c) the qualifying examination, (d) the Ph.D prospectus and (e) the Ph.D. dissertation.   All requirements for the doctorate should be completed within seven years (exceptions require a petition to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences). The sections that follow clarify what is involved in each of these requirements and provide a schedule for the completion of these requirements.

Please be aware that you must be registered as a student during any semester in which you complete any degree requirements. You must also be registered as a student during the semester prior to the one in which you defend your dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

• Produce and defend an original and significant contribution to knowledge in the discipline of Political Science
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material by developing a minimum level of competence in five of the six fields of Political Science (American Politics, Public Policy, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Methodology) and a high level of competence in two of these fields
• Participate in professional academic community activities, such as attending local seminar series, presenting papers at conferences, and submitting papers to academic journals
• Be able to teach the discipline at the undergraduate level

Course Requirements

Students are required to complete sixteen graduate-level courses. Students entering the Program from Boston University’s BA/MA Program or other BU MA programs will be able to transfer some of their 500-level, 700-level or 800-level courses. These students should schedule a meeting with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) to resolve this question upon arriving at Boston University.  Students from other universities that hold an M.A. may be exempt from specific requirements of the BU Ph.D. program (at the discretion of the DGS), but still need to take sixteen classes in total. Coursework completed outside of Boston University cannot apply to the 64 credits required for graduation.

• NOTE: In general, we do not recommend trying to waive required courses. Even if you have taken a similar course in a different graduate program, there is a benefit to getting to know the intellectual approach of our faculty, which will help prepare you for comprehensive exams—and, in the case of methods courses, get additional practice with an important technique. However, if you have taken a prior graduate course in another program that you feel is substantially similar to one of the required courses, you may petition the DGS for a waiver. Please provide a copy of the syllabus to the DGS, who will consult with relevant faculty members to assess whether the course will satisfy this requirement. Please note that even in the case that a required course is waived, the credits earned in that class will not count toward the 64 required for the degree.

Selection of these courses must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Political Science. Courses may be drawn from the offerings of this and related departments subject to the following requirements:

• A total of 64 units of credit must be completed to advance to candidacy.
• At least 56 units of credit (14 4-unit courses) must be fulfilled by graduate-level courses (500-,600-,700-, or 800-level) taken for a letter grade.
• 8 units of credit may be fulfilled by other courses (e.g. Research Workshop, Directed study, Professional Development, and Dissertation Workshop).
• Four core seminars must be completed in Year 1: PO 711 (American Politics), PO 771 (International Relations), PO 751 (Comparative Politics), and PO 791 (Political Theory).
• The Research Workshop must be taken in Years 2 and 3.  Students are strongly encouraged to continue taking this course in subsequent years so long as they are in the program and living in the Boston area.
• PO 841: Quantitative Research Methods
• PO 842: Qualitative Approaches to the Study of Political Science
• PO 843: Techniques in Political Analysis: Maximum Likelihood Estimation
• PO 844: Methods for Causal Inference
• The Professional Development course (currently offered every other year), must be completed–preferably in Year 2 or 3.  Students may choose to audit subsequent iterations of this course, as desired.
• Students are encouraged to take courses offered in related disciplines such as economics, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and history. Such course selections vary according to the student’s overall program and must be planned in consultation with the student’s advisor and the DGS.
• All requirements, except those imposed by GRS, may be waived by permission of the DGS.

Grades & Incompletes

In order to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and complete course work on time. Incomplete grades (“I” grades) may become permanent unless course work is completed within twelve months. On graduate transcripts, grades lower than B- are interpreted as failures. Students receiving more than eight credit hours of failing grades will be liable for termination by GRS.

Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations

In order to advance to candidacy (for the Ph.D.), a student must write a second year paper and take two timed exams. These are the three elements of the Qualifying Examination. Requirements for a terminal M.A. (without advancing to candidacy) may be met by either the two written exams or the master’s thesis.

As one element of the Qualifying Examination, students must submit the Second Year Paper, an independent research paper of high quality. Typically, this will involve a substantial revision, expansion, and polishing of a graduate seminar paper. A student who does not pass the Second Year Paper is required to submit a revision that incorporates feedback from the evaluating committee.

The other two elements of the Qualifying Examination consist of timed examinations taken in Year 3 of the Ph.D. program. Exams are scheduled once a year in September and will be offered at other times only in the case of a failed exam. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the graduate program coordinator and the examining faculty that they are planning on taking the exams at least one month in advance. Students should have contacted the examining faculty members well before this point to discuss how to prepare for the exams. Students may not take the timed examinations if they have any incompletes.

Timed examinations are given in two fields of the student’s choosing: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and methodology. Committees of three drawn from the Graduate Faculty of Political Science (GFPS) will be established by the DGS in each of the five fields. Each committee should include whoever teaches the core course in that field on a regular basis or has taught it recently.

Committees are charged with (a) constructing a single reading list for each exam, (b) revising that list periodically, (c) writing a single exam for each exam period, and (d) grading that set of exams, along with whatever second year papers fall into their field. Reading lists include material presented in core 700- and 800- level courses, though they need not be limited to that material. An online database including the current reading list along with old exams will be kept on Blackboard, by approval of the committee.

The standard time-limit for the exam will be 8 hours, i.e., 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. This time limit will be strictly enforced. If students do not hand in their exam at 5:00 it will be counted as a failed exam and they will need to re-take it.

Committees will determine whether the student (a) fails each exam (including the Second Year Paper), (b) passes at an M.A. level (setting in motion an exit from the program with a terminal masters), or (c) passes at a Ph.D. level (allowing for advancement to candidacy). Along with notification of the decision, the committee will give written feedback to the student pertaining to their performance on the exams and the Second Year Paper. Students who fail one or more elements of the qualifying examination are permitted to take that element(s) a second time, but not a third.

Prospectus Defense

Students are encouraged to defend their prospectus in Spring of Year 3. Work on the proposal can begin at any time. However, it cannot be submitted to GRS until all requirements for the Ph.D. — other than the dissertation itself — have been met.

Once a student has decided on a probable dissertation topic, they must assemble a committee of three faculty members (the first, second, and third readers) for the prospectus defense. The first reader must be a regular faculty member of the GFPS except under unusual circumstances (which must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies). It is the student’s responsibility to approach relevant faculty about the possibility that they might serve in one of these capacities. The student should write the first draft of the dissertation proposal in close consultation with the faculty member who agrees to serve as the first reader.

Students should check with the Director of Graduate Studies regarding the length and format of the prospectus. The main source of guidance in the completion of the proposal will come from the student’s advisor(s) who set the standards on content.

When the proposal is completed, the student should circulate copies to readers, and — working through the Graduate Program Coordinator — schedule a defense of the proposal. The defense committee, a minimum of three members, must include the faculty members who have been designated as first, second, and third readers. At least one committee member must be a tenured or tenure-track professor in the Graduate Faculty of Political Science and must ultimately serve as first, second, or third reader of the dissertation. (Other graduate students and faculty may attend, but not participate in, these defenses.)

The outcome of the defense, including any recommendations for change, will be forwarded to the Graduate Program Coordinator to be placed in the student’s file, and the appropriate Prospectus Approval form will be forwarded to the Graduate School for review.

In the event that a proposal is not approved at the defense, candidates are given the opportunity to schedule a second defense. Failure to receive approval for the dissertation proposal at the second defense, however, will lead to recommendation to the Graduate School for termination from the program.

The Dissertation Defense

A completed dissertation must be submitted for defense no more than five years after the completion of the Qualifying Examinations. Students are responsible for keeping faculty members informed of their progress in completing the dissertation and should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for information about graduation deadlines, the scheduling of the defense, the submission of the dissertation abstract, and the format of the dissertation. Please consult the Graduate School guidelines .

The defense committee is composed of four or more faculty members – typically the three readers who approved the prospectus plus one additional reader. Students are encouraged to select a fourth reader as early as possible in the dissertation-writing process; ideally, this person will also participate in the prospectus defense. At least half of the dissertation committee must be members of the Graduate Faculty of Political Science; this includes the first reader, except under unusual circumstances (which must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies).

In some cases, a student – with the first reader’s approval – may request that a faculty member from another university serve on the dissertation defense committee. If this is the case, the student should notify the Graduate Program Coordinator in advance and submit a copy of the individual’s curriculum vitae. Following departmental approval, the outside reader must also be approved by the Graduate School for Arts and Sciences. The department cannot be expected to cover the travel expenses of outside readers, but it is usually possible for them to participate remotely.

Prior to scheduling a defense of the dissertation, the student must submit an abstract describing the dissertation’s thesis, methods, and main findings. Since abstracts will be the principal means through which other scholars first make contact with the dissertation, it is important that the abstract provide as much concrete information as possible about the dissertation and present it in a fashion that is understandable to readers who may not be familiar with the approach or the focus of the dissertation. Abstracts must be approved by the first reader of the dissertation, the Director of Graduate Studies, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the Graduate School.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, using information provided by the candidate, will send an announcement of defense to each member of the committee, and will provide the chair of the committee with the necessary forms on which to report the results of the defense. After the defense, the chair will return the forms, with the necessary signatures, to the Political Science administrative offices. At this time, the necessary signatures will also be entered onto the signature page of the dissertation itself.

Timetable for Completing Ph.D. Requirements

The maximum time limit set by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is 7 years; extensions require a petition. Boston University fully funds students for 5 years. A typical breakdown of a student’s work schedule is as follows:

• Year 1: Complete 8 required courses
• Year 2: Complete 6 required courses + Research Workshop and/or Professional Development Course + Teaching Fellowship + Second Year Paper
• Year 3: Take 1 course, Complete the Comprehensive Exams + Research Workshop and/or Professional Development Course + Teaching Fellowship + Dissertation Prospectus
• Years 4 and 5: Complete and defend dissertation

The above schedule can be used as a rule-of-thumb to measure one’s progress. Students who find themselves more than six months “off schedule” should discuss their status with the Director of Graduate Studies.

Leaves of Absence

Students must register for each (Fall/Spring) semester until all degree requirements are completed. However, upon a written petition, and for appropriate cause, a student will be permitted a leave of absence for up to two semesters. Leaves of absence beyond two semesters are granted only in exceptional cases and require the approval of GRS (see the Graduate School Bulletin for details). Time spent on leave is counted as part of the time allowed for the completion of degree requirements.  Given these time constraints, students should work closely with their dissertation readers to devise an efficient schedule for research, writing and revision. A leave cannot be approved for the semester before the student defends their dissertation.

Graduate Program

Phd requirements.

The Political Science department at UC Berkeley admits students only for the Ph.D. degree. The Ph.D. program has two major phases: coursework and examinations, and dissertation research and writing. The two phases typically take approximately five or six years (three years to candidacy and two or three for dissertation research and writing).

The coursework and examination phase requires 40 units (typically 10 classes) of graduate-level coursework and competence in three of nine  Subfields . Subfield competence is demonstrated through written exams offered each semester. The Field Exams are typically taken in the student's second and third years of the program. All students must pass one exam in a major subfield (Comparative, American, International Relations, or History of Political Theory). Competency in a second and third subfield may be demonstrated by taking a prescribed series of courses in that field with a combined GPA of 3.5.

The particular sequence of courses that a student takes in preparation for the comprehensive exams is not prescribed. Rather, the faculty assist students with selection of courses that best meet their intellectual and academic interests. There are no formal foreign language or statistics requirements although many students will find that their program of study and dissertation research will require the engagement of particular foreign language or methodology coursework.

When the coursework and examination requirements have been met, the student prepares a prospectus for dissertation research. The student convenes a committee known as the Qualifying Exam (QE) committee. The Qualifying Exam committee advises on the prospectus and examines the student on specific research plans. Berkeley is highly committed to interdisciplinary scholarly engagement and this is codified in the requirement that both the Qualifying Exam committee and the dissertation committee include a faculty member from another department at Berkeley. Engagement with members of the faculty from other departments should commence during the coursework stage so that the advisement and input of the "outside member" is represented in the prospectus.

When sufficient preparation for the proposed research has been demonstrated to the Qualifying Exam committee, the student is advanced to doctoral candidacy. It is expected (and for most funding packages, required) that students advance to doctoral candidacy by the end of their third year.

Doctoral candidacy initiates the second phase of the program during which the student normally devotes full attention to the research and writing of the dissertation. The student's dissertation committee is typically comprised of the members of the Qualifying Exam committee although there are sometimes changes in committee membership as the research evolves. The doctorate is awarded when the student submits a satisfactory dissertation to the dissertation committee. A reasonable estimate of the research and writing phase of the program is approximately two to three years although students whose dissertations require more extensive research may take longer to earn their degree.

• Second year
• Sixth year and beyond

The second year is used to further narrow down one's interests and to continue exploring ideas and potential advisors for a dissertation topic. Coursework continues as students prepare for the M.A./Second Year Paper and Field Exam.

Students who plan to continue in the Ph.D. program are expected to engage in advanced topical research leading to a research paper to be completed by the end of the second year, together with any additional coursework appropriate to their topical focus. Three faculty members (one of whom is selected by the student and serves as principal advisor for the paper) will review this paper. This paper, which continuing students will submit at the end of their second year, also serves as the M.A. project.

Completion of a yearlong graduate seminar (Research & Writing 290A and 290B) during the second year is strongly recommended.  Each student taking this course is advised by a faculty advisor external to the course (who will also serve as one reviewer of the second-year paper) as well as the two co-instructors of the seminar. The goal of the seminar is to assist students in preparing a high-quality research paper, which will serve as the M.A./Second-year paper as mentioned above.

All students are reviewed at the end of the second year of study on their continued overall academic performance. This overall evaluation will include GPA, successful completion of all required units, and successful completion of the M.A./Second-year paper. The Graduate Studies Committee will take these factors as well as the rigor of the academic program and the number of incompletes into consideration when determining whether to invite the student to continue in the PhD program.

Students in their second year also usually serve as a Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs), which are 20-hour per week positions

During the third year, most students continue to teach as GSIs and complete their coursework in addition to taking their Field Exam. Political Science graduate students must show competency in three Subfield specialties to be eligible to sit for the oral prospectus defense (known formally as the Qualifying Exam). Instead of sitting for three Field Exams, students have the option to "course out" of two field specialties by taking a prescribed set of three-four courses in the Subfield.

Students may sit for the Field Exam as early as the beginning of the second year, but if desired, students may sit for an exam in their second year or in the third year. Field Exams are offered at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. All students are expected to have completed their Field Exam, to have “coursed out” of a two fields, and to have written and defended their dissertation prospectus (passed their Qualifying Exam) by the end of the third year. It is highly recommended (and essential to most funding packages) that students advance to Doctoral Candidacy by the end of the third year. The third year is also when students should begin to apply for extramural fellowships to support their dissertation research.

Is a Political Science Degree Worth It? [2024 Guide]

Is a political science degree worth it? If you’re fascinated by the workings of government, politics, justice, ethics, or public policy, then you may consider studying the field of political science.

A bachelors in political science is versatile and may lead you to careers both inside and outside of government and politics.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

As a political science major, you’ll have the opportunity to develop skills in research, data analysis, writing, and communication.

Is a Political Science Degree Worth It?

Yes, a political science degree is worth it for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 5% job growth in life, physical, and social science occupations over the next 10 years.

Common poli sci careers in this field include political scientist, lawyer, lobbyist, market research analyst, campaign manager, and public relations and fundraising manager. A bachelors degree in political science may serve as a stepping stone to professional careers that require graduate degrees.

Some careers that require graduate studies include lawyer, political scientist, and historian. You may start with a bachelor’s degree in political science and go on to earn a masters or doctoral degree that can provide credentials for high-level employment.

