Interested in government and politics? Political science majors study how governments operate, and prepare for careers in law, lobbying, nonprofit work, and more.
Students interested in one day running for public office usually consider majoring in political science. However, a major in political science can also assist students who are considering careers with the nonprofit sector and the private sector both within and outside of the United States.
What is a political science major? Political Science involves the study of governments and how they operate. Students considering majoring in this field can expect to learn about the origins of government, how different governments are structured, how politicians interact with government and non-government officials, how outside actors can affect the political process, and how different global conditions and circumstances can affect the decisions governments make.
What kinds of classes are political science majors required to take? Political Science majors are usually expected to take a wide variety of classes which focus on political theory, the structure and workings of the U.S. government, and international governments. Furthermore, students will usually also be expected to complete internships which help them gain a deeper understanding of a specified subject.
Advantages and disadvantages of a political science major? Political science is often considered a major only for students interested in going to law school or considering running for public office one day. Furthermore, many people believe that if they major in political science their career options will be limited or they will be forced to obtain master's or doctoral degrees. However, this is not the case. People with majors in political science have obtained jobs outside of the government after graduation without having to have continued their education and they have gone into a wide variety of different fields.
What careers are available to political science majors? Students who obtain political science majors are obtaining a liberal arts degree that will prepare them for a large number of jobs including positions with nonprofit organizations, lobbying firms, consulting firms, research organizations, polling companies, etc.
Next: Read about other college majors such as sociology and communication, or read about the Generation Y college student.
