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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.

Division

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

Program Type

  • Major
  • Minor

Number of Credits

46 for major20 for minor

Where 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

Executive Deputy Chief of Staff

Shapiro Administration

Larry Hailsham Jr. ’15

Producer

NPR

Milton Guevara ’18

Western PA Regional Field Director

Blue Wave America

Katherine Zemaitis ’21

Lawyer

Keybank

Hannah Firestone ’19

Co-founder

She Leads Africa

Afua Osei ’08

Head of Financial Crime Forensics

Goldman Sachs

Madelyn Yarbenet ’10

US Diplomat

US Department of State

Dominic Randazzo

Your Four-Year Journey

Political Science Overview

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

Put Learning Into Action

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

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.

Concentration in Law and Policy

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.

Robert H. Jackson Center Affiliation

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.

Get Involved in Clubs and Organizations

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)

Recent Internships

  • Center for American Progress – U.S. domestic politics & policy
  • Erie County Department of Human Services – U.S. domestic politics & policy
  • U.S. Department of State – Foreign policy
  • Department of Homeland Security – Security & intelligence
  • International Institute of Erie – Human rights & refugee issues
  • Conservation International – Environmental policy & protection

Student Opportunities – Political Science Students Around the World

See how our students expand their perspectives through travel, programming, and other opportunities.

  • Meeting with renowned leaders – Students meet war crimes prosecutors at the Humanitarian Law Dialogs in New York State.
  • Studying in the Middle East – Students learn about Middle Eastern politics and the environment in Israel/Palestine and Jordan.
  • Studying in Europe – Students study immigration and current public policy issues in Italy.

Recent Senior Comps

The Senior Comp is the culmination of four years of experience, imagination, and study. It is the moment when you demonstrate what you’ve learned by teaching us something new.

  • Police Corruption: Assessing the Role of Institutional Structure on Police Corruption in Mexico and Chile
  • Black Women’s Journey: The Bridge Back to Us
  • Populist Executives: Catalyst to Democratic Backsliding
  • The Women’s March: An Analysis of Social Movement Outcomes
  • It Takes a Church? Using Religion to Explain Cross-National Differences in Family Policy
  • Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship
  • Embassy of Egypt
  • City of Rochester
  • White House

Cooperative Policy Program with Carnegie Mellon

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.

Faculty and Staff

Brian Harward

Professor

Department Chair

Ph.D., M.A., University of Georgia; B.A., Gettysburg College

Rebecca Oliver

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Northwestern University; B.S. Université de Montréal

Frequently Asked Questions About the Political Science Program

What type of degree is an Political Science major?

Students who major in Political Science at Allegheny College will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Are there any clubs and activities available for Political Science students?

Yes, there are multiple campus organizations that can benefit students in the Political Science program, such as Allegheny Student Government and Model UN.

Explore all Allegheny College clubs and organizations.

Program Contact

Brian Harward

Professor

Email(814) 332-3027