The knowledge and skills that you acquire in your bachelor’s degree program may translate to multiple careers in both public and private organizations.

For example, an online political science degree may lead you to a career as a market research analyst in various industries. It may also open doors to a fundraising job for a political party or a philanthropic, nonprofit agency.

How to Decide Whether a Degree in Political Science is Right for You

Choosing a college major is not always a straightforward decision. Here are 3 different factors that may help you decide whether a political science degree could be a good fit for you.

1. You have a keen interest in government and politics.

Perhaps you’re fascinated by politics and the workings of government. You may be curious and want to learn more about how governments operate and how public policy affects the lives of all citizens.

Maybe you have an ambition to be a part of the world of government, politics, legislation, and the making of public policy. If any of these topics appeal to you, then you may consider a poli sci major.

2. You’re fascinated by global affairs and how governments of different countries interact.

In a political science degree program, you may focus on international relations as well as domestic government and politics.

You may pursue a diplomatic career, or you may work for a non-government organization (NGO) that brings aid to people around the world.

3. You want to lay the groundwork for law school or graduate studies.

As you pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science, you may increase your abilities in research, writing, speaking, communicating, and critical thinking. These skills may assist you in your pursuits of graduate studies or law school.

To be a lawyer, political scientist, historian, or economist, you will need to pursue advanced degrees. A bachelor’s degree in political science can be a strategic first step for these careers.

5 Things You Can Do with a Political Science Degree

Before you launch your college career as a political science major, you may be wondering what you can do with a political science degree . Here are 5 occupational areas where you may find rewarding careers with a political science degree.

1. Public Relations Specialist

You may work in public relations to measure and influence the favorable public perception of an organization or political party.

You may write press releases and speeches and communicate with the public through social media and other media platforms. You may evaluate advertising and promotional efforts to determine the direction of an effort to sway public opinion in favor of an issue or political cause.

2. Campaign Staffer or Manager

You may work for the political campaign of a candidate for public office. You may plan and direct the communication efforts that will promote a positive public image of the candidate.

You may organize events and promotional efforts across multiple media platforms to secure donations that finance the candidate’s campaign.

3. Lawyer or Legal Assistant

For many political science majors, the bachelor’s degree is a first step toward law school, where you may complete a doctoral degree and prepare for the bar exam.

At the bachelor’s degree level, you might step into a job as a legislative or legal assistant. You may assist lawyers by conducting research, gathering correspondence and documents, summarizing reports, and filing documents with the court.

4. Market Research Analyst

As a poli sci major, you may develop skills in performing research, collecting data, and using statistical software to crunch the numbers and arrive at conclusions.

These skills may translate well to a career in market research analysis. Most industries and organizations employ market researchers to gather and analyze data that will forecast marketing trends and measure the effectiveness of promotional campaigns.

5. High School Teacher

With a bachelor’s degree in political science, you may qualify to teach civics, economics, or government on the high school level.

To teach in a public school, you will likely be required to add the necessary coursework and internship experience to earn licensure or certification for teaching in your state. Many colleges offer post-baccalaureate programs that allow you to earn the appropriate requirements for teaching certification.

Political Science Degree Alternatives

Depending on your specific interests and career goals, you might also consider these other degrees related to political science.

• Bachelor’s in Public Administration and Policy . This degree can help you develop leadership skills and an understanding of public policy. You may pursue a career in government or nonprofit organizations.
• Bachelor’s in International Relations . If you want to be directly involved in solving socio-economic problems on a global scale, then this degree may prepare you for work in public, private, or governmental organizations around the world.
• Bachelor’s in Economics . Like political science, economics is a social science. In this degree, you would study the science of wealth distribution based on systems of producing, selling, and buying goods.

These are only 3 of many alternatives to a political science degree. Your personal interests and career ambitions may guide you to your ultimate choice.

Political Science Careers & Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , you may pursue the following jobs with a degree in political science.

A bachelor’s degree in political science may be a first step toward a higher-level career that requires a masters degree or doctorate. Your political science salary may vary depending on your degree and experience.

Is Political Science a Good Major?

If you have ambitions to become a lawyer, political campaign manager, fundraiser, teacher, or news broadcaster, then political science may be a good major for you to consider.

As a political science graduate, you may work in a broad array of government and non-government jobs in industries, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. Political science careers are projected to have positive job growth, and median political science salaries are above average.

What Are the Best Jobs for Political Science Majors Right Out of College?

While it’s true that a bachelor’s in political science can be a stepping stone to law school or graduate school, you can also earn a living right out of college with your bachelors degree. If you’re interested in politics or law, you may work as a legislative assistant, legal assistant, lobbyist, or fundraiser with your bachelor’s degree.

You may also work as a reporter, news correspondent, or broadcast news analyst. Corporations and industries often hire market research analysts with bachelor’s degrees in political science, too.

How Much Do Political Science Majors Make?

Median annual salaries for political science careers range from $49,000 to $126,000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Some of the higher-earning careers may require a masters in political science online or a doctoral degree, depending on the position.

For example, the median salary for a political scientist is $125,350, but the entry-level degree for this position is a masters. With a bachelor’s degree, you might land a job as a legislative assistant. The average salary for this position is $52,920 .

What Jobs Can I Get with a Political Science Degree?

With a political science degree, you may qualify for jobs in government, international relations, foreign policy, or non-government organizations (NGOs).

