Opportunities

Experiential Learning

• The department's biennial trip to Washington, D.C. Approximately 45 political science students and faculty spend two days with department alumni, learning about careers in business, law, and public policy, as well as government.
• Internships. Twelve internships have been established with local agencies and individuals (see Courses); each provides job experience as well as academic credit. Students may also arrange internships independently or through the Office of Career Services. For example, a student recently participated in the White House Internship Program, working in the Public Liaison Office.
• Washington Semester at American University or Washington Center. Participants study source materials and government institutions while gaining internship experience in the nation's capital.

Other Special Opportunities

• Departmental governance. Student representatives join weekly department meetings.
• Many cocurricular opportunities, including Allegheny Student Government, Young Democrats, College Republicans, World Issues Forum, Debate Team, and an Amnesty International chapter.
• Students and faculty attend a Model United Nations Conference held at Harvard, as well as a Model NATO Conference held at Howard University (Washington, D.C.).
• Pi Sigma Alpha annually grants an award for the best oral presentation of a Senior Project.
• Student-run mock conventions, elections, U.S. Supreme Court.

Graduate School and Law School

• About 50% of our majors attend graduate or professional school eventually.
• About 30% go on directly, with a 90% acceptance rate.
• Recent schools include:
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University of Virginia Law School
  • Georgetown University
  • Cornell Law School
  • Duke University
  • University of Pennsylvania Law School
• The most popular fields of study include: public administration, public policy, international relations, law, political science.

Career Data

• About 60% of our majors seek employment directly following graduation.
• The most popular places of work for those with bachelor's degrees: administrative agencies, advocacy groups, Congress, state legislatures, banks, businesses, newspapers.
• The most popular fields of employment for those with advanced degrees: consulting, public policy, research, law, government service, teaching.

Other Opportunities

• Students and faculty attend a Model United Nations Conference held at Harvard, as well as a Model NATO Conference in Washington, D.C.
• Departmental governance: student representatives join weekly department meetings.
• Many cocurricular opportunities, including Allegheny Student Government, Young Democrats, College Republicans, World Issues Forum, Debate Team, and Amnesty International.
• The Center for Political Participation (CPP) plans and supports events that encourage political participation; top students are chosen to help run the center.
• Pi Sigma annually grants an award for the best oral presentation of a Senior Project.
• Student-run mock conventions, elections, U.S. Supreme Court.