POLITICAL SCIENCE

The Political Science department at UW-Whitewater offers several standout programs, from majors to minors to certificates.

The analytical, written and oral communication, and critical thinking skills gained in a political science degree program serve as solid preparation for many more career paths as well as for graduate study and law school.

Political Science Education
Teaching middle and high school students how our government and legal system works — and how it fits into the context of our everyday lives — is rewarding. UW-Whitewater can prepare you for teacher certification in political science.

Whitewater to Wisconsin, Washington and the World
Many Warhawks take their careers in political science into office: They’ve served the state of Wisconsin and the United States through various elected and appointed positions, including various state representatives and senators, U.S. congress members, speakers of the Wisconsin State Assembly, chief of staff to the president of the United States, and the U.S. Ambassador to Norway. UW-Whitewater international students serve in their countries of origin, too, such as a minister of public works and transportation in Cyprus and a member of parliament in Turkey.

As you pursue your degree in political science at UW-Whitewater, you will gain hands-on experience in many ways, from mock trials in the classrooms to real-world experiences through internships.

Undergraduate research
When you major in political science, you will have the chance to work with a faculty member through UW-Whitewater’s Undergraduate Research Program. Our students have explored topics such as:

• The Electoral College
• Comparative State Budget Crisis
• Women in the West Wing
• Media Coverage of Politicians

Internships
We encourage all political science majors to pursue real-world experiences before graduation. Our students have interned at the local, county, state and national levels of government, as well as in business and public service. Our experienced, connected faculty help students find the right fit.

First-year political science students can live and learn with like-minded peers in the Legal Eagles Learning Community. You’ll share a residence hall and a common class that will take you on field trips to the Capitol, courtrooms and more.

Our department is home to student organizations such as:

• Law Society — This student group provides networking opportunities, career information and help with law school admissions.
• Pi Sigma Alpha — National Political Science Honor Society

Other campus groups that might appeal to a political science major include:

• Forensics (debate team)
• DREAM (Disability Rights, Education, Activism and Mentoring)
• Criminal Justice Organization
• Society for Human Resource Management

UW-Whitewater is also home to a diverse group of political and activism student groups.

Political science careers cover a broad range of fields, from government and education to service organizations and business. Examples include:

• Attorney
• Case manager
• Chief of external affairs
• Chief of staff, state congress member
• Conventions coordinator
• Director of legislative affairs, telecommunications
• Field director
• Governance specialist, banking
• Human resources manager
• Judicial assistant
• Legislative assistant
• Paralegal
• Party chair, state
• Policy advisor
• Research analyst
• Senior congressional advisor
• Senior policy analyst

UW-Whitewater political science majors find positions in law firms, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), all levels of government and more. Here are a few examples:

• Capital Area Regional Planning Commission
• City of New Berlin
• Democratic Party of Wisconsin
• Executive Office of the President of the United States
• Farmer’s Insurance
• Government of the District of Columbia
• Human Rights Campaign
• Naval History & Heritage Command
• Prudential Financial
• Republican Party of Wisconsin
• United Cerebral Palsy
• U.S. Department of State
• Virginia Department of Transportation
• Waukesha County
• Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
• Wisconsin Department of Justice
• Wisconsin Legislature (Assembly and Senate)
• Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
• Wisconsin State Capitol

Many of our political science alumni pursue graduate degrees at schools such as:

• Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College (public policy and management)
• Mississippi State University (sociology)
• Northwestern University (public policy and administration)
• UW-Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs

Many of our political science students have attended law schools such as:

• Boston University School of Law
• The John Marshall Law School (University of Illinois Chicago)
• Marquette University School of Law
• Northern Illinois University College of Law
• Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law
• The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
• Oklahoma City University School of Law
• Stetson University College of Law
• Suffolk University Law School
• The University of Memphis - Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
• University of Miami School of Law
• University of Wisconsin Law School
• Valparaiso University School of Law
• Washington University School of Law (St. Louis)

We have a diverse faculty with a range of teaching and research interests including:

• American political development
• Ballot design/voter decision-making
• Chinese political economy
• History of political thought
• Issues of poverty and development
• Politics of terrorism and counterterrorism
• Secessionism
• State and local government
• Technology’s role American politics and processes

Many of our faculty members actively engage with students in the undergraduate research program.

Meet our faculty

Want to learn more about earning a Political Science degree?
262-472-1120 | polisci@uww.edu