Political Science

Students must consult with an academic advisor regularly in planning their program and schedule. A staff advisor is available by appointment in the department office (SH 210), and faculty advisors are available during the semester at regularly scheduled office hours and by appointment. Students should come to the department office for the scheduled office hours of the faculty. For pre-law advisement, students should contact Dr. Leigh Bradberry. Academic advisement is also available to students through the department advisor and staff advisors in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Student Services Center/EOP Satellite. Call (818) 677-2658 to schedule an appointment.

The major in Political Science is designed for students who intend to work in politics, government and public policy; for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the law; or for students who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in Political Science or other related fields in preparation for university-level teaching. Graduates of the program work in politics, government service, public policy, the nonprofit sector and in the private sector in a variety of fields. Beyond the substance of political science, students in the major hone their analytical reasoning and critical-thinking skills, their writing skills, their communication skills and their research skills. All of these are key characteristics sought after by employers in both the public and private sectors.

For more information about the Master of Public Administration program, see the Public Administration section of this Catalog.

• Model United Nations
• Pi Sigma Alpha
• Political Science Student Association

CSUN in DC Internship Program

The Political Science department hosts the CSUN in DC Internship Program in which students live and learn in the nation’s capital for the entire Spring or Summer term. Students intern on Capitol Hill for agencies, for nonprofit organizations, for think tanks or for private firms during the day while taking classes during the evening, as they continue to make progress toward their degree. The program is open to all majors. Students should visit the DC Internship website for more information.

Model United Nations

The Political Science department hosts the Model United Nations (MUN) program in which students prepare for and compete in regional and national MUN conferences. Students enrolled in the MUN course develop their writing, public speaking and negotiating skills, while learning about international relations, international organizations and public policy. Support for travel for the MUN program is provided by the Instructionally Related Activities fund, Associated Students, the Department of Political Science, and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Judicial Internship Program

The Judicial Internship Program pairs students one-on-one with judges in the Superior Courts of Los Angeles County, so that students can learn about the inner workings of the Court, the legal system and careers in the law. It is primarily intended for students from all majors who are considering a law career. Students in the program enroll in POLS 494J/A and receive 3 units of credit. They observe cases in the courts and spend time with their mentor/judge. Students should contact Dr. Leigh Bradberry for more information about this program.

International Studies

The Political Science department supports the concept of international education and encourages students to investigate opportunities for overseas study. Certain courses taken at CSU International Program Study Centers in foreign countries are equivalent to courses in the Department of Political Science and may be used to fulfill some of the requirements for degree options offered by the department and/or certain General Education requirements. Students should consult the International Programs Bulletin available in the International and Exchange Student Center, a departmental advisor or the campus International Programs advisor for more information.