GUIDE TO MAJORS AND PROGRAMS
College of Arts & Sciences
Political Science
Overview
Political science is a multifaceted discipline that
focuses on the functions of governments. The
topics studied by political scientists range from
public opinion, elections and interest groups
to comparative government, international
relations, security studies, political philosophy,
constitutional law and legislative behavior.
With such a wide range of options, political
science students have substantial freedom to
tailor their courses of study to meet individual
goals and interests. Good communication
and analytical skills and a solid, broad-based
background in the arts and sciences are some of
the most important requirements for success in
the field.
Professional options
Careers
Many political scientists find positions in the
business community as public liaison experts,
lobbyists or market researchers. Others pursue
graduate degrees in political science, law or
public administration. Others have gone into
government and politics as:
n Elected representatives at every level of
government
n Political advisors to candidates and
officeholders
n Staff members in the offices of members of
Congress or in congressional and executive
agencies
n Career civil servants and foreign service
officers
n Officials in state and local governments
n Employees of the United Nations and other
international agencies
n Staff members of political parties
n Members of the armed forces
Points of pride
Kansas State University ranks first among
public research universities for national CASE/
Carnegie Professor of the Year winners. The
Princeton Review picked K-State among
the best colleges in the country. K-State is a
national leader among public universities in its
total of Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater
and Udall scholarship winners.
The Chronicle of Higher Education has reported
that among students graduating in 18 academic
and pre-professional undergraduate majors,
political science graduates ranked among the
highest in satisfaction with job opportunities.
New careers are developing in a number of
rapidly growing fields, including:
n Risk analysis: Examination of the
political stability and outlook of
foreign governments for the American
government, international organizations
and businesses
n Political consulting: Political organizations,
managing campaigns, polling and public
relations
n Careers in research institutions: Individual
and team research with nonprofit
foundations, international bodies and other
private groups
n Security studies: Analysis of security issues
and terrorist threats facing the U.S. and
other countries
An undergraduate degree in political science
prepares you for graduate study in the discipline,
but is also a foundation for a wide variety of
other graduate and professional studies. Many
political scientists go into academic careers,
and practically every college and university in
the United States employs political scientists
as faculty and administrators. Other graduates
find nonacademic positions, and some combine
academic and nonacademic careers.
Job experience
Students wanting practical experience in
politics or government service may earn up
to 6 undergraduate credits for an internship
program. Interns have worked on election
campaigns, on the staffs of elected officials
and with branches of government at all levels.
Students may make arrangements to earn up
to 6 hours of credit at the American University
in Washington, D.C. This experience is often
combined with the internship.
Graduate students have been successful in
competition for the highly selective Presidential
Management Internships.
k-state.edu/admissions/academics
Academics
Degree options
Undergraduate level
In addition to the general college requirements
that all students must meet, the department
requires students to take courses in each of the
subfields: American government, comparative
politics, international relations and political
thought. The department has a wide range of
electives to complement each subfield.
The program is also flexible, and students are
encouraged to take classes in other departments
to complement their interests. Students are
encouraged to do internships as well as study
abroad.
Secondary majors and minors are available
for students in various fields of interest.
Specialized curricula are available in women’s
studies, international studies, pre-law, labor and
environmental sciences. A number of students
use the double major or dual degree provisions
of the university to graduate with majors in
two departments or colleges. Among the
combinations used frequently are double majors
in political science and economics or journalism,
or dual degrees in political science and business.
Concurrent degree
The concurrent degree allows students to
maximize their potential while reducing their
time in the classroom. With careful academic
planning, students may earn both a bacherlor’s
degree and a Master of Public Administration in
less than six years. Please refer to the political
science website, k-state.edu/polsci, for more
information.
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
The M.P.A. is a professional degree that prepares
students for a broad range of public service
careers. While all students take basic core
courses in the department, they also will have
an emphasis in a policy or administrative area
of their choice. Students also gain practical
administrative experience through the
internship program. The requirements for this
degree meet the national guidelines for the
M.P.A. established by the National Association of
Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, as it
is accredited by NASPAA.
Master of Arts in political science
The M.A. program meets the educational and
professional needs of students who are:
n Planning to become high school teachers
or instructors in two-year colleges
n Seeking to improve their qualifications for
or understanding of political life
n Preparing for a doctorate or other
advanced degree
The degree requirements are structured to
provide students with a mature grasp of
politics, a respect for intellectual integrity
and an ability to communicate effectively.
Graduate work in political science is offered in
American government and politics, comparative
government and politics, international relations
and political thought.
Master of Arts in security studies
This is a rigorous, interdisciplinary, professional
degree providing a broad, analytical framework
for understanding international security
issues. Course work concentrates on issues of
strategy, politics, economics and society from
both historical and social science perspectives.
Although this is a professional M.A., its focus will
be on issues complementing those emphasized
in the military’s professional training.
Doctor of Philosophy in security studies
This is a rigorous, interdisciplinary, program
intended to prepare students for careers in
research, teaching and international affairs
through a broad exploration of issues relating
to international security. Many students will
already have a Master of Arts in security studies
at K-State, but this is not required. Students with
other relevant master’s degrees may apply to
the Ph.D. program directly.
Faculty
A major strength of the department is its
dedicated faculty with a range of interests
and experiences at the local, state, national
and international levels of government and
politics. All faculty members hold doctorates
and have published research extensively in
their fields. Their writings, participation in
professional organizations, speeches and other
activities have earned the department national
recognition.
Financial assistance
Scholarships
Aside from financial aid available from other
university sources, the department awards a
number of scholarships. These normally are not
awarded to freshmen but may be applied for
later. A number of students have also competed
successfully for study abroad scholarships
in places such as Germany and Great Britain
through the study abroad office on campus.
K-State has been one of the most successful
universities in the prestigious Truman
Scholarship competition. Two-thirds of K-State’s
Truman scholars have been political science
majors. Political science majors have also
been successful in international scholarship
competitions for the Rhodes, Fulbright and
Rotary scholarships.
For more information about
political science, contact:
Department of Political Science
Kansas State University
244 Waters Hall
1603 Old Claflin Pl
Manhattan, KS 66506–4030
785-532-6842
polsci@k-state.edu
k-state.edu/polsci
For more information about
Kansas State University, contact:
Office of Admissions
Kansas State University
119 Anderson Hall
919 Mid-Campus Dr North
Manhattan, KS 66506–0102
1-800-432-8270 (toll free) or
785-532-6250
k-state@k-state.edu
k-state.edu/admissions
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may be reached at 103 Edwards Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
66506, (785) 532-6277.
2016