Saint Louis University's political science major can prepare SLU students for advanced study in various areas: law, public administration, international relations, urban affairs, business and political science. Political scientists study power, politics and various political processes, systems and behaviors. The discipline of political science covers many topics, from campaigns and elections in the United States to economic development and democratization worldwide to diplomacy and globalization. Political science majors learn to address big questions, such as what makes a government legitimate or what constitutes a good society. They also come to understand causes and mechanisms for addressing significant global challenges like terrorism, poverty, climate change and war. Political science students at Saint Louis University pursue jobs in government, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, education, law, journalism, diplomacy, survey research and fields related to promoting social justice. SLU's political science program is distinctive in its commitment to preparing students to become engaged citizens locally and globally. Students grapple with some of the most important social justice problems of the time, from racism and poverty at home to war, persistent underdevelopment and oppression abroad. The SLU political science department is big enough to offer a wide range of classes and small enough that students get individual attention from faculty. Students can study the politics of most areas of the world and global security and economic development issues. They can augment their study of politics with work in various distinctive interdisciplinary programs, including programs devoted to area studies (Asia, Russia and East Europe), global and local social justice, foreign service, political journalism, African American studies, gender studies and more.
Career Path
Graduate career path includes City Planner Assistant, Intelligence Analyst (Entry-Level), Election Analyst, Public Policy Researcher, Legislative Researcher, Public Administration Specialist, Government Program Evaluator, Peace & Conflict Resolution Specialist, International Security Analyst, Trade Policy Analyst, Global Migration Specialist, International Humanitarian Aid Coordinator, Global Governance Researcher, International Law Assistant, Political Risk Consultant, Corporate Lobbying Specialist, Political Economy Consultant, International Business Development Analyst, Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, Comparative Politics Research Assistant, Global Market Intelligence Analyst, Corporate Governance Analyst, Political Theory Research Assistant, Public Policy Think Tank Fellow, Electoral Studies Researcher, Curriculum Designer (Civic Education), Democracy Studies Research Assistant, Political Science Journal Editorial Assistant.
