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 eight popular career tracks for political science students. The sample curriculum is intended to provide an example of a course of study for students interested in pursuing a particular career. For more information or to discuss your options, please contact your academic advisor.
Business
Many political science students express an interest in business fields. 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 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 business. These are suggested courses only. They are meant only as a tool to guide the student toward a career in business fields.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1202: Introduction to Comparative Politics POLS 1602: Introduction to American Politics POLS 1402: Introduction to International Relations |
| Major Courses | POLS 3208: Politics of Oil POLS 3239: Politics of Environment POLS 3256: Politics of Human Rights in Global Supply Chains POLS 3406: Globalization and Political Change POLS 3617: American Political Economy POLS 3618: Politics of Inequality POLS 3852: Politics of Budgeting POLS 3209: Sustainable Energy in the 21st Century |
| Related Courses | BADM 3252: Corporate Social Impact and Responsibility BADM 3254: Business Solutions to Societal Challenges BADM 3673: Business Organizations and Governance ECON 2440: Economics of the Global Economy |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | International Business Society Undergraduate Business 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 and international affairs. Majors often go on to work as diplomats, foreign service officers, and other types of government officials.
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 foreign service. These are suggested courses only. They are meant only as a tool to guide the student toward a career in Foreign Service.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses |
POLS 1002: Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1207: Introduction to Nonwestern Politics POLS 1402: Introduction to International Relations |
| Major Courses |
POLS 3203: Environmental Policy and Institutions POLS 3402: Contemporary International Politics POLS 3847: The Policy-making Process POLS 3633: Race and Policy POLS 3410: International Political Economy POLS 3406: Globalization and Political Change POLS 3418: International Organizations and Law POLS 3442: The Politics of American Foreign Policy |
| Related Courses |
SOCI 3421: Class, Power, and Inequality SOCI 3701: The Developing World HRTS 3202: International Human Rights COMM 4250: Communication in Conflict Management |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities |
Cultural Centers Model UN* Internships with Government Agencies, US Department of State* International Relations Association Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these experiences |
Government
Many political science students express an interest in government careers. Majors often go on to pursue careers in city planning, federal and state legislature, and congressional positions.
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 government. These are suggested courses only. They are meant only as a tool to guide the student toward a career in government.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses |
POLS 1002: Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1602: Introduction to American Politics POLS 1402: Introduction to International Relations |
| Major Courses |
POLS 2622: State and Local Government POLS 3842: Public Administration POLS 3847: The Policy-making Process POLS 3632: Urban Politics POLS 3627: Connecticut State and Municipal Politics POLS 3062: Democratic Theory POLS 3617: American Political Economy POLS 3622: American Political Leadership |
| Related Courses |
ECON 2431: Economics of Taxation and Government Spending ECON 2441: Labor Economics PP 3032: Budgeting in Public Service Organizations COMM 4410: Government Communication |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities |
USG ConnPIRG Model UN* Model Congress Internships* Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these 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 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 law. These are suggested courses only. They are meant only as a tool to guide the student toward a career in the law and legal careers.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses | POLS 1002: Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1402: Introduction to International Relations POLS 1602: Introduction to American Politics |
| Major Courses | POLS 3072: Political Protest and Ideology POLS 3214: Comparative Social Policy POLS 3418: 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: Law and Popular Culture |
| Related Courses | HRTS 3200: International Human Rights Law PHIL 3226: Philosophy of Law SOCI 2301: Criminology SOCI 3823: Sociology of Law |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities | Law Society Moot Court Mock Trial Internships at law firms, Judicial Branch, CT Attorney General* *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 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 NGO / non- profit sector jobs. These are suggested courses only. They are meant only as a tool to guide the student toward a career in NGO / Non-profit sector.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses |
POLS 1207: Introduction to Nonwestern Politics POLS 1602: Introduction to American Politics POLS 1402: Introduction to International Relations |
| Major Courses |
POLS 2062: Privacy in the Information Age POLS 3214: Comparative Social Policy POLS 3239: Politics of the Environment and Development POLS 3430: Evaluating Human Rights Practices of Countries POLS 3072: Political Protest and Ideology POLS 3216: Women in Political Development 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: Sociology of Intolerance and Injustice SOCI 2827: Revolutionary Social Movements Around the World WGSS 3269: Women’s Movements |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities |
ConnPIRG 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 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 political consulting. These are suggested courses only. They are meant only as a tool to guide the student toward a career in political consulting.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses |
POLS 1002: Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1602: Introduction to American Politics POLS 1402: Introduction to International Relations |
| Major Courses |
POLS 2607: American Political Parties 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 POLS 3214: Comparative Social Policy POLS 3062: Democratic Theory |
| Related Courses |
COMM 4410: Government Communication COMM 4451: Media, State, and Society SOCI 3821: Social Movements and Social Change SOCI 3841: Public Opinion and Mass Communication |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities |
ConnPIRG Student Coalition for Social Justice Internships with lobbying firms, 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 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 political journalism. These are suggested courses only. They are meant only as a tool to guide the student toward a career in political journalism.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses |
POLS 1602: Introduction to American Politics POLS 1202: Introduction to Comparative Politics POLS 1402: Introduction to International Relations |
| Major Courses |
POLS 2062: Privacy in the Information Age POLS 3202: Comparative Political Parties and Electoral Systems POLS 3402: Contemporary International Politics POLS 3625: Public Opinion POLS 3032: American Political Thought and Ideology POLS 3205: Voting Behavior and Public Opinion Around the World POLS 3807: Constitutional Rights and Liberties POLS 3850: Politics and Ethics |
| Related Courses |
JOUR 2001W: Newswriting II JOUR 3000W: Public Affairs Reporting JOUR 3002: Journalism Ethics JOUR 3020: Journalism Law |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities |
The Daily Campus Model United Nations* Internships with newspapers, news stations* Study Abroad* Undergraduate Political Review *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 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 teaching. These are suggested courses only. They are meant only as a tool to guide the student toward a career in teaching and education.
Sample Curriculum
| Course Type | Sample Courses |
|---|---|
| Introductory Courses |
POLS 1002: Introduction to Political Theory POLS 1602: Introduction to American Politics POLS 1202: Introduction to Comparative Politics |
| Major Courses |
POLS 2072Q: Quantitative Analysis in Political Science POLS 3012: Modern Political Theory POLS 3062: Democratic Theory POLS 3082: Critical Race Theory as Political Theory POLS 3216: Women in Political Development POLS 3807: Constitutional Rights and Liberties POLS 3412: Global Environmental Politics POLS 3857: Politics, Society, and Education Policy |
| Related Courses |
EDLR 3250: Experiential Learning and Education EDLR 3600: Educational Policy and Reform SOCI 3471: Sociology of Education PSYC 2400: Developmental Psychology |
| Additional Curricular and Extracurricular Activities |
JumpStart UNESCO Research Assistantships* Internships* Study Abroad* *may earn academic credit for these experiences |
94%
of 2019 UConn political science graduates report positive outcomes (employed, continuing educatino, or service) 6 months post-graduation.
Center for Career Development
UConn's Center for Career Development partners with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to prepare students for success in today’s workforce. The Center offers:
- One-on-one coaching sessions for help with résumés, interviewing, jobs and internships, graduate school applications, and more
- Online tools for connecting with alumni mentors as well as companies looking to recruit UConn students
- In-person and virtual events that help students explore their career options and prepare for professional success