This degree opens up a wide range of job possibilities in both public and private sectors. For example, you may work as a market research analyst for a profitable corporation or as a lobbyist for a nonprofit organization.

Completing your bachelor’s degree may also pave the way for law school or graduate school. A master’s or doctoral degree may help you qualify for a career as an attorney, political scientist, economist, historian, and more.

Should I Major in Political Science?

You might enjoy a career in political science if you’re interested in government, public policy, international relations, law, ethics, or related topics. A political science career may help you to have a wide-ranging, positive impact on others.

A major in political science may help you build skills in research, critical thinking, and communication. As a political science graduate, you may pursue work as a lobbyist, fundraiser, political scientist, historian, broadcast news analyst, or attorney. These are only a few of the many career options for political science majors.

Is Political Science a Hard Major?

Political science is a social science, so the degree program does not require upper-level math or science courses like an IT or engineering program would. This major relies on reading, research, critical thinking, logic, writing, and effective communication skills.

In a political science degree program, you may take courses in government, American politics, research methods, political theory, and domestic and international policy. Through your coursework, you may develop skills as a writer, speaker, researcher, and critical thinker.

What’s the Difference Between a Degree in Public Policy vs. Political Science?

The study of public policy focuses on how and why policy decisions are made and applied in the interest of society. It covers how public policies are administered and how public resources are allocated and distributed.

A degree in public policy may qualify you for a career in public administration, where you may implement policies and manage public programs.

Political science is a broader discipline that covers the workings of government and politics on local, state, national, and international levels. Courses in this degree program cover a broad array of topics related to domestic and global politics and government.

What’s the Difference Between a Degree in Political Science vs. International Relations?

In broad terms, the study of political science involves examining governmental and political systems to understand their impact on society. Political scientists gather and analyze data to determine political trends. This degree can be beneficial if you’re interested in politics or a future career in government or law.

By comparison, the study of international relations focuses on global issues that impact societies around the world. These issues include human rights, international trade policies, and immigration. You may consider this degree if you’re interested in diplomacy, international security, or other careers that require a global perspective.

What’s the Difference Between a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science vs. a Bachelor of Science in Political Science?

Many colleges and universities offer a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science as well as a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. In general, the BA degree programs focus more on humanities and communications while BS programs focus more on math, science, and quantitative skills for public economy and policy.

If you excel in research, writing, debate, and public speaking, you may want to pursue a BA in Political Science. If you’re more interested in the economic aspects of government and are proficient in math and science, then a BS may be a good fit for you.

Getting Your Political Science Degree Online

You may consider pursuing an online degree in political science if you’re interested in topics related to government, politics, or public policy. Many colleges and universities offer accredited online political science degree programs.

With online learning, you may get the same professors and quality of instruction as on-campus students without the extra expense and inconvenience of commuting to campus or moving to a new location.

A bachelors in political science may lead to a range of careers both inside and outside of government and politics. If you’re interested in this field, you may want to explore accredited online bachelors degree programs to find the one that best fits your current schedule and your future career goals.

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Is a Political Science Degree Worth It?

Reviewed by Jacob Imm

Apr 06, 2021

Politics influence nearly every facet of daily life—but is that enough reason to make them the focus of your  undergraduate degree?

If you want to major in political science, you’ll need to come up with an answer to that question.. With this bachelor’s degree, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the political landscape and how our current system has been shaped by the nation’s history.

If you’re wondering, ”Is a political science degree worth it?”, the answer depends on whether  you have an interest in law, diplomacy, legislation, activism, and/or r the justice system, and if you like the career opportunities a political science degree can offer. Let’s take a closer look at this major to help make up your mind.

What is a Political Science Degree?

Political science is a social science major. Beyond modern politics, poli-sci majors will complete courses, internships, and projects across a number of subjects, including:

• United States History
• World History
• Political Theory
• Political Strategy
• Foreign Policy
• U.S. and International Law
• Branches of Government

Students may be surprised by the number of topics covered in a political science degree . This ensures that poli-sci graduates have a thorough understanding of the world around them and are trained to pursue a variety of different careers not just limited to politics.

However, before considering post-graduate jobs, it’s important to understand what a political science major will entail .

What is the Coursework for a Political Science Major?

Political science courses vary by institution. At North Central College for example, the political science curriculum is diverse with an emphasis on practical applications. To earn a poli-sci undergraduate degree, a student will complete a minimum of 32 core credits in classes like:

• Civic Well-Being – This course covers how the different levels of government function in the United States, as well as how citizens participate in the democratic process.
• The American Political System – This introductory course focuses on the fundamentals of U.S. politics, including policies, biases and structure.
• Introduction to Internal Relations – Throughout this course, students will study the ideologies, theories and conflicts related to political relations in the United States. Lectures and reading will delve into specific political perspectives, such as liberalism, Marxism, and feminism.

Someone considering a degree in political science can also earn credits through a number of unique electives, including:

• Congress: The Least Popular Branch
• Women in American Politics
• Model United Nations
• Law, Politics, and Society
• Research Practicum (a collaboration with faculty members on active research projects)
• Relevant internships with local governments, political campaigns, and congressional staffers

A student may also consider a minor in political science while earning their major in another discipline. To earn your minor in political science at North Central, for example, you’ll need to complete a minimum of 20 credit hours in core poli-sci classes, 12 elective credits, and at least four credit hours in advanced-level political courses.

