The study of Political Science assists students in becoming well informed citizens capable of critical thought. Fields of study include: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Public Policy, Constitutional Law, and Political Philosophy.
Emphasis is placed on avid classroom discussion. Practical experience is also encouraged through internships in political campaigns, legislative offices, and local newspapers. Off-campus study in Washington D.C. is a popular option among Political Science majors and other students interested in politics, government, or the media.
Upon graduation, Political Science majors have gone off to graduate school, law school, careers in government or politics, and careers in business.
Off-Campus Programs
Internships are highly recommended and have provided excellent opportunities for our students to gain practical experience in politics and government. Internship opportunities include work in local legislative offices; for the state's attorney and public defender; on local, state, and national campaigns; in government agencies; and as political reporters for the local newspaper. Internships include an academic component and can be taken for credit. Some notable examples: work in the Office of Vice-President of the United States, work on various campaigns, work on a notorious murder case for the Knox County public defender, and constituency service in the U.S. Congressional office.
Practical Experience
- Students are encouraged to pursue internships
- Students are challenged to treat empirical questions of fact and normative issues of morality with rigor and seriousness
Career Opportunities
Political Science majors have gone on to become lawyers, public servants, professors, and lobbyists. Others have entered into the business world either as entrepreneurs or on the management level. Still others have entered into the military or even the ministry. Political Science majors are trained to cultivate analytic and communication skills which render them highly adaptable in our modern, dynamic job market.
Graduate School Opportunities
Monmouth political science majors have entered Ph.D. and master's programs in a variety of academic and pre-professional disciplines. Many have attended law school. In recent years, MC graduates have been admitted to law programs at the University of Chicago, the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, the University of Iowa, the University of Virginia, Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, Washington University, Drake University, the University of Wisconsin, IIT - Kent College of Law, Northern Illinois University and Valparaiso University.
The department encourages its students to pursue a double major if they so wish. Recent graduates have successfully combined their political science majors with a major in English, history, philosophy, psychology, or speech.