Political Science

Department Overview

Improve society to help people flourish.

Build a broad foundation, find your passion.

From international and comparative politics to classical and modern political thought, political parties, and regional politics, our program lays a solid foundation balancing major subfields, methodology, and political philosophy. You can pursue your interests through minors in National Security Studies or Pre-Law – or add a major or minor from another department to bolster your career goals and open new doors. Additionally, you may choose to study experientially through faculty-led travel courses to historic sites like Jefferson’s Monticello home.

Engage with faculty, gain perspective.

Our faculty serve as intentional and accessible mentors in and out of the classroom, assisting you individually to pursue your calling with passion and conviction. Coming from different backgrounds and areas of expertise — including experts on Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and communism — faculty encourage dialogue and will help you gain perspective. They will also equip you to navigate our highly globalized world. Faculty regularly recruit students to collaborate with them on research for publications, and they help facilitate networking opportunities with successful alumni and well-known political figures around the country.

Grow professionally.

Internships – With a vast alumni network across the country and many connections in Washington, D.C., you will have many opportunities to participate in internships, research projects, and conferences as you solidify your professional goals. Our students regularly obtain internships with organizations like The Heritage Foundation, USA Today, Charles Koch Institute, U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, and all levels of government — many of which lead to full-time employment after graduation.

Get involved – You can also develop your skills with student-led publications and organizations such as the Journal of Law & Public Policy, our highly successful debate team, The Collegian newspaper, Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honorary), and the Law Society.

The Institute for Faith & Freedom – Grove City’s very own think tank recruits student fellows to assist with research and marketing its activities. The Institute also boasts an on-campus media studio, outfitted with state-of-the-art camera equipment, soundproofing, and broadcast technology to allow its scholars and student fellows to join the larger conversation and expand their impact on national policy debates.

Enjoy amazing career outcomes.

Like 96% of our graduates, you will be ready to compete for exciting full-time positions or entry into distinguished graduate programs. Our accomplished students have gone on to pursue graduate degrees at schools including University of Virginia, London School of Economics, Michigan State, Georgetown, George Washington, and Top 25 law schools like Columbia, Harvard, University of Chicago, and UVA. If you aspire to study law, you will benefit from excellent training that prepares our students to score in the 75th percentile nationally on the LSAT. Whether you build your career in the courtroom, on Capitol Hill, or with a think tank or other political organization, you will stand out with a strong skill set and big-picture vision. 

Department Fact Sheet

The Institute for Faith & Freedom

The Institute for Faith & Freedom (the College’s think tank that operates independently from the political science department) is a forum for the study and application of freedom to economic, political, social, religious, and scientific issues. Student fellows benefit from real-world experiences in marketing, research, and event management, as well as broadcasting from our state-of-the-art media studio housed on campus. Explore our scholarship, attend an upcoming lecture, and consider an investment in our essential work.