Overview

Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They research political ideas and analyze government’s, policies, political trends, and related issues.

Is becoming a political scientist right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do

How to become a Political Scientist

The most important quality is a healthy curiosity and the desire to understand. The political scientist is an asker of questions and a seeker of truth. The questions posed must be answerable, at least in principle. Training in political science is a matter of becoming more skilled in asking questions and in finding the material for answering them. For those subfields that touch on quantitative matters, such as economic policy or public opinion polling, skill with statistics is essential. In more philosophical subfields, ability to analyze abstract logical relationships and to present reasoned and persuasive arguments is a valuable skill. In fields like international relations, fluency and facility in a particular foreign language and ability to adapt to different cultures is often very helpful.

In order to secure a university position as a political scientist, some degree of formal study is normally required. This typically means at least some post-graduate work in a university. In many countries this process culminates in the completion of a dissertation and the granting of a doctorate. For some non-university positions, such as with a government agency or a “think tank”, a doctorate might not always be required. The requirement will vary depending on the needs of the particular agency or organization. One should never just assume that a doctorate is an absolute prerequisite for a particular job.

What is this career like?

Political scientists typically work full time in an office. They sometimes work additional hours to finish reports and meet deadlines.

Some of the things a political scientist might do:

• Research political subjects, such as the U.S. political system and foreign relations
• Collect and analyze data from sources such as public opinion surveys
• Develop and test political theories
• Evaluate the effects of policies and laws on government, businesses, and people
• Monitor current events, policy decisions, and other related issues
• Forecast political, economic, and social trends
• Submit research results by giving presentations and publishing articles

What skills are needed?

• Analytical skills: Political scientists often use qualitative and quantitative research methods. They require analytical skills to collect, evaluate, and interpret data.
• Communication skills: Political scientists often collaborate with other researchers when writing reports or giving presentations. They must communicate their findings to a wide variety of audiences.
• Creativity: Political scientists must continually explore new ideas and information to produce original papers and research. They must stay current on political subjects and come up with new ways to think about and address issues.
• Critical-thinking skills: Political scientists must be able to examine and process available information and draw logical conclusions from their findings.

What is the pay?

The average pay for political scientists in the United States ranges from $60,960 to $164,210 as of May 2019.

The specific pay depends on factors such as level of experience, education and training, geographic location, and specific industry.

What is the career outlook?

Employment of political scientists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Political scientists will continue to be needed in government to assess the impact of government policies, such as the efficiencies of public services, effects of budget changes, and advantages of proposed improvements.

Organizations that research or advocate for specific causes, such as immigration policy, healthcare, or the environment, also need political scientists to analyze policies relating to their field.

What education is required?

Most political scientists need to complete either a master’s or Ph.D. program. To be admitted to a graduate program, applicants should complete undergraduate courses in political science, writing, and statistics. Applicants also benefit from having related work or internship experience.

Some political scientists also complete a Ph.D. program, which requires several years of coursework followed by independent research for a dissertation. Most Ph.D. candidates choose to specialize in one of four primary subfields of political science: national politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory.