Political Science Major – Degree

A political science degree can lead to all sorts of careers in both the private and public sectors, from attorney to lobbyist to FBI agent to journalist and beyond. Most positions are attainable with a bachelor's degree in political science, although some do require a graduate degree even at the entry level. Before deciding on a major in political science, determine your strengths. Can you adapt well to different types of situations and social groups? Are your communication skills excellent? Is mathematics one of your strengths? Can you make decisions easily? Do you have good judgment? Are you good with computers? Can you organize, analyze and collect data effectively? All of these skills are necessary in the study of political science.

Degree Level

Depending upon the college or university you choose, an undergraduate political science degree can be a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science or a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Most schools require that students take a minimum number of courses in their major, usually from 30 to 45 credits. Some schools also have different concentrations or emphasis that you can take along with a political science major. Examples would be a concentration in political economy, pre-law, political policy or international relations. Your ultimate career goal would determine which concentration, if any, you choose.

Basic framework courses that make up the backbone of any college political science curriculum vary little from one school to the next. Most programs require that students take any or all of the following: introduction to American government, structure and function of American government, American government theory, contemporary issues in American politics, major foreign governments, state governments, international politics, theories of democracy and political parties.

Internships

In addition to classroom coursework, many political science majors are required to complete some sort of internship or field practicum as part of their degree program. Depending upon your school, this may range in length from one semester to one year. Examples of possible field placements for political science majors include local, national or federal governmental organizations and agencies, political election campaigns, and law offices. Undergraduate political science degrees open the doors to many types of careers, both in what one would traditionally think of as the political science arena and outside of it. Some of these include politics, governmental agencies at all levels (federal, state and local), public administration, business, teaching, research, and writing.

Earning a master's degree in political science usually involves taking approximately 30 more college credits beyond a bachelor's degree. These courses are generally at a more advanced level than those found in an undergraduate political science program. Graduate degree holders in political science will find that other career opportunities exist, such as teaching at the college level, public policy analysis, lobbyist, and legislative assistant. If you choose to get a Ph.D. in political science, your main career path will most likely be as a college professor.

Regardless of the type of political science degree you earn, the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a bright future. According to the BLS, political science graduates will have greater than average employment opportunities through the year 2018, with a growth in the number of available jobs of approximately 19 percent from 2008 to 2018. The BLS also reports that in May 2010, the median annual wage of a political science was $107,420, with earnings from $71,800 to $136,770 commonly seen.

Political Science Degrees

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