Political Science Degrees

What is a Political Science Degree?

Political Science degree holders are often called sociologists.  They study society by examining the groups (culture, organization, social circles) that people join and the activities these groups participate in, such as religion, political parties, and business endeavors. 

Professionals with a political science degree then analyze crime, technology, social movements, and illnesses to see how these interactions affect the daily lives of each group.  Political Science professionals analyze this data to help explain social trends or to enable people to make better informed decisions in the future.  Their results are used by educators, lawmakers, administrators, and other influential professionals who are interested in rectifying social problems and creating policies for the public good.

Most Political Science degree students specialize in one area, such as:

• Social organization
• Stratification
• Mobility
• Racial and Ethnic relations
• Education
• Family
• Social Psychology
• Urban
• Rural
• Comparative Sociology

Political Science professionals, or Political Scientists, work a normal workweek in an office—either alone or on a team.  They spend most of their time researching and reading or writing articles and reports.  Much like professional writers, political scientists are subject to deadlines, tight schedules, and the pressures of writing.  Political scientists who choose to work at colleges and universities typically work varied hours and split their time between teaching, researching, writing, and other duties.

For an entry-level position as a market analyst, research assistant, writer, or policy analyst, a bachelor's degree in political science is required.  Professionals with experience and continued education are more eligible for research and administrative positions.  Political Scientists must be trained in statistics and mathematics because they are increasingly using mathematical and quantitative research methods. It's essential that political scientists are proficient with computers for research purposes.

Skills that are necessary for political science students to succeed are excellent written and oral communication skills—you must be able to report your research concisely and collaborate clearly with others.  It's also critical that students considering a political science degree are intellectually curious and creative—those traits serve as motivators to discover new information about people, things, and ideas.  In order to analyze complicated ideas, political science professionals pride themselves on their ability to think logically and methodically.   

Are you nodding your head yes to the above skills and thinking methods?  The job outlook for political scientists is expected to grow faster than average through 2018 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).  Political scientists earn between $51,110 and $92,220 annually.

If you're a political-debate enthusiast seeking a highly-respected and useful career, fill out the form on our page to find out how you can be enrolled in a political science degree program today!