Political Science

Majors & Minors
Political Science

Political Science

“This program and Moot Court have prepared me very well for being able to see both sides of an issue, making case briefs, writing appellate briefs, and being able to argue and think on my feet — all of the really invaluable things for what's to come in law school.”

Meet political science major Olivia Guidry, who’s preparing for a career in law through Moot Court

You should major in political science if:

You’re passionate about government, policy, and law.
You want to make a difference in the world of government, law, and politics.
You enjoy learning how government works, debating ideas, and advocating for change.

A degree in political science lets you explore political institutions, activities, thoughts, and behavior. This can lead to careers in election and campaigns, lobbying, public policy and think tanks, law enforcement, private and public law practice, and all branches of government at the local, state, and national levels.

Through networking, internships, and seminars you’ll get hands-on experience learning about political philosophy, U.S. politics and policy, world politics, environmental policy, international organizations, state and local government, public administration, and the intersection of race, religion, and politics.

Choose to study in our political science major, or choose a concentration in international relations or pre-law. If you are in another major on campus, you can minor in American politics, political science, international relations, or law.

Political Science at �鶹��ý Lafayette

What's Political Science Like?

Lab work
Research
Writing
Internships
Reading
Theory

Home to �鶹��ý’s first and only nationally competitive Moot Court team

Students present arguments and compete to win cases before real judges and attorneys. Our team has been invited to the American Moot Court Association National Tournament every year and is ranked #5 nationally.

Life as a Political Science Major

�鶹��ý Gov. John Bel Edwards speaks on campus with political science students and community members.

Research & Lead

Gain all the tools you need to forge your own path as a leader and decision-maker. �鶹��ý Lafayette has a history of producing civil servants, elected officials, and advocates at all levels of government — including U.S. Ambassador Jefferson Caffery and Governor Kathleen Blanco. Political science majors also have the opportunity to study the past effects and future potential of �鶹��ý state law in the .

Internships

We connect you with internships at legislators’ offices in Washington, D.C., Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette. Students regularly work with local attorneys, judges, criminal justice agencies, nonprofit organizations, and political candidates. For many of our graduates, internships turn into part-time or full-time work.

Study Abroad

Explore other political systems and see foreign governments in action by studying in another country, including England, France, and Italy.

Student Organizations

Political science majors are leaders in every area across the University. Connect with students and professionals in the Political Science Club, the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society, College Democrats, College Republicans, Student Government Association, Pi Beta Lambda Law Club, and our nationally-recognized Speech & Debate and teams.

Concentrations in Political Science

The University of �鶹��ý at Lafayette's pre-law major gives you valuable experience with lawyers and judges to prepare you for law school

Pre-Law Concentration

Prepare for law school and legal practice in the pre-law concentration. Learn how the legal system operates, how the legislative and executive branches interact to create the laws, and judges' roles as referees and administrators.

Study international relations in the best political science program in �鶹��ý at �鶹��ý Lafayette

International Relations Concentration

Study foreign governments, political structures, and working relationships between governments in the international relations concentration. Prepare for careers in foreign service, national security, or international NGOs and non-profits.

Political Science Courses According to Students

Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year

UNIV 100: First-Year Seminar

with Dr. Christie Maloyed

I particularly enjoyed Dr. Maloyed’s class on food politics. The class covered the different politics of the food industry in the United States, ranging from where items are physically located in the supermarket to the lobbying of GMOs in the United States Congress.”

Jonathan Adams, political science major

POLS 370: Political Philosophy: Thinkers

with Dr. Bryan-Paul Frost

I love the political philosophy class because we look at books from insanely intelligent people like Plato, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and more. Their ideas can be complex and difficult to understand alone, but Dr. Frost does such a good job helping his classes understand the different ideas of each great thinker. I love having this knowledge under my belt — and the fact that I can take this class every year with new books written on different subjects.”

Skyla Sykes, political science major

POLS 375: Religion & Politics

with Dr. Christie Maloyed

The class opened my eyes to the fact that it’s not so much about religion, but culture. Now that I’m here in Thailand on an internship with the U.N., I’m working with so many people from different cultures and religions, and at the end of the day we’re all humans.”

Zayira Quiroz, political science major

POLS 385: Moot Court

with Dr. McKenzie Hall

Students act as practicing attorneys and our professors as Supreme Court justices. The goal is to win your case on appeal, but you have to recite dozens of cases while giving oral arguments, during which you can be interrupted to answer a question if prompted. This class challenged my knowledge about case law, and how quickly I can think on my feet. It definitely made me realize that I could become an attorney someday.”

Joshua England, political science major

Careers in Political Science

Melanie Benit

“Studying abroad changed the course of my life because I realized I didn’t want my career to be in a court room; I wanted to be in the thick of things, making real-time policy changes. Now, I find myself working for a national nonprofit law firm near DC. I’m on the ground in various states working in the court of public opinion."

Political Science '15

Activism Associate at the Institute for Justice

More about Melanie

Jobs in Political Science

Deputy Director of Policy
Political Correspondent
Lawyer
Public Policy Researcher
Issues Director
Lobbyist

Program Requirements

Admissions Requirements

To major in political science, you must meet the University's admissions requirements.

See the full admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements

You must earn a C or better in all major courses and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA to graduate with a degree in political science.

Your required courses will depend on which concentration you choose. See the required courses for:

If you are a political science major, you must also complete a minor outside of political science to graduate. Students pick from over 100 minors, usually in their sophomore year.

The general political science minor explores governments and the philosophical questions of civic participation and civil disobedience, along with rights, responsibilities, and liberties all in political environments.

To earn a minor in political science, you must complete 18 hours of specific political science courses, six of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.

The American politics minor focuses on the American model of governance, outlining the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, their responsibilities, and their relationships.

To earn a minor in American politics, you must complete 18 hours of specific political science courses, six of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.

The international relations minor explores the political systems in countries other than the United States. Learn how different countries interact with each other through diplomacy, foreign policy, defense and national security, and global economic trade.

To earn a minor in international relations, you must complete 18 hours of specific political science courses, six of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.

The law minor emphasizes the relationship between politics and the legislative and judicial systems. Because politics and government both influence how laws are made and enforced, law is intertwined with the study of political science.

To earn a minor in law, you must complete 18 hours of specific political science courses, six of which must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Resources

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Political Science

Meet political science major Olivia Guidry, who’s preparing for a career in law through Moot Court