Political Science Major

About the Political Science Major

As a Political Science major, you’ll wrestle with some of the most fundamental questions underlying faith and the political order. What is the relationship between Christian principles and public policy? How can Christians model both the character and truth of Jesus Christ in the public square? How should we all live in local, national, and global community?

As you explore these questions, you’ll receive broad training in political philosophy, government, law, public policy, geopolitics, international relations, and the political behavior of individuals and groups. You’ll also receive peer support and have a chance to participate in SPU's Political Union, a nonpartisan student group.

Degree Requirements

Political Science students are required to take 55 credits minimum, including a 36 upper-division credits.

Pre-Law Studies

Many of our Political Science students pursue law school after graduation. And although the American Bar Association (ABA) does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education, a bachelor’s degree is required for successful admission to any law school.

Students attend law school from almost every academic discipline and are not required to take any specific prerequisite courses. Nonetheless, courses that help students develop skills in problem solving, critical reading, research and writing, and the mechanics of legal institutions, and the law can provide a solid foundation for future legal education. SBGE’s Politics, Philosophy, and Economics program is unique in that it offers a range of traditional pre-law academic majors, and it can help students hone these skills using some of the various disciplinary lenses students can expect to see in law school. Many pre-law students choose one (or two) of these majors, or simply something different that interests and engages them.

For more information about preparing for law school, visit www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/pre_law/.

Students in any major who might benefit from connecting with professionals in the legal field are strongly encouraged to participate in the Mentor Program. Those who wish to speak with a faculty advisor about pursuing pre-legal studies should contact PPE faculty contact, Dr. Kenman Wong, political science faculty contact Dr. Ruth Ediger, or any advisor in their chosen field of study.

Internships

All Political Science majors gain experience through internships, and will take a pre-internship class to help them find and apply for a qualified internship. SPU students have held internships at leading local businesses and industries such as Starbucks, Boeing, Microsoft, the Seattle Mariners, and Merrill Lynch.

In addition to the required internship for Political Science majors, students may elect to gain even more real-world experience through additional jobs and internships. SPU's Center for Career and Calling offers online internship resources. Students and employers also use SPU's internship and job posting system, Handshake, which is updated weekly.

Career Opportunities

Faculty Contact

Ruth Ediger

Professor of Political Science
PhD, University of Nebraska

Email: ediger@spu.edu
Phone: 206-281-2937
Office: McKenna Hall 225