Politics Major
Don’t watch politics from the sidelines. Be a part of it at Drake.
College of Arts & Sciences | On-Campus
Program Options
The Political Science Department's combination of in-depth disciplinary training with broad multidisciplinary inquiry helps fulfill Drake’s mission of producing informed and engaged citizens while providing students with skills and training to help them succeed in a job, in graduate school, or in a professional school as well as in careers in politics or international affairs. Explore majors and minors that span the political science field.
B.A. in Politics
The Politics major provides a broad understanding of all facets of politics. Students explore Comparative Politics, American Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory, choosing coursework within the department based on their unique interests and career goals.
B.A. in American Politics
Des Moines is your launch pad for a career in local, state, or national politics. The American Politics major synthesizes rigorous academic study alongside internships, hands-on learning, and the chance to learn from experts in the field.
International Relations Minor
View international politics, policy, law, and business from a global angle by minoring in International Relations. After taking interdisciplinary core courses, you’ll choose a single elective to examine comparative perspectives.
Human Rights Studies Minor
This minor shows how we can integrate human rights into everyday life, transforming institutions and advancing rights initiatives where you live, study, and work. Learn about global perspectives on human rights, and gain an understanding of issues that goes beyond the headlines.
Politics Minor
In this minor, you’ll get a wide-ranging introduction to the field and have the opportunity to delve more deeply into a specific area of political science.
Meet the Faculty
Bringing insights from their research and the campaign trail into the classroom, department faculty are experts in political economy, the legislative process, presidential politics, public opinion, immigration discourse, public law and judicial politics, human rights, gender and race, international conflict, international law, national security, and many other disciplinary areas. Most importantly, they’re highly effective educators who have been recognized with numerous teaching awards.
Outside the Classroom
Des Moines is a one-of-a-kind place to study politics. Here, students have the opportunity to intern with the state legislature, the Governor’s office, state agencies, non-profits, political parties, offices of U.S. Senators and Representatives, interest groups, and lobbying firms. Caucuses held every four years provide a first-hand perspective of campaigning and the electoral process.
Washington, D.C. Programs
Those interested in national politics complete internships in Washington, D.C., and Drake is affiliated with both The Washington Center and the Washington Semester at American University, which offer semester-long academic internship programs in Washington, D.C.
Study Abroad
We encourage students in any major to study abroad. But the experience is especially valuable for Politics majors, who benefit from seeing other political systems or international organizations in action.
Iowa Caucuses
Every four years, Iowa takes center stage in American politics through our first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. You’ll see the process up close as a student in the Department of Political Science, as you make connections with candidates, campaigns, and media organizations.
Nationally Televised Candidate Debates
Drake has hosted six nationally televised live-broadcast presidential candidate debates during the past five election cycles. Many Drake students get to play a part—either through paid short-term internships or as audience members.
J-Term
Every other year, Professor Caufield leads a January-term travel seminar to Washington, D.C. to expose students to the opening of a new session of Congress or the presidential inauguration. Over two weeks in Washington, the students meet with Drake alumni and contacts in government, media, political party organizations, lobbying and consulting firms, and policy advocacy organizations.
Student Organizations
Participate in a national mock trial competition, publish original research in the student-led Drake Political Review or the Drake Undergraduate Social Science Journal, or organize an event at the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship. Politics students can also join Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society.
Careers & Skills
A Politics degree from Drake can give you the analytical skills to go into political consulting or government and the writing and communication skills to work on political campaigns or advocacy. Our graduates pursue careers in the public, non-profit, and private sectors; many of our students go to law school, and we have had exceptional success placing students on Fulbright Scholarships.
Opportunities
- Local, state, national, and international government
- Political campaigns
- Law
- Journalism
- Social work
- Non-profit organizations
- Business
Skills
- Become a better communicator, with assignments specifically tailored to professional settings in politics.
- Develop practical knowledge in short courses taught by working professionals.
- Engage in critical thinking to evaluate current issues in politics, understand the policymaking process, and appreciate the complexity of institutional decisions.
- Gain professional connections through internships, research, and other hands-on experiences.
Salary & Growth Outlook
Average salary for policy analysts, according to Indeed.com.
Take the Next Step
See how Drake’s Politics major can prepare you to play an active role in your community and the world.
