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Make your mark with a political science degree

Your city, your country, your world

Politics touch everyone. It’s at work in the institutions that give power to some citizens and deny it to others. It’s wielded by those who distribute public resources and decide how conflicts are resolved. Whatever country you call home, politics affect you. A liberal arts major in Political Science is your ticket to the show.

Only@Eckerd

Pre-law minor

Eckerd College offers a Law & Justice minor for students planning to go to law school. It pairs nicely with Environmental Studies, Business Administration, Management or International Relations & Global Affairs.

Friends in high places

Study diplomacy with the former United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Ukraine right here on our Florida campus. Neal Walker is an alumnus (’78) and our diplomat-in-residence.

Fast track to law school

Offered in partnership with Florida State University, Eckerd’s 3+3 Accelerated Law Degree Program allows students to finish both degrees in six years instead of seven.

Political Science major Johnny Boykins '08

In Their Own Words

“Having a basic understanding of how politics works and how it is connected to government, governance, and civil society is the absolute cornerstone of citizenship in a free and open society. The political science department at Eckerd equips students with the skills to pursue gainful employment in the workforce or adequate preparation for advance study in the field of political science, government, and law.”
— Johnny Boykins ’08
Project Development Manager at Criterion Holdings Corporation

Beyond the Classroom

One recent student interned with a Member of Parliament in the U.K., another spent a summer as a Field Organizer for the Democratic National Committee in South Carolina. A third worked in a local law office. There’s simply no better way to tell if a field is right for you.

Service is a big deal at Eckerd. One recent Poli Sci major volunteered for Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA), a local shelter and rehabilitation program. For more than a year, she spent every Wednesday morning in court, helping women through the legal process of escaping abusive relationships.

Service Pics on Flickr

Passionate about something that’s not on the class schedule? Do an independent study. After her high school received a bad accreditation review, one recent student reviewed current accreditation practices and suggested improvements.

Popular classes

Intro to International Relations

Using case studies and simulations, you’ll learn about the international system including key actors, theories and concepts. Covers global issues such as war, wealth and poverty, hunger and environment, and global justice.

Human Rights & International Law

Study the most pressing international human rights issues of the day, ranging from women’s rights to protection of minorities and the right to economic subsistence. You’ll also examine the role of United Nations and other international organizations in setting and enforcing human rights standards. Students participate regularly in the Model U.N.

Outcomes

What can I do with a political science degree?

  • Business Manager
  • Foreign Correspondent
  • Human Rights Advocate
  • International Banker
  • Journalist
  • Lawyer
  • Political Consultant
  • Public Opinion Analyst
  • Public Relations Director
  • Teacher

Where our political science majors go to graduate school

  • Harvard Law School
  • Columbia University
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law – Arizona State University
  • Stetson University College of Law
  • SUNY – Buffalo Law School
  • Tulane University Law School
  • Wake Forest University School of Law

Where our political science majors go to work

Sign up for more about Eckerd and our political science program