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Northern Illinois University

Department of Political Science

Political science is an ideal liberal arts major for successful careers in:

  • Law
  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Local Government
  • Armed Services
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Business
  • Journalism
  • State Government
  • Diplomacy
  • National Security
  • Education
  • Public Service
  • Federal Government
  • Intelligence
  • Politics

Become a Political Science Major

If you are a prospective or current student in search of a major program of study, we encourage you to explore what the Department of Political Science can offer you.

An Overview 

Number of Undergraduate Majors: Nearly 500 (Very Popular Major on Campus)

Number of Professorial Faculty: 26

Undergraduate Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) 

Degree Emphases: Politics, Public Law, Public Administration & Service, and International Politics 

Required Credit Hours for a B.A. or B.S. Degree in Political Science: 36  

Required Credit Hours for a Minor in Political Science: 18  

Special Academic Opportunities: Department Honors, In-Course Honors, Internships, Independent Studies, and Study Abroad (including POLS courses through NIU at Oxford) 

Special Annual Academic Recognition Opportunities: Dean's Award, Joe R. Wilkinson Memorial Award, Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society, Political Science Scholars, Political Science Students of Distinction, Delegates to Student Conference on United States Affairs, Inez H. Nelson Family Scholarship in International Relations, McKeough Award for Outstanding Participation in the Political Process, Peters Public Service Scholarships, and Undergraduate Paper Awards 

Advantages of the Undergraduate Major in Political Science:

  • Explore cutting edge questions and contemporary issues
  • Broaden one's perspective as an educated citizen
  • Develop analytic and oral and written communication skills
  • Opportunities for active learning
  • Accessible and supportive faculty and staff
  • Department's longstanding reputation for teaching excellence
  • High-quality undergraduate advising
  • Pre-law advising
  • Established conduits for student feedback
  • Department commencement and awards ceremony
  • Political science-related activities outside the classroom
    • Model Illinois Government
    • Model United Nations
    • Phi Sigma Zeta -- Coeducational Political Science Fraternity
    • Political Science Student Advisory Committee (POLS-SAC)
    • Pre-Law Society
    • Special Events (Meet the Faculty Night, Career Night, Focus Groups, Guest Speakers, etc.)

The political science major prepares some students for advanced degree work. The Department offers three graduate degree programs:Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science,Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science 

Political Science Main Office: 415 Zulauf Hall
Department Chair: Professor Christopher Jones
Department Web Site: http://polisci.niu.edu/

Where to go to ask questions and to declare a major in political science:

  • Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Matt Streb -- ZH 407, 753-7046, mstreb@niu.edu
  • Assistant Chair (oversees undergraduate advising): Professor Greg Schmidt -- ZH 415 753-7039, gschmidt@niu.edu
  • Undergraduate Advisor: Shannon Silver -- ZH 420, 753-7045, slsilver@niu.edu
  • Undergraduate Studies Secretary: Karen Schweitzer -- ZH 415, 753-1015, karens@niu.edu