Political Science
Political Science—the study of government and politics—deals with the perennial issues of power, authority, freedom, and order in societies and on the international scene. A degree in political science from Oklahoma City University opens doors to some of the most compelling careers and postgraduate work around.
Law School
An advanced degree in law offers students a wide variety of specializations, the opportunity for a good paying career, and the satisfaction of being involved in public service. We have a track which we specifically recommend for Political Science majors who are considering law school.
Advanced Degrees
Students who go on for a doctorate typically are interested in teaching or research at the university level. There are also specialized professional masters programs that can lead to an emphasis in public administration, public policy analysis, international relations, and political campaign management.
Business Sector
Political Science generally offers a good background or
preparation for graduate study in business or jobs related to
international business and trade.
Public Administration, Public Affairs, Domestic or International
Majors can either look for an advanced degree in some of the subfields
listed above or can pursue jobs in governmental agencies, professional
or interest group organizations, government relations divisions of
corporations, consulting and marketing, or jobs in the expanding sector
of NGOs.
Teaching
Many graduates find careers within primary and secondary teaching areas related to Social Studies.
Journalism
Political Science courses tend to be writing intensive and build the kind of analytical expertise a reporter would need. For more information, read "An Ideal Liberal Arts Major: Political Science," on the American Political Science Association's website.
Student Testimonials
Justis Huddleston, Political Science/Mass Communications Graduate 2016
“I chose OCU because of its proximity to the State Capitol, small class sizes, and excellent political science department. The professionalism and dedication of the faculty to the students has never ceased to amaze me. What begins as a mere interest in politics and law can be blossomed into a full-fledged 0passion for political science through the guidance of the wonderful professors in the Political Science department. A degree from OCU means a lot, and a degree in Political Science from OCU means even more.”
Chance Johnson, Political Science Graduate 2016, Ohio State University Law
“The discussion based learning experiences I had in my political science courses were very valuable in preparing me for the more vigorous Socratic methods used in law school. Learning to articulate my thoughts in a coherent and succinct way gave me a clear advantage over some of my classmates when interacting with my law professors. I really appreciated the smaller class sizes in the political science program as well. They allowed me to develop a sense of confidence in my ability to contribute to a learning environment, which has translated well to the next level of higher education.”
Alex McNay, Political Science Graduate 2015, Works in Non-Profit
“All the classes I took at OCU contained enough of a framework for me to grasp all essential concepts, but also allowed me to study areas within these topics that I was personally interested in. This has helped me generate genuine interest and passion for my studies and future career.”
Robin Ladd, Oxford Plan Graduate 2013, Harvard Law School
“The most important things were classroom discussions and my interactions with faculty. I was able to deepen my understanding of the political science discipline through listening and learning from my classmates' perspectives. Additionally, I was able to have close contact with faculty members who helped guide my education, by ensuring that I took courses that not only interested me, but also enriched my experience with the theory behind political science and philosophy.”
DeEtta Cravens, Political Science Graduate 2012, U.S. Foreign Service
“My favorite thing about OCU was its small size. First, the small campus allowed professors to get to know students and be able to support them outside the classroom. Political Science professor were always my go-to references because they knew me both inside and outside the classroom, which is a testament to how dedicated they were to my academic and professional development. The amount of contact I had with professors and administrators was invaluable. The second way the small size helped was inside the classroom. Being in a class of less than 20 students allowed for stimulating and demanding discussions in a way that a general seminar at a state school never could. Every week, I was pushed by the professors and by my classmates to think critically about my views, express them clearly, and defend them concisely. In all of my five years at OCU, I never took a course in which the professor just lectured. Students were expected to engage with the material in a substantive way, and with such small class sizes, you couldn't get away with sitting quietly in the back. It forced me to be prepared and knowledgeable every class session.”
Bailey Perkins, Political Science/History Graduate 2012, Oklahoma Policy Institute
“I enrolled into the Oklahoma City University Political Science program during the second semester of my freshman year after realizing how much I enjoyed my Governance in America general education course. Majoring in Political Science at Oklahoma City University was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My desire for a dream career in public policy and advocacy developed because of my studies and involvement at OCU. I left the Political Science program prepared for graduate studies and with the tools I needed to succeed in this field. Not only were the classes and assignments given by my professors relevant (like Election Seminar during midterm elections and Introduction to Public Policy), but I felt during my four years at OCU that my professors cared about my well-being as much as my academic success. I knew that any time, I could go to Dr. Johnson, Dr. Daadaoui, or Professor Huston’s office for advice, encouragement or concerns. They also felt comfortable asking me “what’s going on?” “are you okay?” when I overexerted myself in extracurricular activities or pushing me when they knew that I could do better work.”