Saint Francis University

What will I study and learn?

Political scientists study governments, their practices, and philosophies. They study how power is acquired and exercised. They study how authoritative policy decisions are made concerning who gets what in society. In short, they study government, elections, political parties, interest groups, social movements, public policy, law, international relations and foreign policy.

The political science program is designed to inform students' interest in politics, to develop a deeper and fuller understanding of the political process, in short, to provide a solid conceptual foundation that can be built upon in their later lives as citizens.

You will learn how to design research. You will learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret data using a variety of qualitative and statistical techniques and information technologies. You will learn how to evaluate competing arguments, to probe for logical flaws, to take positions, and to defend them. The study of political science helps students develop reasoning and analytical skills, as well as oral and written communication skills. You will learn how to solve problems, by working creatively with others in the pursuit of innovative solutions.

You will develop skills that will be extremely useful regardless of your ultimate career choice. A political science major does not prepare students for a single career in the same way that some other majors do; it prepares them for many. In an age when people can be expected to change jobs and even careers many times over the course of a working lifetime, the versatility of our program is one of its major strengths.

Are internships available for political science majors?

Internships are available at the local, state and national level. Internships are excellent learning opportunities and provide valuable work experience that will come in handy after graduation. Our students have enjoyed and learned much from their many internship experiences. Local internships are available with local government, law offices, and the non-profit sector. State-level internships are available in the state capital, Harrisburg.

National internships in all three branches of government, across a wide range of government agencies, and with a variety of interest groups and non-profits are available in Washington, DC through the Washington Center and the Washington Internship Institute.

The Ann Eppard Memorial Scholarship and Congressional Internship program offers the successful student candidate from Saint Francis University a congressional internship where she will learn about the legislative process first-hand.

What else will I do as a political science major?

Co-curricular opportunities abound. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Pre-Law Club, to qualify for membership in the Upsilon Tau chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, and to participate in an active Student Government Association.

Moot Court Exercises are sponsored annually by the Pre-Law Club to challenge students studying constitutional law or civil rights and civil liberties to put their knowledge to work in presenting, debating and deciding a hypothetical case, while serving as members of the "United States Supreme Court of Loretto."

Highly qualified students will be awarded Departmental Fellowships and given the opportunity to contribute to the scholarly and public service activities of the Center for the Study of Government and Law and the History and Political Science Department. Each Fellowship carries a monetary award included in the student’s financial aid package.

Political science majors plan, organize and carry out the quadrennial National Mock (Party) Convention. Students serve as convention delegates to select a presidential and vice-presidential ticket for the party out of the White House, draft a party platform and participate in other activities that parallel "real" party conventions. Recent keynote speakers have been former Congressman, Lee H. Hamilton (2008), former Maryland Governor, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (2004), and Marlin Fitzwater (2000), former press secretary for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Study abroad opportunities abound and are encouraged. International experience is a necessity in an era of globalization, not a luxury. Saint Francis University faculty sponsor study abroad programs every year in Mexico, Italy and France. The University sponsors a Semester in France program each fall and spring semesters. Study abroad opportunities in England, Ireland, Australia and elsewhere are also available through the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad. Many SFU faculty participate in their programs. Visit the SFU Center for International Education and Outreach for more information on these opportunities.

Can I get a job or get into graduate school if I study Political Science?

In a word -- Yes! Training in political science is very useful for those planning to pursue careers in law, teaching, journalism, or government service. The government itself is a large employer. There are presently about 2.5 million positions with the federal government and almost 16 million positions with state and local governments. Job opportunities also exist with interest groups, the non-profit sector, urban planning agencies, the military, colleges and universities, and business.

Political science helps to prepare prepares students for graduate study and/or careers in the law and legal research careers, government service, public policy analysis, urban and regional planning, intelligence and national security analysis, the Foreign Service, market and survey research, political campaigns and elections, political consulting, Federal law enforcement, military service, government accounting and auditing, budget analysis, political journalism and broadcasting, public relations, public interest advocacy, community organizing and activism, social studies teaching, and executive positions in the business field.

Political Science majors have pursued law degrees or graduate study at the following institutions: Bowling Green University, Boston College, Catholic University, University of Dayton, Dickinson College, Duquesne University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Kent State University, Lehigh University, Ohio Northern University, Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, Syracuse University, Temple University, Tulane University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pittsburgh, Villanova University, University of Vermont, University of Virginia, Washington and Lee University, and West Virginia University.