Resources and Opportunities
As a Political Science student, many resources and activities are available for you. Apply for a scholarship, study abroad and get involved in one of our student organizations. This page also includes helpful information such as your career outlook, tips for writing a term paper and resources for applying to law school.
Career Outlook for Political Science Majors
Many occupations today require a college-educated individual who can write and speak well, solve problems, learn new information quickly and work well with others on a team.
As a Political Science graduate, you’ll use your education in a wide variety of fields. Your future career may relate more to your personal career interests, work values and transferable skills than any specific academic major.
Obtaining experiences in a particular field is extremely important in preparing you for life after college. These experiences can be in the form of internships, part-time jobs or volunteer positions. Regardless, they allow you to develop specific knowledge and skills that help you solidify your career choice and improve your chances of employment in that field following graduation.
The following list a representative sample of job titles of former graduates with Political Science major. Use this as an idea list, and remember that it represents some, but certainly not all, of the careers you might consider.
Students obtaining employment immediately upon graduation are usually those with the best college records and a willingness to relocate to find a job. Some of these jobs also require education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Related Career Titles for Political Science Majors
Entry Level
- Assistant account executive
- Account service representative
- Activities specialist
- Assistant buyer
- Assistant consultant
- Campaign staffer
- Congressional aide
- Congressional research
- Environmental policy analyst
- Foreign service officer
- Historic preservationist
- Historic site interpreter
- International trade specialist
- Law enforcement officer
- Legal assistant
- Legislative assistant
- Lobbyist
- Management analyst
- Media analyst
- Paralegal
Our Scholarships
This fellowship will cover a year's tuition at SFSU minus $27.50 a semester (the amount of tuition it cost Professor Matt Stolz when he went to school).
This fellowship is based on two things: financial need and demonstrated interest in political theory. It is intended for undergraduate Political Science majors to pay for their senior year at SFSU and for incoming or present M.A. graduate students in Political Science to pay either for their first or second year of graduate school.
This award supports empirical political science and promotes empirical research for SFSU graduate students.
Please visit SFSU AcademicWorks for more information and to apply for scholarships
This award supports empirical political science and promotes empirical research for SFSU undergraduate students.
Please visit SFSU AcademicWorks for more information and to apply for scholarships
This merit award from the Haynes Foundation is given to a Political Science graduate student who is committed to “improving governance and polity in California politics.” It will be judged on your governance-related work or service, academic performance and career aspirations. Award: $1,000.
Please visit SFSU AcademicWorks for more information and to apply for scholarships.
This awards a student who has shown the “greatest commitment to improving society through political activism.” Award: $200.
Please visit SFSU AcademicWorks for more information and to apply for scholarships
This prize goes to an undergraduate who demonstrates excellence in the field of political theory. Award: $200.
The Matt Stolz Prize is named after a former Political Science professor who dedicated decades of his life to this program and also pursued a lifelong love of political theory. The prize honors his commitment and celebrates his life and his service to this department.
Please visit SFSU AcademicWorks for more information and to apply for scholarships.
Named in honor of former SFSU Professor Louis Wasserman, this prize is awarded for the best undergraduate and graduate papers in any subfield of the discipline of political science. Papers are evaluated on the basis of originality, writing, research, organization and contributions to the discipline. Award: $100 each. Winners are be honored at the Political Science Department Graduation and Awards Ceremony.
Please visit SFSU AcademicWorks for more information and to apply for scholarships.
This award gives up to five scholarships a year to Political Science undergraduate and graduate students based on merit and financial need. This fund is intended to cover educational-related costs. Award: Up to $400.
This scholarship was established thanks to the generous gift from the estate of Aaron M. Goldsmith (M.A., ’11). He passed away in 2018 but is warmly remembered for his rigorous work, sharp intellect and generosity of spirit.
Please visit SFSU AcademicWorks for more information and to apply for scholarships.
This scholarship awards promising undergraduate Political Science majors who demonstrate financial need and academic promise in the discipline.
Please visit SFSU AcademicWorks for more information and to apply for scholarships.
From Our Community
“Moot Court has taught me to see both sides of a given issue. I am able to clearly articulate the law, make an argument, and advocate in front of a panel of judges. But more importantly, moot court has given me lifelong friends and a coach, who play a tremendous role not only in my education but my path to law school, which I am forever grateful for.”
Additional Resources
Study Abroad
We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the study-abroad opportunities offered through the SFSU Office of International Programs.
A semester or year abroad fulfills the senior culminating experience requirement for Political Science majors (in place of the senior seminar). It also is often one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of undergraduate education. Studying abroad is particularly useful for Political Science students because time spent in another country gives you important new perspectives on other political systems and political cultures. Living in another country helps us learn a great deal more not only about the politics of that place, but also, through the comparative vantage point, about politics in the U.S. Many of the courses you take abroad can be counted toward key components of your major.
Political Science Websites
Law School Resources
For questions about applying to law school, please email Professor Nick Conway at nickconway@sfsu.edu or Professor Mark Leinauer at markleinauer@sfsu.edu
Law school workshop links
Register for your LSAC Account
Order additional Actual Prior LSAT Tests
Explore LSAT Test Prep Courses from KAPLAN
Sign up for your Credential Assembly Service
Helpful Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement