Political Science

About Political Science

Famed political scientist Harold Laswell (1936) defined politics as “the study of who gets what, when and how.” Political scientists systematically study governments, laws and public policy, political processes, political behavior, and political systems. They may focus on a single country or region or compare countries throughout the world.

When students study political science at SIUE, they take a set of required courses which expose them to the main areas of focus in political science.  These required courses enable them to acquire and learn to apply quantitative and qualitative tools and methods, and sharpen their communication, critical thinking and cultural competence skills. Students then choose from an array of electives in American Politics and Law, Comparative Politics, and International Relations which enables them to customize their degree to best suit their interests and career goals. 

Why Political Science at SIUE?

Students choose to major in political science at SIUE for many reasons, including:

1. Close Student-Faculty Interactions.

 Our students are more than a name and id number on a list to our faculty.  We’re in the classroom because we’re passionate about teaching and we care about our students and about helping foster their success.  Beyond the classroom, students have opportunities to work with faculty members as research assistants, including through the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Program. Several of our faculty have even co-authored articles and conference papers with their undergraduate students. Additionally, students have participated in study abroad experiences with our faculty and faculty also help supervise students in internships. Finally, all students have a culminating experience in which they work alongside a faculty mentor on an original research project for their senior assignment.

2. The Opportunity to Learn from Faculty who are Subject Matter Experts. 

Our faculty have published seven books and over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles. We have received more than $800,000 in grant funding to support research and community education and several faculty members have received prestigious fellowships or received awards for their research and teaching.  We also engage in public-facing work, making presentations to community organizations as well as multiple federal and state agencies.  We have written pieces that have appeared in outlets such as the  St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Hill, been interviewed for other national news outlets, and appeared on local news stations to provide expertise on current events and elections.

3. Numerous Opportunities to get Involved. 

Student organizations and internships provide students important networking opportunities as well as the chance to gain practical experience and apply knowledge and skills outside the classroom.  Students can participate in several student organizations that are based in the department including the Political Science Association, Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honor Society), and the Pre-Law Association. Many of our students also choose to join political organizations like College Democrats and College Republicans.  Students who want to gain practical experience in politics or law can also pursue internship opportunities. Recently, students have worked as interns for State Representative Katie Stuart, the Illinois Innocence Project, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and numerous area political campaigns.

4. Successful Post-Graduation Outcomes.

You can find our alumni who have gone on to law school working as Attorneys, Associates, and Partners at some of the top regional and national law firms.  They also work as state-level Assistant Attorney Generals and Assistant State Attorneys, Prosecutors, Public Defenders, Judicial law clerks, Child Welfare Attorneys, and as general counsel for government agencies, school districts, and businesses.  Those interested in law who choose not to attend law school work for law firms as paralegals, including practice area specialists, victim witness specialists, bankruptcy specialists, and guardianship specialists.

You can find our alumni who pursue career paths in government and public service working as staffers in the Illinois House and Senate, in the governor’s office, and numerous state and federal agencies, working in local politics, running congressional campaigns, and working as congressional staffers.

Skills built in the major such as data analysis, critical thinking, communication, and cultural competence are highly sought after in the private sector.  Our alumni currently work as contract and security specialists, analyze intelligence and threats, and serve as communications directors, development directors, and procurement directors for major corporations and nongovernmental organizations.  You’ll also find our alumni working as business analysts, project managers, regulatory compliance specialists, and even as Chief Administrative Officers or founders of their own companies.

Our students have a strong track record of getting accepted to graduate schools and law schools.  Universities that our graduates have completed  graduate degrees at include: American University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, McGill University, Northwestern University, Temple University, University of Chicago, University of Florida, University of Iowa, Washington University in St. Louis, and more.

While many of our graduates choose to complete law school locally at St. Louis University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Washington University in St. Louis, other alumni have graduated from law school at  University of Pennsylvania, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, George Washington University, Michigan State University, the University of Arizona,  University of Missouri at Columbia, and University of Southern California, among others.

Why did I Major in Political Science?

"When I started college, I was unsure what I wanted to major in. I took a political science course during my first semester because I was interested in government and politics and in how laws, public policy, and political institutions influence the way governments function in the United States and around the world. I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed applying political concepts to historical and contemporary events. The course challenged me to look beyond straightforward answers, consider issues from different perspectives, and make connections that were not always immediately obvious. I found that process both challenging and rewarding, and by the end of the course, I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in political science.

Throughout the program, I studied topics ranging from the presidency and state and local government to international relations and political scandals. These courses gave me a deeper understanding of how governments and political institutions operate and how political, social, and legal systems intersect. The professors were equally important to my experience. They were approachable and accessible, willing to clarify concepts, work through questions, and offer guidance as I considered my academic and professional goals. Their encouragement was particularly meaningful as I began exploring a career in law.

The skills I developed through the SIUE Political Science program have been indispensable throughout my legal career, from law school to my current work as a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C. Through the program, I developed the ability to analyze complex issues, synthesize information from different sources, consider competing perspectives, and clearly articulate well-supported positions. Those skills are particularly valuable in my legal work, where difficult issues often involve multiple sovereign authorities, each with its own statutes and regulations. Addressing these issues also requires an understanding of governmental institutions, public policy, historical context, and competing interests.

What began as a first-semester decision to explore a subject that interested me ultimately became the foundation for my legal education and career. The SIUE Political Science program prepared me not only for law school, but also for the practice of law by developing my analytical, research, and writing skills and giving me a broader understanding of government and political institutions. That foundation continues to inform my work as an attorney today."

- John Killingbeck, BS ‘19

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