Political Science

Students in the political science program at St. Cloud State University learn how governments and political parties influence policies and practices around the world. You'll study the role voters, nonvoters and polling play in political and government decision-making. Through a range of core courses, you'll get a local and global perspective on government, international relations and political theory. Your internship and campus activities and organizations will give you a chance to put what you learn into practice. As a political science graduate you'll have options for work in government, law or education.

Program Requirements Department of Political Science Political Science Scholarships Minnesota Transfer Pathway

Program Highlights

• The Political Science discipline is also available as a minor to complement another major. Email Dr. Jim Cottrill to express your interest in adding the minor to your program of study. 
• Honors Program provides opportunity for an independent senior honors project to students who have a 3.5 political science grade point average (GPA) and 3.25 coursework GPA.
• Practical experience in congressional offices, political campaigns, law offices and with Minnesota legislators or various national, state, and local agencies that often leads to permanent positions.
• Research opportunities through SCSU Survey.
• Bachelor of science path for those interested in teaching.
• Bachelor of arts leads to law school, graduate school or public service careers.
• Campus organizations and opportunities to develop leadership skills, networking and socializing.
• Select classes are available online.

Program Distinctions

• Department faculty includes three alumni of the U.S. Fulbright Scholars program, including Jason Lindsey, associate professor and department chairman, who taught at Yaroslav the Wise Law Academy of Ukraine in spring 2013.
• Fifty students each year work as directors or interviewers for SCSU Survey, a respected statewide polling arm of the Department of Political Science. Students develop questions, lead polling and analysis and publicize the results for about six surveys a year.
• Nate Silver, New York Times survey analyst and political writer, ranked the 2012 fall survey's presidential poll No. 3 for accuracy and bias control among polls that conducted fewer than five polls.

University Facts & Stats

• 93% of political science graduates employed
• 15 members of the 2013-14 Minnesota Legislature are St. Cloud State grads

• 1,100+ international students

• 22 campus organizations address political and social concerns

• 39 Education Abroad programs offered