Undergraduate Careers and Outcomes
Pursue your path and make a difference with a degree in political science.
UConn political science majors and minors gain a critical understanding of government, institutions, civic discourse, and public life. Through our rigorous coursework and hands-on experience, our students also gain transferable skills that are highly desired by employers, including communication, critical reasoning, quantitative analysis, and an appreciation for human diversity.
Once they graduate, our students go on to apply these skills in a variety of professional fields and make a significant impact on their communities. Many of them also continue their education at some of the top graduate programs in the U.S.
Common Career Tracks
Below are nine popular career tracks for political science students. The sample curricula is intended to provide examples of potential courses of study for students interested in pursuing particular careers. For more information or to discuss your options, please contact your academic advisor.
Business
Many political science students express an interest in business. Majors go on to pursue careers in financial consulting, public relations, and corporate analysis.
POLS majors are required to take three introductory POLS courses, eight 2000 level or above POLS courses, and four 2000 level or above related courses to complete the POLS degree. The sample curriculum below is intended to provide an example of a course of study one might follow if interested in pursuing business. These are suggested courses only, meant as a tool to guide.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1202. Introduction to Comparative Politics POLS 1402/W. Introduction to International Relations POLS 1602/W. Introduction to American Politics |
| Major Courses | POLS 3208W. Politics of Oil POLS 3209. Sustainable Energy in the 21st Century POLS 3256W. Politics and Human Rights in Global Supply Chains POLS 3406/W. Globalization and Political Change POLS 3434W. Honors Core: Excavating the International in Everyday Practices POLS 3617. American Political Economy POLS 3618. Politics of Inequality |
| Related Courses | BADM/BLAW/HRTS 3252. Business and Human Rights BADM/BLAW/HRTS 3254. Social Responsibility and Accountability in Business ECON 2440. Economics of the Global Economy |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | International Business Association Business Management Society Women in Business Internships* Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these experiences |
Foreign Service
Many political science students express an interest in foreign service, security, intelligence, and international affairs. Majors often go on to work as diplomats, foreign service officers, and government officials in offices such as the Departments of State and Defense.
POLS majors are required to take three introductory POLS courses, eight 2000 level or above POLS courses, and four 2000 level or above related courses to complete the POLS degree. The sample curriculum below is intended to provide an example of a course of study one might follow if interested in pursuing foreign service. These are suggested courses only, meant as a tool to guide.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1002. Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1207. Introduction to Nonwestern Politics POLS 1402/W. Introduction to International Relations |
| Major Courses | POLS 2450. Nuclear Security POLS 3402. Contemporary International Politics POLS 3406/W. Globalization and Political Change POLS 3413/W. International Security POLS 3414. National and International Security POLS 3418/W. International Organizations and Law POLS 3442. The Politics of American Foreign Policy POLS 3633. Race and Policy POLS 3847. The Policy-making Process |
| Related Courses | COMM 3130. Communication in Conflict Management HRTS 3202. International Human Rights SOCI 2830/W. Class, Power, and Inequality |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | Model UN* Cultural Centers Internships with Government Agencies, US Department of State* Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these experiences |
Government
Many political science students express an interest in careers with the government. Majors often go on to pursue city planning, federal and state legislature, and congressional positions.
POLS majors are required to take three introductory POLS courses, eight 2000 level or above POLS courses, and four 2000 level or above related courses to complete the POLS degree. The sample curriculum below is intended to provide an example of a course of study one might follow if interested in pursuing a governmental career. These are suggested courses only, meant as a tool to guide.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1002. Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1402/W. Introduction to International Relations POLS 1602/W. Introduction to American Politics |
| Major Courses | POLS 2622. State and Local Government POLS 3601. Modern American Presidency POLS 3603WQ. Congressional Apportionment and Redistricting POLS 3606. How to Fix an Election: The Politics of Election Administration in the United States POLS 3617. American Political Economy POLS 3622. American Political Leadership POLS 3632/W. Urban Politics POLS 3802. Constitutional Law POLS 3842. Public Administration POLS 3847. The Policy-making Process |
| Related Courses | COMM 3410/W. Political Communication ECON 2431. Economics of Taxation and Government Spending ECON 2441/W. Labor Economics PP 3032. Budgeting in Public Service Organizations |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | Internships*: Connecticut General Assembly Legislative Internship Program UConn Honors Congressional Internship The Washington Center Other Experiences: |
Lawyers and the Legal Profession
Many political science students express an interest in law and related fields. Majors often go on to pursue careers as lawyers, paralegals, and policy analysts.
