Department of Political Science and Public Administration

Political science is the study of politics: government, law, political behavior, public policy, and political philosophy. The political science curriculum is designed primarily to afford broad and modern training in the study of political institutions and political behavior for students in the liberal arts and majors planning graduate work. It also affords career-oriented or preprofessional training for teaching, law, business, public relations, or work in the mass media, domestic and foreign government service, the military, teaching, and a variety of active roles in politics.

On the graduate level, the Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers the Master of Public Administration, a professional degree for persons seeking training in public administration with specialization in local government and non-profit management. The department is also one of the social science departments that offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Public Policy. (For more information, see the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.)

Careers with Political Science

Political science majors gain analytical skills and communication abilities that are valued in a wide spectrum of potential career areas. An undergraduate degree in political science can lead to interesting careers in local, state, or federal government; law; private businesses; international organizations; the military; nonprofit organizations; political campaigns; journalism; teaching; public office; research and teaching at universities.