Political Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Why Major in Political Science at Allegheny College
Explore politics, public policy, and political behavior in the U.S. and around the world. As a political science student, you’ll investigate and debate enduring values and issues — like freedom, justice, and power — while learning to solve problems facing society today.
Unusual Combinations
Students often combine Political Science with:
Division
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
Program Type
- Major
- Minor
Number of Credits
46 for major20 for minorWhere Political Science Alumni Work Today
Research & Operations Manager
Protect Our Care
Kelsey Evans ’20
Project Manager, Digital Innovations
Federal Reserve Board
Alex Sproveri ’13
Senior Advisor for Policy, Risk, and Compliance
USAID
Domenic Ionta ‘07
Political Director
Shapiro for Pennsylvania
Larry Hailsham Jr. ’15
Assistant Producer / Director
NPR’s Morning Edition & Up First
Milton Guevara ’18
Regional Organizing Director
The New Pennsylvania Project
Katherine Zemaitis ’21
Law Student & Research Assistant
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
Hannah Firestone ’19
Co-founder
She Leads Africa
Afua Osei ’08
Head of Financial Crime Forensics
Goldman Sachs
Madelyn Yarbenet ’10
The Political Science Department here at Allegheny is life changing. I have benefited from amazing opportunities, such as an internship with a refugee resettlement agency and completing published research. This, combined with a faculty who study a wide range of topics and who want to know you on a personal level, has prepared me to be successful in the next steps of my journey.
Your Four-Year Journey
Year 1: Understanding
Take introductory courses on political theory, the U.S., or international politics. Don’t forget to enroll in Latin America, Europe, China, or the Middle East survey courses. Political Science classes are high-energy spaces with diverse approaches — lectures, discussion, simulations, debates, and visiting speakers.
Year 2: New Approaches
Begin research with a faculty member; several collaborations have led to co-authored publications! Politics in Popular Culture, Law and Courts, Human Rights, and Immigration are popular course choices during the second year. Consider applying for internships with local governments; in Washington, DC; or with a non-governmental organization.
Year 3: Delving Deeper
Take the Junior Seminar, an advanced research-based course to prepare for their Senior Comp and complete summer internships. The Dotson Fund financially supports political scientists’ internships in Washington, D.C., where we have an extensive alumni network. Our partnership with the Robert H. Jackson Center offers another unique opportunity, but our students intern in locations around the globe — from Brussels, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and right here in Meadville!
Year Four: The Comp
Research and write a unique thesis for their Senior Comp. You’ll also have the opportunity to take advanced classes on topics like Race and Politics, Civil Wars, Congress, and Social Policy in European Democracies.
Research and Internships
As a Political Science student, you can expand your interests and gain valuable experience through a wide range of opportunities on the Allegheny campus and beyond.
The Center for Political Participation (CPP) works to address issues that students care about — and gives them the tools to be politically active. The CPP plans and supports events encouraging political participation, such as:
- Town hall meetings
- Short courses
- Debate and election watch parties
- Local candidate forums
- Get-out-the-vote efforts
Students from any major can apply to be a CPP Student Fellow; this leadership group helps to plan and advance the center’s initiatives.
In this professional development program, Law and Policy, you can combine your academic goals with opportunities in international or domestic law and policy, including career education.
Allegheny’s affiliation with the Robert H. Jackson Center allows students to intern, conduct research, participate in enriching programming, and extend their professional network.
The center advances the legacy of Robert H. Jackson, who served as solicitor general, attorney general, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and chief U.S. prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal.
Political Science students can pursue their passions in a wide range of student-led organizations, including:
- Andrew Goodman Foundation Student Ambassadors
- Allegheny Student Government
- College Democrats
- College Republicans
- Mock Trial
- Women of Color in Politics
- Amnesty International
- Model UN
- Pre-Law Club
- Allegheny College Socialists
- Student Alliance for Prison Reform
- Student Coalition for Labor
- United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Study away from campus and earn credits that apply to your Allegheny degree. Learn about culture, history, and policy firsthand.
Many Political Science majors participate in a cooperative program with Carnegie Mellon University in the area of Public Policy. Students spend three years taking courses at Allegheny and two years at CMU, resulting in a combined B.A./Master’s in less time than is usually required to earn both degrees.
Featured News
Gator Alumni Apply Lessons Learned at Allegheny to Rewarding Careers in Nonprofit and Government Sectors
Allegheny College’s Blue and Gold Weekend welcomed alumni returning to campus, celebrating not just memories but also the impressive careers they’ve built since graduation.
Related Programs
Pre-law students study a broad-based curriculum at Allegheny in order to develop skills that are absolutely crucial for law school and law careers.
We prepare globally-minded graduates for international-facing careers. Explore global issues and how nations and regions interact around the world. Examine the influence of history, international politics, economy and development, and culture. Study a language and study abroad. Do it through an interdisciplinary lens.
As a Community and Justice Studies student, you'll learn about systems of power and inequality, engage with communities, and graduate ready to build a more just and egalitarian world.
Address:
520 North Main Street
Meadville, PA 16335
Contact:
814-332-4351
info@allegheny.edu
admissions@allegheny.edu
