Political
Science
at
SIUE
Career
Outlook
Students
who
major
in
political
science
typically
have
careers
in
government,
law,
business,
and
teaching.
Employment
projections
for
such
occupations
are
encouraging.
Openings
for
lawyers
are
expected
to
increase,
as
is
demand
for
law
clerks
and
legal
assistants.
The
U.S.
Department
of
Education
predicts
that
demand
for
secondary
teachers
will
rise
in
the
next
several
years,
especially
if
economic
recovery
takes
place.
Likewise,
economic
recovery
and
international
competition
should
improve
career
opportunities
in
business.
Governments
are
likely
neither
to
grow
nor
shrink,
and
significant
numbers
of
openings
will
occur
every
year.
When
preparing
for
a
career,
students
should
plan
their
studies
to
maximize
their
options
regardless
of
their
major.
They
should
also
remember
that
in
college
they
are
preparing
for
a
career,
not
just
a
first
job.
Recent
studies
suggest
that
liberal
arts
skills
are
more
important
for
career
advancement
than
is
a
specific
major.
Students
with
degrees
in
liberal
arts
disciplines
have
more
to
offer
prospective
employers
than
students
realize.
Among
their
strengths
should
be
the
ability
to
write
and
speak
effectively;
the
ability
to
understand
and
solve
problems,
especially
through
quantitative
and
statistical
analysis;
and
the
breadth
of
perspective
that
promotes
understanding
of
issues
and
coping
with
changing
conditions.
One
attraction
of
the
major
in
political
science
is
the
extent
to
which
the
curriculum
provides
an
opportunity
for
the
student
to
develop
these
abilities.
Educational
Preparation
The
best
preparation
for
a
political
science
major
is
a
thorough,
well
rounded
academic
program
in
high
school.
Remember
that
this
is
a
time
to
prepare
not
only
for
college,
but
also
for
a
career.
Both
will
demand
the
ability
to
read
critically,
to
write
clearly
and
persuasively,
and
to
reason
analytically
-
particularly
in
quantitative
terms.
Thus
students
should
take
as
many
years
of
English
as
possible,
should
aim
for
a
solid
grounding
in
mathematics,
and
should
take
world
history,
U.S.
history,
and
U.S.
government.
Students
also
should
take
advantage
of
any
opportunities
to
become
familiar
with
computers.
Once
admitted
to
the
University,
a
student
may
declare
a
major
in
political
science
after
completing
English
101
and
102,
as
well
as
making
up
for
any
high
school
deficiencies.
Typical
Program
of
Study
A
major
in
political
science
requires
33
hours,
including
POLS
111
and
112
and
at
least
one
course
in
four
of
the
following
subfields:
American
Politics,
Comparative
Politics,
International
Relations,
Political
Theory,
Public
Administration,
or
Public
Law.
A
minor
in
political
science
requires
18
hours
and
must
include
POLS
111
and
112
and
at
least
one
course
in
three
of
the
six
sub-fields.
For
more
information
regarding
the
program
of
study
in
political
science,
please
visit:
http://www.siue.edu/POLISCI
For
more
information
regarding
University
degree
requirements,
please
visit:
http://www.siue.edu
Faculty
A
wide
range
of
specialization
is
represented
in
the
faculty
of
the
Political
Science
Department,
which
takes
special
pride
in
the
quality
of
its
instruction.
Modest
class
sizes
provide
for
extensive
contact
with
talented
and
dedicated
teachers.
Students
also
benefit
from
the
research
and
public
service
projects
in
which
faculty
members
are
engaged.
These
activities
help
faculty
members
bring
the
most
up-to-date
information
and
experience
to
their
students.
To
Learn
More
......
Chairperson
Department
of
Political
Science
Box
1453
SIUE
Edwardsville,
IL
62026-1453
Phone:
(618)
650-3572
Top
Copyright
© 2003
Dr. Denise DeGarmo, Valerie Parmley, & Jack D. Sumpter
Department of Political Science
Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville, IL 62026