POLS majors are required to take three introductory POLS courses, eight 2000 level or above POLS courses, and four 2000 level or above related courses to complete the POLS degree. The sample curriculum below is intended to provide an example of a course of study one might follow if interested in pursuing law. These are suggested courses only, meant as a tool to guide.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1002. Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1402/W. Introduction to International Relations POLS 1602/W. Introduction to American Politics |
| Major Courses | POLS 2827W. Criminal Justice in Practice POLS 3072. Political Protest and Ideology POLS 3214. Comparative Social Policy POLS 3418/W. International Organizations and Law POLS 3633. Race and Policy POLS 3802. Constitutional Law POLS 3807. Constitutional Rights and Liberties POLS 3817. Law and Society POLS 3822/W. Law and Popular Culture POLS 3827. Politics of Crime and Justice |
| Related Courses | HRTS 3200/W. International Human Rights Law PHIL 3226. Philosophy of Law SOCI 2301/W. Criminology SOCI 3823/W. The Sociology of Law: Global and Comparative Perspectives |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | Law Society Empowering Women in Law Mock Trial Society Internships at law firms, the CT Judicial Branch Experiential Learning Program, the CT Attorney General's Office* Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these experiences |
Non-Profit Organizations
Many political science students express an interest in non-governmental organizations or work in the non-profit sector. Majors go on to have careers as activists, advocates, and policy analysts.
POLS majors are required to take three introductory POLS courses, eight 2000 level or above POLS courses, and four 2000 level or above related courses to complete the POLS degree. The sample curriculum below is intended to provide an example of a course of study one might follow if interested in pursuing NGO/non-profit sector jobs. These are suggested courses only, meant as a tool to guide.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1207. Introduction to Nonwestern Politics POLS 1402/W. Introduction to International Relations POLS 1602/W. Introduction to American Politics |
| Major Courses | POLS 2062/W. Privacy in the Information Age POLS 3072. Political Protest and Ideology POLS 3214. Comparative Social Policy POLS 3216. Women in Political Development POLS/HRTS 3256. Politics and Human Rights in Global Supply Chains POLS 3430. Evaluating Human Rights Practices of Countries POLS 3618. Politics of Inequality POLS 3647. Black Leadership and Civil Rights |
| Related Courses | PP 4031. Financial Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations SOCI 2501/W. Sociology of Intolerance and Injustice SOCI 2827/W. Revolutionary Social Movements Around the World WGSS 3269/W. Gender, Sexuality, and Social Movements |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | EcoHusky Internships* Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these experiences |
Political Consulting
Many political science students express an interest in political consulting. Majors often go on to pursue careers as activists, campaign managers, policy analysts, and lobbyists.
POLS majors are required to take three introductory POLS courses, eight 2000 level or above POLS courses, and four 2000 level or above related courses to complete the POLS degree. The sample curriculum below is intended to provide an example of a course of study one might follow if interested in pursuing political consulting. These are suggested courses only, meant as a tool to guide.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1002. Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1402/W. Introduction to International Relations POLS 1602/W. Introduction to American Politics |
| Major Courses | POLS 2073Q. Advanced Quantitative Methods in Political Science POLS 2607/W. American Political Parties POLS 3062. Democratic Theory POLS 3214. Comparative Social Policy POLS 3602. The Presidency and Congress POLS 3604. Congress in Theory and Practice POLS 3612. Electoral Behavior POLS 3613. Congressional Elections POLS 3642. African-American Politics |
| Related Courses | COMM 3410/W. Political Communication SOCI 2835/W. Social Movements and Social Change SOCI 2841/W. Public Opinion and Mass Communication |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | UConn Collaborative Organizing UConn Consulting Group Internships with lobbying firms and political campaigns* Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these experiences |
Political Journalism
Many political science students express an interest in journalism and media in politics. Majors often go on to pursue careers as journalists, reporters, and political correspondents.
