Political Science Degree
Program Overview
Embarking on the journey to earn a political science degree at King's College unlocks a deeper understanding of government, power dynamics, policy, and diplomacy. Our program equips students with critical thinking and analytical skills essential for navigating the complexities of the political landscape. With a blend of theoretical foundations and practical applications, our curriculum prepares graduates for diverse political science careers in public service, law, and beyond.
Discover how a political science degree from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., can shape your future.
What Can You Do with a Political Science Degree?
Politics includes dramatic and globally transformative events—wars, civil rights marches, elections—but also the day-to-day interactions of individuals in the public sector. As such, political science professionals study power dynamics in global institutions, states, and societies. They also analyze government policies and research political behavior and the influences on that behavior. A political science degree resonates across industries, enhancing professional capabilities in fields such as business, law, journalism, and public administration by fostering broad-mindedness and a nuanced grasp of societal issues.
While many political science majors pursue careers in law, there are many other paths available. Students who earn a bachelor's in political science may find careers in government agencies as intelligence analysts or foreign service officers or go into public service as elected politicians, campaign managers, or support staffers. With strong communication and analytical skills, the private industry seeks individuals with a political science degree for positions in management, marketing, and public relations.
Whether you want to pursue law, get into politics, or join the private sector, there are many rewarding political science career opportunities available to King’s College graduates.
Top Political Science Major Employers
- Government
- Politics
- Law Offices
- Consulting Firms
- Media & Journalism
- Universities
- Private Sector
- Non-Government Organizations
Placement Highlights
- PA House of Representatives: legislative aides and research analysts
- Peace Corps: Kyrgyzstan
- CNN International News Source: content producer
- US Government Accountability Office: senior analyst
- United States Marine Corp: operational manager
- Federal Reserve System - Office of Legal Counsel
Graduate School Admissions
- American University
- George Washington University School of Political Management
- Maxwell School-Syracuse University
- Pennsylvania State University
- State University of New York
- Lehigh University
Top Careers for Political Science Majors
- Lawyer
- Legislative Assistant
- Policy Analyst
- Political Consultant
- City Planner
- Lobbyist
- Diplomat
- Journalist
- Political Correspondent
- College Professor
- Researcher
- Congressional Aide
- PR Specialist
- Press Secretary
- Speech Writer
- Business Executive
What Makes the King’s Political Science Program Different?
The Political Science Department at King’s College engages with politics and government in multiple ways to prepare our students for meaningful and purposeful careers. We strive to make students sophisticated and responsible thinkers and problem-solvers. In the classroom, we introduce students to theories and concepts in four subfields throughout their political science courses in American government, international relations, political theory, and comparative politics.
Beyond the classroom, we support conference presentations, study-abroad experiences, and student-based clubs focusing on political issues. Here's what makes our bachelor’s in political science unique:
- Customized academic tracks: Our political science program offers four distinct tracks that allows students to focus on specific areas of interest within political science, enabling a more personalized educational experience.
- Research-intensive curriculum: Students engage in semester-long research projects using primary source material, which is excellent preparation for law school, graduate studies, or research-intensive careers.
- Personalized academic experience: At King’s College, small class sizes ensure each student receives individual attention from faculty, fostering a personalized academic journey. This close-knit learning environment enhances student-faculty interaction and mentorship.
- Alumni network and career support: King’s College has a robust alum network active in various sectors. This network, alongside career support services, provides students with valuable connections and resources that aid in their professional growth and job placement after graduation.
Pre-Law Program
Many students who major in political science use it as a preparatory degree for law school by choosing to engage with King’s pre-law program. Pre-law faculty support a curriculum that reflects personal interests, advises students about the legal profession, and prepares students for law school entrance requirements and the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
The King’s College pre-law program has an enviable record of placing its students in top law schools, including Columbia, Penn, Dickinson, Temple, Georgetown, Villanova, Fordham, and Notre Dame. For students preparing for legal careers, the department offers a multi-course sequence in Constitutional Law and a junior or senior-year legal internship.
