Ever looked at a person in a position of power and wondered how they got there? Or questioned how someone got to be the president of millions of people? One thing we know for sure: the need for power and control has accompanied man throughout history. Great leaders and even notorious ones came to be through the knowledge and skills millions of students study in political science programs all over the world.
What Is Political Science?
Political science is the scientific study and analysis of government systems and policy. Political science is one of the social sciences meaning sciences that study various types of social aspects. In this case, this branch deals with all activities related to politics like political thinking, political behavior, government system, constitution, laws, etc. Each of these areas then fits in one of the subfields of political science that we have mentioned below.
Political Science Career Path
Say you pick political science as your major; what would your career options be? There are several different career paths that students of political science can consider after they obtain their degree. Here are some of your options:
Government
When people think of political science, the first thing that comes to their mind is the government because that is kind of a given. With a degree in political science, you gain qualifications to work for your government, be that local, state, or federal. As for the title of your job- you can go for a position as a legislative aide, policy analyst, etc.
Law
A degree in political science can be applied to law-related careers as well. Depending on the type of degree, you can be qualified to work as a paralegal or a legal assistant. A political science degree can also be a stepping stone for those who want to further their education and apply to law school.
Education
And if you loved studying political science, imagine what fun it would be to teach it. A degree in political science also gives you the option of becoming a teacher/professor and imparting your knowledge on the field to future generations.
Business
Obtaining a political science degree and becoming a political scientist generates the opportunity for a business-related career as well. As a lobbyist, you get to be an advocate for certain groups of people or even your own clients and have an impact on the creation and/or amendments of the laws of your country.
Journalism
A degree in political science paired with a passion for media can lead to a successful career in journalism. Your knowledge of politics and exceptional writing skills can be what gives you the edge to write informative and perceptive articles that serve to inform the public.
What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?
These days, politics seems to spark quite the interest in younger generations and, given today’s climate- we think it’s about time! This interest was manifested in the 2018 midterm elections, according to the data by Census Bureau. The data shows that the turnout rose in all age groups, including young generations (18-29-year-old group reaching 36% of voter turnout).
If you still think a degree in political science will simply not satisfy your innate need to have an impact or make the world a better place, we’re here to prove you wrong. Politics affects just about every area of our lives. So, if you’re someone who has a cause to fight for, better believe you can do so through politics. Some of the great causes that inspire young people to pursue a degree in politics are climate change/global warming, gun control laws, racial equality, etc.
What Do You Study in a Political Science Program?
As we have already established, political sciences deal with government and politics-related fields. However, like social science, political science requires extensive knowledge and skills that can consequently be applied to numerous different areas. While it depends on the university and the programs they offer, generally speaking, political sciences comprise five different subfields:
Political Theory
Otherwise known as political philosophy, it is a subfield of political sciences that studies political ideas/ theories. This subfield is concerned with the theory of social values linked to the government, like justice, power, freedom, etc. Political philosophy theorizes about possible, better scenarios of our society that can be reached through changing and improving policies.
Comparative Politics
A subfield of political science, comparative politics is the study of different political systems in the world by comparing them- governance in a comparative perspective. By studying the similarities and differences between these systems all over the world, comparative politics draws conclusions on how said political systems affect the citizens of a country. Comparative politics nowadays is more concerned with empirical study, as opposed to political theory, which is more theory-oriented.
International Relations
Otherwise known as international affairs or international studies, this subfield is the study of the relations and interactions between sovereign countries all over the world. The international affairs that concern this subfield are conflict/ war, security, economics (trade and finances), development, etc. This subfield also studies the mechanisms of international organizations like the United Nations (UN).
American Government and Politics
This subfield is the organized study of the special nature of the political system in the United States. American Government and Politics as a subfield is concerned with the local and national government, presidency, congress, courts, constitutional law, etc.
Political Methodology
One of the newer subfields of political science, political methodology, combines political theory and comparative politics. Thus, the main concern of political methodology is studying and analyzing the various methods that are applied to study politics in general.
Is a Political Science Degree Worth It?
Now that we have established some important facts about political science, the question that remains is: is a degree in this field worth it? While there is no definite answer as to whether getting into politics is the best fit for you, a degree in this field certainly has its perks.
Firstly, political science is a fairly versatile field in terms of careers. Secondly, obtaining a degree, be that an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in political science equips you with a set of skills that are applicable in different sectors outside of political science. And last but not least, political science jobs lead to high salaries.
Simply obtaining a bachelor’s degree in this field makes you qualified for an array of entry-level positions with a focus on administration or communication.
Why Get a Political Science Degree at BAU?
If you have made up your mind about pursuing a degree in political science, Bay Atlantic University offers a great Political Science & International Relations undergraduate program.
What makes our program better than others?
Firstly, our university strongly believes in affordable, high-quality education. This is made possible through our reasonably-priced tuition and the scholarships we offer our students. Obtaining a degree at the BAU means you will be equipped with knowledge and skills and make connections that will be a great advantage in the job market. Lastly, where better to study politics than right here in Washington D.C.?
Visit our website for more information on the application process and the programs we offer.