Major in Political Science
Become a political scientist • Complete your own research • Make an impact
Political Science is a challenging field. At JBU, you'll study relationships and struggles for power in a fallen world.
In the political science major, you will learn the workings of political systems and become familiar with patterns of political behavior. At JBU you will integrate faith with political science and participate in thoughtful and challenging discussions in your classes.
Discover how JBU will equip you to tackle big questions about life and government
What is Political Science?
Let’s get something out of the way – majoring in political science doesn’t mean you’re going to run for office. Or work on a political campaign. Or serve in government in any capacity. Sure, you can do these things with a degree in political science from JBU. But majoring in political science is about so much more than preparing for work in politics and government. It’s about acquiring a deeper understanding of important questions, like how we should govern ourselves. It’s about learning to identify creative solutions to complex problems. At its root, it’s about relationships and struggles for power in a fallen world.
Students majoring in political science learn to think critically, write effectively, and see the big picture. They come to identify why they believe what they believe. They are prepared for a diverse range of careers in both the public and private sectors, as well as for advanced study elsewhere. They learn how to ask and analyze big questions and concepts. But most importantly, they are taking the call to be “in the world, but not of the world” seriously. In the political science major at JBU, we are doing all we can to equip them for what comes next.
Why Study Political Science at JBU?
Here at JBU, we have organized the political science major to get the most from our students. Classes are small and promote thoughtful discussion. Assignments give students creativity to explore problems and issues important to them. The major equips students to make sense of the complex world around them, all for the purpose of advancing the kingdom. We’d love to have you join us.
It’s desirable. From autonomous cars to artificial intelligence, it’s hard to imagine what the world will look like in 5, 10, and 50 years from now. And while we can’t predict the future, we do know that employers will always be looking for people who can think through problems, communicate clearly, and adapt to changing circumstances. A degree in political science at JBU will give you the skills essential for competing in an evolving economy, regardless of your chosen profession.
It’s relevant. Politics and government is in a constant state of upheaval, here in the U.S. and around the world. Majoring in political science will help you make sense of the reasons behind these changes. You will connect big ideas and theories to current debates and controversies, becoming equipped to put what you study into action and apply your reading to the real world. If you’re looking for a major that will help you make sense of the now by paying attention to the past and looking to the future, political science may be for you.
It’s customizable. Political science is a broad field. Here at JBU, you will take courses in political institutions, behavior, and philosophy, comparative politics, law, the intersection of politics and religion, and research methods, among others. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their major, exploring topics of interest to them within and across courses and—with guidance and support from hands-on faculty—become experts on these topics, both substantively and methodologically. In short, while political science is a diverse major, you will find it easy to personalize and shape to your interests and calling.
Political science majors tend to be:
1
Curious
2
Passionate
3
Open-Minded
Utilizing Your Degree
Because of the broad training political science majors receive, you can find them in virtually any profession, including (but certainly not limited to):
- Legislative Correspondent, U.S. Senate
- Federal, state, and local government
- International nongovernmental organizations
- Law and the legal profession
- Lobbying and policymaking
- Nonprofit organizations
- Public and private sector research
Specifically, our graduates have gone on to hold positions in a variety of organizations, including:
- Environment America
- Pegasus Institute
- Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
- City of Charleston, South Carolina
- First Liberty Institute
- Oklahoma Democratic Party
- American Airlines
- Dayspring Cards
- Silver Dollar City Foundation
It is not unusual for our graduates to pursue an advanced degree. They have been admitted to a variety of programs, including:
- Georgetown University Law Center
- University of Texas School of Law
- Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University
- Emory University School of Law
- University of Iowa School of Law
- William and Mary Law School
- Baylor Law School
- University of Missouri School of Law
- Brooklyn Law School
- University of Arkansas School of Law
- University of St. Thomas School of Law
- Seton Hall University School of Diplomacy and International Relations
- University of Illinois-Chicago Department of Political Science
Students are encouraged to develop their course papers into projects for presentation at national and regional conferences. To date, student research has been accepted for presentation at the annual meetings of the Midwest Political Science Association, Western Political Science Association, and Arkansas Political Science Association.
What our alumni are saying
Jared Besse ‘19
“I had been interested in politics since high school and since I didn’t know what I wanted my career to be in, I chose Political Science. Soon my eyes were opened to a whole field of study where we move past the day-to-day partisan issues and dive deep into what makes America run. Politics affects everything, including business, race, economics, psychology and much more. The faculty was amazing and let me research and learn about topics that were of interest to me – they also helped me land an internship that led to my current job.” Jared Besse is Digital Marketing Coordinator for First Liberty Institute.
Seth Billingsley ’21
“Political science extends well beyond politics and government—it is the study of people: how they think about themselves and others, perceive the world around them, and engage with their communities. At JBU, the POL curriculum encompasses history, law, economics, statistics, and more in order to more fully explore questions about people and their societies. Never will a student be left without options to pursue their passions, as the major provides structured support for exploration and learning. My political science degree quickly opened numerous doors for me after graduation, but the additional opportunities extended to me while still in college invigorated and inspired me to succeed. I would highly recommend the JBU political science track to any student curious about our world, state, and neighbors.” Seth is a Campaign Associate at Environment America.
Moriah Lawrence '20
"The political science major at JBU challenged me to explore the relationship between politics and my faith in a deeper way. In the classroom, we had meaningful conversations, read books that presented data surrounding important topics in society today, and wrote papers that gave us the opportunity to explore topics and research that was of interest to us. Beyond the incredible classroom experience, I was also able to participate in conferences, internships, and Model UN. The support of the faculty has helped me with networking and the small class sizes led to impactful friendships. My time in the political science department has prepared me to enter the realm of politics with a confidence that I would not otherwise have." Moriah is a Research Assistant with the Pegasus Institute.
Brooke Kramer '20
"The political science major at JBU opened more doors for me than anything else. Because of the faculty, classroom material, and experiential learning embedded in the major, I was able to get a job before graduation with an organization that aligns completely with my values and ambitions. The major allowed me to study abroad twice, graduate early, travel to conferences, win awards at competitions, and secure three amazing internships. The department has events on and off campus that have informed my professional, spiritual, and academic development. The faculty facilitate a community that challenges and encourages, while promoting an environment of diversity of thought. The major is not just for those wanting to work in professional politics, but in any number of future careers. The political science major has been immeasurably formative and impactful during my time at JBU.” Brooke is Legislative Correspondent for Sen. James Lankford (R-OK).
Grace Mayes Schieffer '20
“Through the political science major I was able to learn about people and what makes them think the way they do, and that's been a huge benefit to me as I’ve gone through law school and completed multiple internships. I regularly draw on the skills I learned through the program in law school and at work, and the simultaneous depth and breadth of the major put me at an advantage when I got to law school. The major opened doors to a study abroad program, internships, law school, and an understanding of the world that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else. Nothing was more formative during my college years, and it continues to shape me now.” Grace Mayes Schieffer is a student at Georgetown University Law Center.
Meet our Political Science professors
Questions? Contact Dr. Daniel Bennett at dbennett@jbu.edu.
