You’re not working with beakers and flasks, rather political trends and governments, analyzing politics, current events and policies that can create change.
As a political scientist, you’re fascinated by how government works. You follow policy decisions and can discuss current events without skipping a beat. You spend your time evaluating policies and events, leveraging the information received from public opinion surveys, economic data and election results to anticipate the effects of new policies. A political scientist may work in a citizens’ advocacy group, join foreign service or work in the State Department or FBI. Some political scientists go into law where they serve as a city attorney or even the Texas State Attorney General’s office. Others work as policy analysts for organizations and nonprofits that are involved in and affected by local, state and national policies.
Several colleges and universities across the state offer outstanding bachelor-degree programs in political science. If working within the community and affecting policy is your goal, a Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP) or Master of Public Affairs degree are all great options to further your career. If practicing law is an interest, look toward law school and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. You will also find that some political scientists hold a Ph.D.
The hip-hop musical Hamilton rekindled an interest in the founding father and political statesman who contributed to the Federalist Papers and created the national bank.
