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Academic Advising
What Can I Do With a Major in Political Science?
Political Science is the description, analysis, and explanation of political behavior, governmental institutions, processes, policies, and political leadership. This major prepares individuals for active citizenship, for careers in different types of government and private positions, and for advanced study in the social sciences and law. This is achieved by training students to be observers of political behavior as well as enhancing students' grasp of the swiftly moving events of our century. The liberal arts curriculum requires a basic framework in political science along with related courses in social sciences, accounting, statistics, logic, and other areas of interest. Students may earn either a major or a minor in political science.
Interests
The desire to study contemporary political issues, people and their behavior, and the law; An interest in understanding the organizational make-up and functioning of governmental organizations, political processes and behavior, and the policy making process.
Competencies
- Analytical
- Grasping complex laws or case histories
Isolating the specific from the general
Translating theory into action
Planning and administering programs
Organizing ideas/materials/objects
Reviewing/evaluating projects or ideas
Comparing/compiling research reports - Quantitative
- Analyzing data
Developing research designs
Collecting and organizing data
Knowledge of survey research methods - Communication
- Effective/persuasive speaking
Writing reports/articles
Explaining data analysis
Simplifying complex data
Editing/proofreading materials
Maintaining records/tabulating data
Interviewing
Informing/explaining ideas
Describing and evaluating issues/problems/events
Opportunities - Careers
- State, Local, and National Government
- Foreign service officer
International administrator
Government treasury officer
Senior health planner
Public personnel specialist
Election officer
Political geographer
Intelligence specialist
Assistant city manager
Public policy maker
Commissioner public worker
Civil preparedness officer
Intergovernmental relations officer
Law enforcement officer
Job developer - Political Parties and Civic Groups
- Public opinion pollster
Survey research consultant
Congressional aide
Senatorial staff member
Media elections analyst
Assistant to party committees
Campaign consultant
Lobbyist - Law
- Legislative analyst
Paralegal research assistant
Assistant public defender
Court administrator
Conciliator
Abstractor
Arbitrator
Welfare specialist
Legal investigator
Parole officer
Corrections officer
Probation officer - Education
- Teacher
Admissions officer
Adult vocational counselor
Research assistant
Administrative assistant - Business/Industry
- Security consultant
Employment interviewer
Hospital administrator
Economic risks analyst
Sales representative/executive
Program manager
Quality control specialist
Director, industrial relations
Research analyst
Public affairs officer
Association executive
Organizational behavior
specialist
Loan officer
Financial adviser
Underwriter
Fund-raising specialist
Claims examiner
Customer service representative - General
- Reporter
Administrative assistant
Research assistant
Economic development planner
News analyst/editor
Publisher
Note: Some of the listed career options may require additional education and/or training beyond the bachelor's degree.
Opportunities - Graduate/Professional School
Recent graduates may continue advanced study (graduate or teaching degrees) in political science; or go into other areas such as law and business administration.
Opportunities - Experiential
Summer or part-time work and internships with governmental or legal agencies, political parties, public office holders, political campaign staffs, civic organizations, interest groups, voluntary agencies, or hospitals; involvement in student organizations such as the Pi Sigma Alpha Honorary, the Pre-Law Society, the Miami Association for Public Administration, and the National Model United Nations or similar simulations such as the Model Arab League.
Sources of Additional Information
- Department of Political Science (218 Harrison Hall, 529-2000)
- * Curriculum Requirements
* Career Opportunities - Career Services (200 Hoyt Hall, 529-3831)
- * Career Resource Center
* Career Counseling
* Career Assistance Center
* Computerized Career Development Program
* Dictionary of Occupational Titles
* Occupational Outlook Handbook - Arts and Science Academic Advising (146 Upham Hall, 529-3031)
- * Miami Plan & College of Arts and Science Requirements
- * Course Selection
* Career Decision Making
Developed by the College of Arts and Science Advising Office and the academic departmental offices with adaptations from Liberal Arts and Sciences - Skills - Career Opportunities, Career Planning and Placement Office, University of Michigan.