Political science offers an appreciation and understanding of the key role that politics plays in human interactions from the local to the global level.
With a political science degree from Wittenberg, students will find success in a variety of settings — in the public and private sectors, higher education and beyond — by developing skills in critical thinking, written communication and data analysis, all in the context of appreciating the key role that politics plays in human interactions from the local to the global level.
To understand and analyze the political world, students take courses from three concentration areas: comparative politics and international relations, political theory and law, and American politics.
The political science department links classroom knowledge with experience in the field. You might work on a political campaign, attend a presidential inauguration, study political culture in Poland, or analyze after-school programs for their effectiveness. The writing, speaking and analytical skills honed in the classroom are applicable to a wide variety of professions after graduation.
Many of our students study abroad or participate in internships, both in the United States and abroad, to enrich their knowledge of political and governmental structures, and gain valuable career experience. For example, internship placements in our Washington Program, available each year and during the summer, offer unparalleled experience.
Options for Political Science Majors
Pi Sigma Alpha, the national Political Science honor society, has produced a number of professional development panel recordings relating to studying political science, as well as pursuing career and further education opportunities for Political Science majors. Topics covered include:
- What Can I Do with a Political Science Degree?
- Advocacy and Nonprofit Careers
- Careers in Government
- Globally-focused Careers
- New Directions of Black Politics
- Considering Graduate Schools, Professional Programs in International Affairs and Public Policy, and Law School
Please take a look at the videos! If you have further questions, feel free to ask one of our faculty members.
Political Science in the News:
- Community Leaders: Alumni Trio Assumes Leadership Roles In Hilliard, Ohio (published May 7, 2020)
- Preserving Democracy: Wittenberg University Professor Challenges Students to Preserve Democracy Through Publishing (published June 3, 2020)
- Bryan Heck '06: Wittenberg Grad Bryan Heck '06 Settling Into City Manager Role (published July 24, 2019)
- 2019 Senior Salute- Madison Pangburn: Political Science and Philosophy Major and Pre-Modern Ancient Studies, and Justice, Law and Public Policy Minor Shares Her Wittenberg Experience (published May 1, 2019)
- Up for Debate: Wittenberg Expert to Debate on U.S.-Chinese Relations at Ohio State (published August 30, 2018)
- Helping Others: Mallory Roth ’14 Embodies “Do Good” Motto (published September 13, 2018)
- Learn About U.S.-African Engagement 2000-2018: Former U.S. Ambassador Robert Perry ’67 to present a political science colloquium, Oct. 23 (published October 19, 2018)
- Summer Exploration: Wittenberg University Professors Lead Student Immersion Experience in Poland (published May 16, 2018)
- New Majors and Minors Added: Justice, Law, Public Policy and Educational Studies Round Out New Major and Minor Offerings at Wittenberg University (published February 13, 2018)
- Breaking Gender Barriers: Beth McCann ’71 Reflects on Inaugural Year as Denver’s First Female District Attorney (published January 4, 2018)
- Assignment of Fire: Criminal Justice Reform Advocate Bernadette Evans, Class of 1989, to Present Keynote Address During Wittenberg Series-Sponsored Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation (published January 8, 2018)
- Making A Difference: Trent Champlin ’17 Works to Improve the State of Ohio (published November 21, 2017)
- 2017 Poli-Sci Spotlights: Why These Students Chose Political Science and More (published May 8, 2017)
- The Great Debate at Ohio State: Wittenberg Expert to Debate on U.S.-Chinese Relations (published March 23, 2017)
- Navigating Partisan Differences: Professor of Political Science Ed Hasecke Reflects on Social Identity Theory During a Contentious Presidential Campaign Season (published November 8, 2016)
- International Media Management: Getting a Deeper Look at American Politics (published November 7, 2016)
- Emerging Political Career Has Roots in Wittenberg Experience: Wittenberg Grad Taking Strides in Michigan (published September 8, 2015)