Central's political science program lets you benefit from professors’ expertise in areas such as American and international politics. This major is excellent preparation for graduate and law school, as well as a wide variety of careers in government, politics, law, business, mass media and education, as well as effective participation in civic and community affairs.
You'll learn about government rules and institutions, and how individuals and groups interact at local, state, national and international levels through coursework and practical experience. Political science students learn to do original research and undertake civic engagement projects that allow them to connect with professionals and develop a resume of experience. Many students also take part in experiential and service-learning projects or career-focused internships in Washington, D.C., Des Moines or while studying internationally.
Central students can study off-campus — both internationally or domestically in the United States. These opportunities give students the chance to prepare to be global citizens, equipped to compete in the global job market. Students can check out experiences led by Central faculty or attend select academic programs across the world that provide opportunities for study, service, internships and other types of experiential learning. Options include experiences in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Central America, Ghana, England, the Scottish Highlands and more.
Political science students have always been among the highest participators in off-campus experiences, gaining life-changing, career-shaping experiences through internships to learn firsthand about foreign and international politics.
Students at Central College are encouraged to explore new opportunities. For Curtis Bauer ’92, the ability to explore helped him discover exactly who he was meant to be.
In fall 2009, the new 57,748-square-foot Roe Center opened to provide new classroom, office and instructional space for the political science, education, communication and psychology departments, along with Central’s nationally recognized community-based learning department.
Central College graduates have found successful careers in political science fields.
Central Red welcomes Adam Gregg ’06, Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor.
We will work one-on-one with you to select and apply for an internship that will complement your courses and enhance your career prospects. Students are placed in governmental and non-governmental positions at local, state and national levels in the U.S., as well as in governmental and non-governmental positions through our off-campus experiences, including at the British Parliament, United Nations and U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.
Recent internship examples include:
Political science courses prepare you for work in a variety of areas. Central offers courses in the major sub-fields of the discipline, including: American government and politics, public policy, international politics, comparative politics and research methods.
Central's expert faculty are leaders in their fields, conducting research and authoring papers and articles that expose students to the latest scholarship.
Learn more about this discipline in the course catalog.
Want to find out more about Political Science at Central? Contact us to learn more about this discipline and our other strong academic programs.
Visit campus to observe classes and experience The Central Difference firsthand.
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