Co-op/
Internship Encouraged
Salary and Career Info
Political Science BS
A political science major that integrates the fields of American government and international relations to prepare you to become a principled leader and responsible citizen in public and private sector careers.
Program skills
Through exciting tracks in politics and life sciences, digital politics and organization, and political institutions, students study the influence of recent advances in biology and biotechnology on how we understand ourselves as human beings and citizens, or the use of information technology for political organization and communication. There are few undergraduate political science majors in the country that so fully incorporate both these fields into their curricula, including the opportunity to take courses from the biology and information technology departments as part of their program requirements.
Program job titles
Teacher; Admissions Counselor; Lawyer; Social Services; Political Consultant; Civil Service; Politician; Journalist; Non-Governmental Organization; Marketing; Corporate Advisor
Program significant points
- Students may pursue a double major in political science and a secondary area. Students have combined political science with a double major in diverse fields such as computer science, criminal justice, economics, and philosophy.
- An accelerated 4+1 option is available for students who wish to earn a BS in political science and an MBA. The option is offered in conjunction with Saunders College of Business and allows students to obtain both degrees in five years of study.
Select program hiring partners
Peace Corps; AmeriCorps; Rochester Institute of Technology; Sorenson Communications; YMCA; City of Rochester
87.5%
Outcome Rates for Political Science BS
Total percentage of graduates who have entered the workforce, enrolled in full-time graduate study, or are pursuing alternative plans (military service, volunteering, etc.).
88.89%
Knowledge Rate
Total percentage of graduates for whom RIT has verifiable data, compared to national average knowledge rate of 41% per NACE.
| Outcome | % of Students |
|---|---|
| Employed | 50.00% |
| Full-time Graduate Study | 25.00% |
| Alternative Plans | 12.50% |
Experiential Learning
Cooperative Education and Internships
What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries.
Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. A liberal arts co-op provides hands-on experience that enables you to apply your knowledge in professional settings while you make valuable connections between course work and real-world applications.
Students in the political science major are encouraged to complete a cooperative education, internship, or study abroad experience.
Beginning in the third year, you may participate in cooperative education or an internship, both of which provide you with hands-on experience in a variety of environments, from government agencies, non-profits, and non-governmental agencies to political campaigns. Through these experiences, you will gain employment experience as well as the opportunity to further develop skills in their chosen profession.
Opportunities to study abroad enhance your understanding of global politics and culture. You may study full-time at a variety of host schools and are able to select courses in their major as well as liberal arts courses. Visit RIT Global to learn more about the range of study abroad programs and opportunities available.