Political Science
The Nebraska Difference
Curiosity
Discover what moves you with a diverse blend of academic disciplines.
Flexibility and Choice
Customize your degree with course choices. Add a minor or second major.
Hands-On Experience
Build knowledge, skills and experience in and out of the classroom.
Limitless Career Paths
Connect your major, interests and goals to any field.
Program Features
Focus and Range
Dive deep into your political science major while taking a wide variety of courses across all areas in the College of Arts and Sciences. Graduate academically well-rounded and eager to keep learning. Use your collaboration and communication skills to address complex problems and make a positive impact professionally and personally.
1-to-1 Academic Advising and Career Coaching
Along with your faculty, professional academic advisors and career coaches will help you make a one-of-a-kind degree plan. We are focused on your success, while at Nebraska and after graduation, whether your goal is employment or graduate/professional school.
National Security Studies
Political science is home to a unique minor in national security studies, where students engage in learning in and out of the classroom that makes them competitive for opportunities in the federal government within the intelligence community.
Notable Courses
Bureaucracy and the American Political System (POLS 210)
Survey of the administrative arm of American national, state and local government. Bureaucratic power, structure and democratic control.
Genetics, Brains, and Politics (POLS 250)
Role of genes, neural activity and physiology in shaping human behavior, especially political behavior.
Causes of War and Peace (POLS 263)
Leading theories on war and peace, highlighting the causes and consequences of WWI, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam and the Gulf War.
Political Persuasion and Advocacy Strategy (POLS 320)
Sources of political attitudes and preferences, and how to change them. Agenda-setting and recognizing opportunities for policy change.
Women and Politics (POLS 338)
Women as political actors. Participation in political life, barriers to participation, political attitudes and issues of particular concern to women of color.
International Human Rights (POLS 470)
Development of international norms on human rights and attempts to implement those standards. Emphasis on political process, with attention to law, philosophy, economics, and culture.
Huskers Do Big Things
Internships
- Intern, Great Plains National Security Education Consortium
- Country assistance coordinator intern, United States Department of State
- Community development intern, Nebraska Department of Economic Development
- CommerceConnect intern, United States Department of Commerce
- School of Government internship, Sun Yat-Sen University
Careers
- Campaign organizer, Impact Organization/Environment New Mexico
- Compliance officer, Tagge Rutherford Financial Group
- Legal assistant, Learner and Rowe Attorneys
- Policy assistant, Center for Rural Affairs
- Staff assistant, United States Congress
Graduate Schools
- Master’s degree, International Affairs, Texas A&M University
- Master’s degree, International Security, University of Denver
- Master’s degree, War Studies, King's College London
- Juris Doctor degree, University of Nebraska College of Law
- Ph. D., Economic Analysis and Policy, Stanford University
Outside the Classroom
Depending on your major, interests and goals, you can choose to do research, work as an intern, study abroad, become a leader or serve your community. The university’s Experiential Learning requirement ensures you have at least one of these transformative learning experiences; students in the College of Arts and Sciences typically complete at least two.
Work alongside a faculty member as a research assistant or design your own research project through the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience (UCARE) program.
Explore a wide variety of local, national and international internships. Connect with our career coaches to identify opportunities and document the skills and experience you gain on the job.
Join other students in Poland to learn about national security or connect with our Global Experiences Office to find an affiliate program in almost any location you can imagine.
Get involved in one of the 540+ student organizations available at Nebraska. Meet students who share your interests, become a leader or serve the community.
Featured Faculty
Alice Kang, Associate Professor
Dr. Kang studies comparative politics and women, gender and politics, with a focus on Africa. She teaches courses on African politics, democracy and citizenship and women and politics. Her latest book was recognized by the American Political Science Association. She has been instrumental in creating the first international database of when and how women are elevated to high courts, which was funded by the National Science Foundation.
Academics & Experiential Learning
- Our motto is Academics + Experience = Opportunities. Employers and graduate/professional schools are looking for students who have a strong academic background and hands-on experience.
- Political science majors regularly engage in research or internships, and many study abroad or get involved in service or leadership on campus and beyond.
Career Preparedness
- POLS 101: Academic and Career Planning for Political Science. Meet other students and learn about the academic and professional pathways available to political science majors.
- CASC 200: Career Development in Arts and Sciences. Explore your interests, abilities and values while identifying career options and preparing to apply for internships, jobs or graduate/professional school.
Community
- Serve as a page in the Nebraska State Legislature for a first-hand view of the political process and valuable networking opportunities.
- Join any number of political, policy and issue-oriented student organizations, or become a member of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN).
Have Questions? We're Here to Help
If you have questions about the Political Science major or navigating the application process, contact us.
- Contact Name
- Nicholas Gordon
- Contact Title
- Director of Recruitment
- Phone
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