What Are the Benefits of a Political Science Degree?

Pursuing a political science major will allow students to build skills that are pertinent to political work as well as expertise than can apply to numerous other fields.

Just a few of the skills political science majors will master include:

• Public speaking
• Analytical writing

What Careers Require a Political Science Degree?

What can you do with a political science degree? Beyond becoming a politician, a political science graduate can find employment in the following fields:

• Foreign Diplomacy
• Public Relations
• International Business
• Political Consulting
• Government Administration

Successful individuals who earned poli-sci degrees, but went on to pursue non-government careers, include:

• Rachel Maddow
• Anderson Cooper
• George Stephanopolous

A political science graduate is well-equipped not only to work in a number of fields, but to continue their education further through graduate degree programs, such as law school, an MBA, or a Ph.D.

Do You Need a Political Science Degree to Work in Government?

Although a political science degree is not required for government work, it certainly helps. Earning a bachelor’s degree in this field will lend students valuable resources, including internships and networking opportunities that can advance their careers in government.

The history and theories taught in political science classes help equip future politicians for their positions, particularly within the democratic process and international relations. Politicians often double major, or go on to earn advanced degrees in addition to their political science majors. These fields include history, law, and economics.

Some of America’s most notable politicians earned their undergraduate degrees in political science , including:

• Barack Obama
• Nancy Pelosi

Political Science Can Take You Places

No matter what path you choose, a political science degree from a quality program like the one at North Central College can help advance your professional career. The North Central political science degree program’s extensive curriculum covers all the bases, from public policy to modern foreign policy.

In addition, internships and research opportunities give students a leg up in the professional world, even before graduation. At North Central, the faculty is committed to teaching the next generation of leaders, authors, and educators everything they need to know about politics and becoming a political scientist

If you’re ready to join the next generation of leadership, check out North Central College’s political science program today.

Looking for more information regarding a political science major? Check out our blog discussing, “ Is political science a BA or BS? ”

Jacob Imm is a communications specialist in the North Central College Office of Marketing and Communications. He has 10 years of collegiate communications experience and has worked with hundreds of college students. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University.

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What Can You Do with a Political Science Degree?

In today’s political climate, it is nearly impossible to go a day without reading the news and considering how politics impact our present and future. If this piques your interest, political science programs can provide a deeper understanding of how leaders obtain and maintain power, how social movements originate and gain momentum and how governments and other institutions can operate efficiently and transparently.

These programs also help to explain why voters may prefer one political candidate over another and empower students to make informed predictions about the outcomes of democratic elections. But what can you do with a political science degree in your career?

A degree in political science can open up many career paths. It can help you start a career in politics, policy-making, nonprofit organizations, business, media or education. Political science is also a popular choice for undergraduate students who plan to go to law school. Keep reading to learn more about the degree and potential career paths.

What is political science?

What can you do with a political science degree.

• Specializations in political science

Make an impact with your political science degree

Politics and international affairs major at furman.

Political science studies politics, government, and people’s behavior in the political arena. Students majoring in political science study political theory, exploring fundamental concepts behind political systems and comparative politics, examining different political systems and their institutions. They study international relations, covering global politics and diplomacy, as well as American politics, to understand the workings of the US government. 

Earning a degree in political science often involves learning highly marketable quantitative skills related to data analysis and statistics. This field covers ethics, justice and democracy, examines government systems and political behavior and applies theory to current events, including critical political issues for college-aged students like student loan forgiveness, racial equity and climate change. 

Students can also study public policy, political behavior and research methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of the political world and its complexities as political science is increasingly becoming more data-driven. 

Politics plays a significant role in almost every aspect of our lives, such as education, housing, healthcare and international relations. Studying political science can provide a comprehensive understanding of the process of creating laws, including the differences in government structures across various nations. You will also gain insights into the development of public policies and how they impact the social and economic conditions of individuals. 

A major in political science can help you gain skills in research, communication and data analysis can be applied in various fields, both in the public and private sectors.

Politics and International Affairs Major

You can study the equivalent of political science at Furman to become knowledgeable global citizens through our Politics & International Affairs degree. By learning about political systems and cultures, we sharpen our communication, critical thinking and analysis skills. This helps us tackle political, social and economic problems.

Political science majors have many job opportunities in public, private and nonprofit sectors. Some work directly in politics and policy, while others use their skills in various careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for political scientists are expected to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2032 , which is faster than average. Here are a few different fields to consider:

Government and public administration

• Public policy analyst. When studying the process of generating public policy, political science majors must have strong skills in critical thinking, writing and research to craft clear statements about the nature and impact of proposals for public policy. Policy analysts create a strong thesis and develop persuasive arguments for or against a particular policy initiative. Analysts use their knowledge of the political and legislative process to enlist the support of individuals who can help advance initiatives.
• Government official. Political science graduates can start their journey to becoming government officials at the local level, such as city council, and then advance to state or federal government positions, including becoming a senator. These roles involve public service, legislation and representing constituents. Political science graduates know how to navigate government complexities to create change in their communities. Internships, campaigns and civil service experience are essential stepping stones to impactful political roles.

