Immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful campus towns and pursue OHIO’s linguistics degrees at our residential campus in Athens — home to world-class faculty who are award-winning teachers and researchers at the top of their fields!
Political Science Undergraduate Degrees
Take a Stand, Make a Point, Be a Leader with a Political Science Major
Political Science is one of the most popular majors in the College of Arts & Sciences. The Political Science major is excellent preparation for careers in law, public service, foreign service, business, and education. Our award-winning faculty provide high-quality instruction for students across all stages of their education, from introductory courses to capstone experiences.
Imagine interning in Washington, D.C. and attending hearings on health care reform or immigration reform, or interning on a political campaign. Imagine arguing a case in a real courtroom before a local judge and competing with the Mock Trial Team. Imagine talking about foreign affairs with other students as a delegate to a national conference.
Opportunities to participate and impact the issues you care about in your community and across the world — it's what we do in Political Science.
Choose What You Want to Learn
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Political Science Major B.A.Students who choose to major in Political Science are curious about power and influence—who has it and why. They want to know more about how governments work and why, sometimes, they don't.
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Political Science Pre-Law Major B.A.Our emphasis on the nature and role of law in our public lives, and expressing your thoughts clearly on these matters makes a degree in Political Science an excellent gateway to the study of law.
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Honors Tutorial College Political Science MajorThe Honors Tutorial College offers a B.A. in Political Science that provides unique opportunities for exceptional students, including the tutorial in which you study selected material under the guidance of a faculty member.
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Political Science MinorThe Political Science minor empowers students to meet their responsibilities as citizens, leaders, and professional political scientists in a democratic society and interdependent world.
Choose Where You Want to Learn
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Athens, OH, Residential Campus
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Regional Campuses
If you want to start studying for a social science degree like political science at one of our regional campuses, you can apply to an µÛÍõ»áËù regional campus under the within the College of Arts and Sciences.
Popular Certificates for Political Science Students
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Environmental Studies Sustainability and Resilience CertificateThe Environmental Studies Sustainability and Resilience Certificate is an opportunity for students to earn recognition for taking a cross-section of environmentally themed courses from a variety of disciplines.
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International Studies CertificatesChoose from African Studies, Diversity Studies, East Asian Studies, European Studies, Global Leadership, Latin American Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, and War & Peace Studies.
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Islamic Studies CertificateThe Islamic Studies Certificate provides knowledge of the Islamic religion and the diverse cultures and societies it has influenced, with a framework that integrates the study of Islam and Muslim cultures and subcultures.
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Law, Justice & Culture CertificateEnrollment in the certificate program is a competitive process modeled after selection for law and graduate schools. Interdisciplinary coursework provides students with intellectual training in a "law and society" perspective.
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Political Communication CertificatePolitical communication encompasses the interactions of political figures, political interests, the press, and the public in their efforts to persuade and influence political outcomes. The program is open to any undergraduate student.
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Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies CertificateThis certificate offers students an opportunity to engage in a rich academic program that addresses gender and sexuality and their intersection with race, class, and other aspects of diversity.
What Can You Do with a Political Science Degree?
From national law firms to city governments, congressional campaigns to the non-profit world, Political Science alumni from µÛÍõ»áËù are shaking things up. µÛÍõ»áËù graduates attend world-class master's, Ph.D. and law school programs and work in top jobs in their fields across the country — and the world.
A degree in Political Science prepares you with invaluable tools — from conceptual frameworks and critical thinking to communication skills and practical knowledge of political institutions — applicable across a range of career choices. Whether you're headed into American public service, global affairs, teaching, or graduate school, you'll the program with an appreciation for the diverse perspectives and complex problems in today's politics.
Political Science Careers & Internships
Post-Grad Opportunities for Political Science Majors
After earning their bachelor's degrees in political science, some students proceed to graduate school at µÛÍõ»áËù or elsewhere. Our undergraduate programs will prepare you for the rigors and rewards of graduate school in our master's programs.
Career Coach Marty Wall Gives Students a Head Start on Professional Goals
Get Hands-On Experience with Your Political Science Degree
Our political science programs provide important experiential learning opportunities. What you learn in the class is also valuable and applicable in the field, so you’ll get the chance to participate in research projects, internships, and more.
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Try Out for the Mock Trial Team
The Mock Trian Team provides students with the opportunity to engage in simulated courtroom litigation and holds tryouts early in Fall Semester. For more information, contact Larry Hayman.
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Exhibit Your Research at Student Expo
The µÛÍõ»áËù Student Research and Creative Activity Expo is held annually to highlight student research, scholarship and creative works, and many Political Science majors participate.
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Take Advantage of a Public Affairs Internship
Want a chance to make a difference and develop your professional skills? Political Science interns have worked at all levels of public life, from the courthouse to the White House.
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Join the Political Science Majors Association
The strongest aspect of the organization is its relationship with the faculty in the Political Science Department. Supporting non-partisan political activities is another goals of the Political Science Majors Association.
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Earn Your Spot in the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society is the national honor society for undergraduate and graduate students of Political Science and provides tangible recognition to students who have excelled in the field.
Why Choose a Political Science Degree?
Political Science at OHIO is a vibrant and diverse community, with hundreds of political science and pre-law majors and minors and graduate students. As a department, we are strongly committed to excellent teaching and innovative scholarship, as well as a culture of intellectual diversity, dialogue and engagement.
Our courses explore important and timely questions on themes such as freedom, equality, justice, power, and protest. Courses engage students in the nuts and bolts of government and public administration, everyday political experiences and struggles, and the enduring theoretical puzzles that accompany the study of politics.
Our faculty maintain a strong commitment to our students, as evidenced by an outstanding record of teaching awards. We focus on both academic and professional development of our students, with a public affairs internship program that enables students to earn academic credit while gaining valuable work experience in legal settings, state and local government, and non-profit organizations. We offer several vibrant honors programs, an affiliated undergraduate student association, and opportunities to participate in study abroad programs. Our students also find opportunities to interact with accomplished alumni working in government, business and public affairs.
µÛÍõ»áËù Political Science graduates are regularly admitted to the nation's most prestigious law schools and graduate programs. Our students also go on to a variety of careers in areas such as political organizing and campaigns, education, law and law enforcement, public administration, business, non-profit work, and international affairs. With preparation in political science, the career possibilities are endless.
Advising and Student Success
Of course, µÛÍõ»áËù gives you tools to ensure you succeed, ranging from College of Arts and Sciences success advisors to Political Science Department mentors who help you graduate on time and on plan.
Students can also take advantage of the Pre-Law Advising Center for OHIO Students for law-related events and law school preparation.
Connect with OHIO's worldwide network of alumni eager to help students like you navigate successful career paths by joining the Bobcat Network.
Undergraduate students can contact Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs for advising support, such as: class registration, adding and dropping classes, changing majors, adding minors and certificates, Guarantee+, and graduation checks.