Political Science
College of Social and Behavioral Science
36
Average
Class Size
437
Declared
Majors
Bennion
Center
Hinckley
Institute
Learning Abroad
Courses
Getting Started
- Meet with an advisor
- Complete WRTG 2010 - Intermediate Writing & POLS 1100 - US National Government
- Join a learning community like LEAP, Diversity Scholars, & the Honors College
Making Progress
- Complete 3 POLS Introductory courses (POLS 2100, 2200, 2300, or 2700)
- Consider an area of emphasis, second major, minor, or certificate
- Check your progress towards graduation in DARS
- Complete upper-division POLS courses based on personal interests & career goals
- Explore for-credit Hinckley Internship courses or research opportunities
- Meet with an advisor to stay on track
Finishing Up
- Complete all required courses
- Finish your internship, research project, or thesis if applicable
- Meet with an advisor to stay on track
- Apply for graduation
Community
Getting Started
- Attend PlazaFest to learn more about student organizations & connect with students who share your interests
- Follow @UofUPoliScience on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter for updates
Making Progress
- Join the POLS Student Advisory Committee
- Attend Hinckley Political Forum Series
- Get connected with student government through ASUU
- Apply for leadership within ASUU or campus clubs
- Engage in mentorship by becoming an orientation leader, peer advisor, college ambassador, or solutions scholar
Finishing Up
- Become a student member of a professional association aligned with your major like the American Political Science Association
- Get involved with the Alumni Association
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Learn to use online tools like CIS & Degree Dashboard
- Become familiar with academic resources like the Marriott Library, the Writing Center, the Math Center, & the Learning Center
Making Progress
- Connect with faculty members to identify possible research opportunities
- Take a related research methods course such as POLS 3001, 3005, or 5001
- Explore double major or minor
- Become a research assistant
- Apply for research opportunities through UROP
- Gain new skills by taking courses or workshops outside of your major
Finishing Up
- Present or publish research
- Attend an academic or professional conference
- Take test prep courses for graduate school applications (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.)
Transformation
Getting Started
- Attend Hinckley Political Forums
- Attend a Learning Abroad 101 session
- Meet with your advisor to discuss goal-setting that goes beyond the classroom
Making Progress
- Take a for-credit Hinckley course such as HNKLY 3160, 3910, or 4914
- Embark on a Learning Abroad experience
- Utilize faculty office hours
- Compete in Hinckley Talks through the Hinckley Institute
- Attend the Learning Abroad Returnee Student Panel
- Keep copies of the projects & assignments you are most proud of
Finishing Up
- Participate in graduation ceremonies
- Create a portfolio (hard copy or digital)
- Complete a national or global internship
- Submit to the Hinckley Research Journal
Impact
Getting Started
- Explore volunteer opportunities with the Bennion Center & other community partners
- Apply to participate in Alternative Breaks
- Join the First Year Service Corps
Making Progress
- Enroll in a Community Engaged Learning course
- Participate in the Campus Dialogue series with the Hinckley Institute
- Make a difference every week with regular volunteer service
- Apply to be a Student Leader within the Bennion Center
- Become a CSBS Ambassador
- Seek leadership opportunities with campus, campaign, & nonprofit organizations
Finishing Up
- Lead an Alternative Breaks trip
- Write a thesis based on your community engaged learning, service, or internship experience
- Become a mentor to other students
Careers
Getting Started
- Meet with a Career Coach in CPDC to explore your strengths, values, & career interests
- Expand your network by creating LinkedIn, Forever Utah, & Handshake accounts
Making Progress
- Attend CPDC events like Career Treks and Meet & Eats
- Attend career fairs & expos
- Create a resume & have it reviewed by a Career Coach
- Establish relationships with faculty so they can efficiently serve as references in the future
- Secure an internship or part-time job in an area of interest
- Conduct informational interviews with faculty, staff, & alumni
Finishing Up
- Refine your resume & application materials with the help of a Career Coach
- Practice interviewing skills
- Apply for jobs and/or graduate programs
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
Are you interested in understanding how laws and policies affect peoples' lives? Do you care about community engagement and social change? If so, then political science is a great fit for you! As a political science major, you will study a broad range of topics related to the world of politics. You can analyze different types of regimes and learn how people organize, administer, and seek to improve their governments. You can also customize your major by selecting from four emphasis areas: Community Involvement & Nonprofit Leadership, International Politics, Public Policy, and Law & Politics. You will gain the analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, research, and communication skills needed to find professional success in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. This major provides excellent preparation to pursue advanced studies in law, public policy and administration, and/or careers in business, government, law, media, education, or public service, among others.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand political ideas, institutions, policies, and behaviors across the globe
- Apply major concepts and theories to the study of politics
- Identify, analyze, and assess information from a variety of sources and perspectives
- Craft compelling arguments and present them verbally and in writing
- Possess the research and communication skills necessary to understand and participate in the world of politics
- Be prepared for entry-level positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors or to undertake graduate study
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.