International relations

• Diplomat. Diplomats promote their nation’s goals and maintain peaceful relations with other countries. Political science graduates with a strong foundation in international relations can excel in diplomacy. They start as foreign service officers and may become ambassadors, working on complex diplomatic issues to contribute to peaceful international relations. As ambassadors, they serve as key liaisons between their home country and the international community. 
• International non-governmental organization (NGO) worker. NGOs cover various causes such as human rights, environment, health and education. Political science graduates can work for NGOs to advocate for change, manage programs and mobilize resources to tackle global challenges. It is an opportunity to influence policy and collaborate with stakeholders while championing their causes.

Law and legal field

• Lawyer. Political science students can become constitutional lawyers by completing law school. Lawyers interpret and apply principles outlined in a country’s constitution to work on cases involving constitutional issues, civil rights and public policy. These lawyers ensure laws and government actions adhere to the constitution, protecting individual liberties and upholding the foundations of our society.
• Legal consultant. Legal consultants guide clients through complex legal matters and ensure compliance with regulations. Political science graduates provide strategic legal solutions, manage risk and contribute to client success and integrity within corporations or government agencies.

Media and journalism

• Political journalist. Political science graduates have a deep understanding of politics and government structures. They can work in journalism, delivering news and analysis that helps the public understand and engage with political issues. Political journalists are crucial in informing and educating the public, holding those in power accountable and shaping public discourse on important societal matters.
• Political analyst. Political analysts are experts in political systems, research and data analysis. They offer insightful commentary on complex issues, appearing on news programs, writing op-eds or participating in panel discussions. Their role is crucial in helping the public and policymakers make sense of current events, enriching public debates and decision-making.

Did you know?

Furman University has a rich history of producing graduates who excel in fields such as law, public policy, nonprofits and government. The Riley Institute , named after Richard W. Riley, former Secretary of Education under President Bill Clinton, was founded in 1999 at Furman University. Riley himself graduated from Furman in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Additionally, the Trone Student Center is named after David Trone ’77, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. If you want to learn more about Furman, we invite you to fill out the form below or schedule a visit today.

Further specializations in political science

What else can you do with your political science degree? Political campaign strategy, public relations and lobbying share the goal of influencing public opinion and decision-making. They involve persuasion, communication and advocacy in politics. These professions rely on well-crafted messages, targeted outreach and relationships with key stakeholders to achieve their objectives. These career paths are interconnected in shaping the political landscape.

• Campaign manager. Campaign managers plan and execute political campaigns, coordinate teams, set objectives, craft messaging strategies, manage resources and oversee operations. Political science graduates have a deep understanding of political dynamics, communication and data analysis, making them well-equipped to navigate the complex world of campaign management and ensure success.
• Political consultant. Political consultants advise candidates on campaign strategies, public relations, messaging and voter outreach. With a strong foundation in political theory and analysis, political science students can become trusted advisors to political figures, helping them navigate the complexities of the political landscape.
• Public relations specialist. Political science students can become public relations specialists by leveraging their expertise in politics, government and communication. Public relations specialists shape the public image of politicians, organizations or campaigns, crafting compelling narratives, managing media relations and developing strategies to maintain a positive reputation. Political science graduates understand political dynamics and policy issues and are well-suited to manage crises and build solid and influential relationships with the public and media.
• Lobbyists. Lobbyists influence government decisions by building relationships, researching legislation and advocating for their clients. Lobbyists excel at communication and strategy, playing a crucial role in shaping public policies and ensuring diverse perspectives are heard in government.

In today’s world, characterized by complex political challenges and global interdependence, the study of political science plays a vital role in shaping policies and institutions that influence societies on a local, national and international scale. It offers many diverse and socially significant career opportunities, allowing graduates to pursue roles in government, diplomacy, policy analysis, advocacy and international relations. 

Studying political science offers numerous benefits. Not only will you have the opportunity to think critically about important and complex topics, but this degree program is versatile and offers a range of job opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. From consulting to business, finance to journalism, advocacy law, non-profits to government and international affairs to academic research, the possibilities are endless. 

If you’re passionate about uncovering the inner workings of government, policy and law, then political science is the perfect major for you.

The Furman Politics and International Affairs department provides students with the opportunity to explore the realms of local, national, and international politics in both theory and practice. The courses, led by experienced faculty members, cover a range of subjects, including public law, Congress, political philosophy and the politics of China.

The small class size allows for better debates, hands-on learning and opportunities to connect with others through Furman’s award-winning Mock Trial program. Additionally, students can participate in national and international internships through faculty-led programs.

The perspectives and thoughts shared in the Furman Blog belong solely to the author and may not align with the official stance or policies of Furman University. All referenced sources were accurate as of the date of publication.

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Sunshine hillygus earns recognition for research in political polarization and social media, may 7, 2024.

Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Sunshine Hillygus is one of twenty-eight scholars in the 2024 Class of Andrew Carnegie Fellows, the Carnegie Corporation of New York announced today. The associated $200,000 stipend will support her research that seeks to understand how and why American society has become so polarized and how to support healthy democratic discourse.  

Carnegie’s choice this year to focus on political polarization attracted more than 360 applications, which they report is a record high for the program. “This year marks the first time the jury was asked to assess proposals addressing a single topic — the pervasive issue of political polarization as characterized by threats to free speech, the decline of civil discourse, disagreement over basic facts, and a lack of mutual understanding and collaboration,” said John J. DeGioia, chair of the jury and president of Georgetown University.  

Hillygus’ winning project proposal is titled, “Redesigning Social Media to Reduce Partisan Animosity.” 

