collageIt is not a useless degree, but you do have to plan out your life a little bit. Even if you aren’t great at math, make sure you are taking micro and macro economics and some statistics courses – these are prerequisites for most of the better poli-sci and international relations graduate schools.
Whether Students majoring in Political Science and want to know whether a degree in this subject is useful or not, obviously looking at overall statistics is one of the most objective ways of answering their question. As we all know, the superficial impression that may come through from such random sampling (and frankly any sample no matter how large) is that many graduates of Political Science end up working as waiters, shop assistants or do even worse things. This article will attempt to show some light on the matter and point out some basic trends that may impact the result and do the interpretation for you.
A degree in Political Science probably won’t get you that promotion, but it can really help you understand the world. Students of political science are taught to think critically about politics, our global environment, and how the past has shaped the present.
People with degrees in political science are often asked whether their degrees are useful. They can be confused by this question, as political science is a broad discipline that covers many different areas and careers. The question actually comes down to what type of political science degree you have and the career path you choose after graduating.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in political science, there are many different career paths that you could follow. For example, if you want to work in government, then having a degree in political science will help you get your foot in the door at an entry-level position. Once there, it’s up to you to prove yourself as someone who can make things happen within an organization and advance rapidly through the ranks.
If you want to pursue graduate studies and earn a master’s degree or PhD in political science, then having a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university will help get your foot into the door of graduate school. However, once again it’s up to YOU to prove yourself as someone who has what it takes to succeed academically at this level.
Is it hard to get a job with a Political Science degree
“Is a degree in political science useless? When someone gets a degree in political science, is it just a waste of money?” A recent graduate with a degree in political science wonders whether it was worth his time and money.
Political science is a versatile degree. It can springboard a career in politics and policy, nonprofit work, business, media, or education. The research, communication, and data analysis skills acquired in the study of political science also have wide applications in both the private and public sectors.
Becoming a political scientist, or someone who analyzes and proposes policy, usually requires at least a master’s or doctoral degree. With a BA or BS (each has slightly different course requirements), graduates can land an entry-level administrative, communication, or analyst job with a public sector organization, business, or nonprofit.
A Political Science (Po) degree is a very common degree to get. It teaches you a lot of valuable skills that would look great on a resume. Students who major in Po often say that it prepared them for a variety of careers. Some people think that a Po degree is useless, but they are wrong. By getting a Po degree, you could be opening doors to potential careers such as: law, international relations, policy analysis, audio/visual services, education and many more! In this article we will cover the basics of what a Po degree entails and what major companies hire Po majors.
Political science is also one of the traditional majors for undergraduates on their way to law school.
Is A Degree In Political Science Useless
Political Science jobs
Political science majors work in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Some apply their training directly to politics and policy, but the hard and soft skills developed through a political science curriculum can lead to diverse career paths.
| Field | Jobs for Political Science Majors |
|---|---|
| State/Local Government | Legislative assistant, policy analyst, staff assistant, press aide |
| Federal Government | Political scientist, agency administrator, legislative assistant, legislative director, press aide, policy analyst |
| Nonprofit | Advocate, development officer, policy researcher, program director, think tank fellow, communications coordinator |
| International Affairs | Diplomat, international NGO advisor |
| Private Business | Consultant, lobbyist |
| Media | Reporter, telejournalist, news anchor, radio host, writer, editor, social media manager |
| Marketing | Market researcher, advertising executive, creative director |
| Education | High school teacher (social studies, U.S. government, civics), librarian |
| Corporate | Public relations manager, human resources specialist, data analyst |
is a political science degree worth it
Whether you major in Political Science or not, a political science degree is still an amazingly flexible and useful degree which can serve you in many ways. A political science degree teaches you to think strategically, analyze your surroundings and how to work with others to achieve common goals.
Political science deals directly with the philosophy and practice of political systems, but the skills developed through political science courses are applicable to an array of industries.
While some college programs divide the subject in different ways, political science traditionally contains four subfields.
- POLITICAL THEORY: Students study human nature, citizen behavior, and the moral purpose of government, learning from a mix of ancient Greek philosophers and modern political theorists.
- COMPARATIVE POLITICS: Students evaluate the development and effectiveness of different political systems and consider how these systems can provide for citizens and support values like order and freedom. This subfield specifically looks at how systems diverge and align to discover general laws and theories.
- INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: Students analyze the interactions of international actors, including states, corporations, and organizations like the United Nations. This subfield covers a spectrum of global matters, such as war, trade, finance, development, and national security.
- AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: Students learn about the American political system, with its unique presidency, congress, courts, and state politics; they also delve into American policies and political ideas, and explore the role of mass media.
All political science degrees, whether an associate degree or Ph.D., fall under social sciences. Social sciences are usually considered a “soft” science, compared with a “hard,” objective science like chemistry or physics; however, political science is becoming increasingly data-driven.
A bachelor’s degree in political science can be earned as either a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS). The categorization and ability to choose your degree type vary among schools. If both options exist, their requirements will be slightly different.
| DEGREE | CURRICULUM | NEXT STEP | CAREER OUTLOOK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | English, American history, social science, major concepts of political science, macroeconomics | Prepares students to transfer to a bachelor’s program in political science as a junior. | Not sufficient for most jobs directly related to political science, but can prepare students for office administration. |
| Bachelor’s | Political theory, comparative politics, international relations, American government and politics, political methodology | BA or BS degree-holders can enter the job force or continue their education with graduate school or law studies. | Meets basic requirements for some entry-level positions at agencies, nonprofits, and companies. |
| Master’s | Political theory, philosophy, economics, behavior and institutions, security, peace and conflict, race and ethnicity, thesis | Intended to lead to a doctorate, but can replace work experience for professional advancement. | With a master’s degree, graduates can work as political scientists, high school teachers, and senior analysts. |
| Doctorate | Advanced political theory, quantitative research, modeling, statistics, dissertation | Terminal degree in political science. | A Ph.D. is required to work in academia and to hold specific leadership roles. |
Public administration — a related but distinct field to political science — prepares students for civil service work in the public and nonprofit sectors at the administrative level. Sometimes considered an offshoot of political science, public administration puts policy into practice.
If you’re pursuing a career as a public servant, an MPA could be preferable to a master’s in political science.
Compared with political science, public administration is less theoretical and more pragmatic, with a bigger focus on organization, conduct/ethics, and budgeting.
Many colleges offer undergraduate and graduate programs in public administration, while others offer public policy programs or combine public administration with business administration. A master of public administration (MPA) and master of public policy (MPP) are both considered professional degrees, similar to an MBA for business executives or a JD for lawyers.
If you’re pursuing a career as a public servant, an MPA could be preferable to a master’s in political science. A bachelor’s degree in political science is also considered a good springboard to public administration programs at the graduate level.
is politics degree useless
Political Science is a perfect subject for anyone interested in learning how political systems function, as well as those who aspire to develop essential critical thinking and analytical skills. A political science degree is worth it for many students. Some careers that require graduate studies include lawyer, political scientist, and historian. You may start with a bachelor’s degree in political science and go on to earn a masters or doctoral degree that can provide credentials for high-level employment.
Is political science a worthwhile degree?Yes, a political science degree is worth it for many students. … Some careers that require graduate studies include lawyer, political scientist, and historian. You may start with a bachelor’s degree in political science and go on to earn a masters or doctoral degree that can provide credentials for high-level employment.
political science degree jobs
Political science jobs are available at a variety of experience levels and allow the ability to specialize in sectors that interest you. While some positions might require additional education or training, others are entry-level, available to new college graduates or individuals with little professional experience.
Top 10 Jobs for Political Science Majors
- Policy Analyst.
- Legislative Assistant.
- Public Relations Specialist.
- Social Media Manager.
- Marketing Research Analyst.
- Political Consultant.
- Attorney.
- Intelligence Analyst.
So, is a degree in political science useless?
Well, it all depends on what you want to do. If you want to be a political scientist, then yes, it’s useless—because you have to have a master’s or PhD to work as one. But if you’re looking for an entry-level position in another field that requires a college degree and political science knowledge, then it’s not only useful—it’s essential.
A degree in political science will help you understand the world around us and how it works. It will give you the tools necessary for critical thinking and problem solving. And most importantly, it will prepare you for a career doing something meaningful with your life!
So don’t let anyone tell you that a degree in political science is useless. Instead, use this knowledge as motivation to pursue your dreams!
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