POLS majors are required to take three introductory POLS courses, eight 2000 level or above POLS courses, and four 2000 level or above related courses to complete the POLS degree. The sample curriculum below is intended to provide an example of a course of study one might follow if interested in pursuing political journalism. These are suggested courses only, meant as a tool to guide.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1202. Introduction to Comparative Politics POLS 1402/W. Introduction to International Relations POLS 1602/W. Introduction to American Politics |
| Major Courses | POLS 2062/W. Privacy in the Information Age POLS 3032. American Political Thought and Ideology POLS 3040. Power, Politics, and Art POLS 3202/W. Comparative Political Parties and Electoral Systems POLS 3205. Voting Behavior and Public Opinion Around the World POLS 3402. Contemporary International Politics POLS 3625/W. Public Opinion POLS 3807. Constitutional Rights and Liberties POLS 3850. Politics and Ethics |
| Related Courses | JOUR 2001W. Newswriting II JOUR 3000W. Community News Reporting JOUR 3002. Journalism Ethics JOUR 3020. Media Law |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | The Daily Campus Model United Nations* UCTV (UConn Student Television) Undergraduate Political Review Internships with newspapers and news stations* Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these experiences |
Teaching
Many political science students express an interest in teaching. Majors go on to pursue teaching careers in elementary, secondary, and higher education.
POLS majors are required to take three introductory POLS courses, eight 2000 level or above POLS courses, and four 2000 level or above related courses to complete the POLS degree. The sample curriculum below is intended to provide an example of a course of study one might follow if interested in pursuing teaching. These are suggested courses only, meant as a tool to guide.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1002. Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1202. Introduction to Comparative Politics POLS 1602/W. Introduction to American Politics |
| Major Courses | POLS 2023. Political Theory in Film POLS 2072Q. Quantitative Analysis in Political Science POLS 3012. Modern Political Theory POLS 3027W. Historical Women Political Thinkers POLS 3062. Democratic Theory POLS 3082. Critical Race Theory as Political Theory POLS 3216. Women in Political Development POLS 3412. Global Environmental Politics POLS 3710. Political Science Fiction POLS 3802. Constitutional Law POLS 3807. Constitutional Rights and Liberties POLS 3857. Politics, Society, and Education Policy |
| Related Courses | EDLR 3250. Experiential Learning and Education EDLR 3600. Educational Policy and Reform PSYC 2400. Developmental Psychology SOCI 2110/W. Sociology of Education |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | JumpStart UConn Future Educators Research Assistantships* Internships* Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these experiences |
Careers Related to the Environment
Many political science students express an interest in the environment, environmental law, and environmental activism. Majors go on to have careers as lawyers, activists, and advocates.
POLS majors are required to take three introductory POLS courses, eight upper-division POLS courses, and four upper-division related courses to complete the POLS degree. The sample curriculum below is intended to provide an example of a course of study one might take if interested in pursuing a career in the environment. These are suggested courses only. They are meant only as a tool to guide the student toward a career related to the environment.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1202. Introduction to Comparative Politics POLS 1402/W. Introduction to International Relations POLS 1602/W. Introduction to American Politics |
| Major Courses | POLS 3203. Environmental Policy and Institutions POLS 3208W. Politics of Oil POLS 3209. Sustainable Energy in the 21st Century POLS 3412. Global Environmental Politics |
| Related Courses | ECON 3466E. Environmental Economics HIST 3540E/WE. Environmental History of the Americas NRE 3201. Conservation Law Enforcement NRE 3245E. Environmental Law SOCI 2701E. Sustainable Societies |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | Internships (may earn academic credit for these experiences):
UConn Office of Sustainability PACE Energy and Climate Center Sustainable CT Fellowship Program Other Experiences: |
97%
of 2023 UConn political science graduates report positive outcomes (employed, continuing education, or service) 6 months post-graduation.
Plan Your Career
UConn's Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills partners with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to prepare students for success in today’s workforce. The Center offers these resources to political science students:
- One-on-one coaching sessions for help with résumés, interviewing, jobs and internships, graduate school applications, and more.
- Online tools for connecting with companies that recruit UConn students.
- In-person and virtual events that help students explore their career options and prepare for professional success.
More Professional Development Resources
Connect with Alumni
- Networking Opportunities
- LinkedIn UConn Alumni Search (political science)
- CLAS Career Night
- POLS Department's LinkedIn page
External Resources
- Pi Sigma Alpha - Professional Development Panel Recordings
- Understanding the Federal Hiring Process
- Law School Admission Council
- USA Jobs
- UConn School of Public Policy
- Idealist
Professional Associations
Watch: The Long and Winding Road to Globally-Focused Careers
Pi Sigma Alpha Professional Development Panel Recording
Featuring Shareen Hertel, UConn Professor of Political Science and Human Rights