“As a Carnegie Fellow, I will study how social media platforms amplify misleading characterizations of public opinion—especially misperceptions about the other party,” Hillygus wrote. “Understanding how social media contribute to partisan misperceptions is critical to identifying evidence-based reforms and regulation of current platforms, developing new platforms that promote social cohesion, and informing journalists, pollsters, and policymakers how best to navigate today’s information environment.” 

Hillygus has published widely on the topics of American political behavior, campaigns and elections, survey methods, public opinion, and information technology and politics. She is co-author of Making Young Voters: Converting Civic Attitudes into Civic Action , her most recent book. And she is director of the Duke Initiative on Survey Methodology and co-director of the Polarization Lab . 

Recently, Hillygus developed a new research tool called the “Social Media Accelerator” with her co-founders of the Polarization Lab, Professor of Sociology Christopher Bail and Associate Professor of Statistical Science Alexander Volfovsky . The accelerator mimics a social media platform and allows researchers to control and vary features to create a more realistic test environment. Through the Carnegie Fellowship, Hillygus plans to conduct a series of experiments to discover people’s estimates of polarization levels when new conflicting information is introduced. 

This project will draw on various disciplines including political science, communications, sociology and psychology. “It marries two disparate literatures,” Hillygus wrote, “research on the role of social media in political polarization and research on media and polling, with the goal of broadening and deepening theoretical insights about the way the public evaluates empirical evidence encountered on social media.” 

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Graduate funding opportunities.

There are multiple funding opportunities available to graduate students in the Department of Political Science, detailed below. Please contact the Graduate Chair, Dr. Ingrid Haas , with questions.

Graduate Teaching Assistant positions

All Ph.D. applicants are considered for GTA positions at the time of application. GTA positions come with a stipend (currently $18,036 for the academic year), tuition remission, and subsidized health insurance. Students have the opportunity to serve as TA for faculty and/or teach their own independent courses. We do not currently have GTA positions available for MA students in the department. International students may be required to complete the Institute for International Teaching Assistants (ITA) at UNL prior to being assigned to a teaching position.

Graduate Research Assistant positions

Some of our students are funded as Graduate Research Assistants, typically by faculty research grants. These opportunities are available on an ad hoc basis depending on faculty funding.

Graduate Fellowships

At the time of application, we also consider eligible M.A. and Ph.D. students for available fellowships from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS). No additional application is needed. This typically includes Othmer Fellowships (PhD students), CAS Dean's Fellowships (PhD students), and Edgren Tuition Fellowships (MA students). More information on the OGS Fellowships is available at: https://graduate.unl.edu/funding/fellowships

Current graduate students may also be eligible for other Graduate Fellowships from OGS, also detailed here: https://graduate.unl.edu/funding/fellowships . Students must be nominated for these by the faculty, so current students are encouraged to discuss these with their PhD advisor and/or the Graduate Chair.

Conference Travel Funding

The department typically supports some conference travel for graduate students. Students can apply for departmental travel awards through the Graduate Chair. Other travel awards are available from OGS: https://graduate.unl.edu/funding/travel-awards and through the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA): https://www.unl.edu/gsa/graduate-travel-awards-program-gtap

Summer Research Fellowships

The department also supports student research in summer months through Summer Research Fellowships. Applications for these awards are typically accepted in Spring Semester and reviewed by the Graduate Committee. Typical awards are around $2000.

Summer Teaching Opportunities

Ph.D. students who have completed a M.A. degree are eligible to apply for summer teaching opportunities in the department. The Graduate Chair takes applications for these positions during Spring Semester.

For additional information:

UNL Tuition and Fees: https://studentaccounts.unl.edu/tuition-fees

UNL Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid: https://financialaid.unl.edu/

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OGS Application Fee Waivers: https://graduate.unl.edu/admissions/requirements#appfee

The Department of Political Science

Phd and undergraduate students win chloe center grants and awards.

On May 2, 2024, the Chloe Center for the Critical Study of Racism, Immigration, and Colonialism awarded two PhD students and two undergraduate students in the Political Science Department for their reserach and achievement.

• Ph.D. Candidate Sheharyar Imran was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student Achievement Award for his contributions and achevements in the goals and values to the Chloe Center.
• Ph.D. Student Ga Eun Cho won a Graduate Research and Travel Grant for her research project titled “ To Make Leave or Let Stay : Mass Emigration and Development in South Korea.”
• Undergraduate Student Emma Petite was awarded the Undergraduate Research Excellence Award for her research.
• Undergraduate Student Angela Tracey won an Undergraduate Summer Reserach Award for her project titled “Filipino Diaspora: Unraveling Colonial Legacies and Military-Industrial Dynamics”

Congratulations, Sheharyar, Ga Eun, Emma, and Angela!

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Keeping the Republic Conference

Time: Wed May 8, 2024, All Day

Location: University of Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Keeping the Republic Conference brings together a group of both prominent senior researchers and early-career scholars dedicated to a broad revitalization of American democracy—not just in the sense of self-government—but rather as a societal commitment to the equal dignity and inclusion of each person and social institutions that encourage broad and open participation. This conference creates an interdisciplinary community of scholars devoted to studying and advancing the democratization of American culture and institutions across political, legal, civic, commercial, social, religious, and educational life.

This conference is not open to the public and is by invitation only.

Originally published at rooneycenter.nd.edu .