Political Science Major
As a political science major, you'll study politics as an essential aspect of human affairs. Our definition of "politics" includes everything from the American presidency to overcoming poverty in Africa. We study the history and structure of governments, political parties, interest groups and social movements. Our students learn about what does happen in politics and how to think systematically about what would be just and fair.FIVE MAJOR CONCENTRATIONS: Politics, Global Politics, Law and Politics, Political Economy and Economic Policy, American Politics
THE MARQUETTE Political Science Major
FOLLOW YOUR INTEREST. Concentrate your studies in one of five major tracks: Global Politics (including both international relations and domestic politics in countries around the planet); Law and Politics (ranging from the U.S. Constitution to international law); Political Economy and Public Policy (the relationship between business and politics in capitalist countries); American Politics (for those who understand and/or have a career in American politics) and General Politics.
As a political science major, you can also get involved in these student groups:
- College Democrats
- College Republicans
- Democracy Matters
- Les Aspin Center for Government Alumni Council
- Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honor society)
STUDY GOVERNMENT WHERE IT HAPPENS. Live, learn and work for a semester in the nation's capital through Marquette's very own Les Aspin Center for Government, located a mere five blocks from the Capitol. Or learn about politics in Milwaukee by working in one of representatives' local offices, joining a campaign or working in the city or county government.
LEARN FROM THE BEST. Marquette is a great place to be a political science major: Our faculty win teaching awards and are leading scholars in the field. You'll learn from experts in many fields, including Latin America, Russia, China, international security, international law and human rights, development, political economy, Constitutional law, political philosophy, Congress and the presidency, elections and public opinion, and urban politics. Marquette's Department of Political Science has been ranked in the top 30 in the country.
GREAT PREPARATION FOR LAW SCHOOL. Armed with sharp analytical minds and solid understanding of the purpose of government and the law, nearly a third of Marquette's political science majors go on to law school. Another 10 percent pursue graduate studies in political science.
You might like the political science major if you:
- Like social studies, history and current events
- Are fascinated by the uses of power in society
- Have strong communication skills
What can you do with a major in political science?
Marquette's political science major is excellent preparation for law, business and graduate school; diplomatic and civil service; political journalism; politics; and international business. Learn more about what you can do with a major in political science.
Visit the department that offers the major in political science.
Please expand to view suggested curriculum
Suggested curriculum for a Political Science Major
Your major courses blue.
Freshman
- American Politics
- Comparative Politics
- Rhetoric and Composition I & II
- Growth of Western Civilization I or II
- Science and Nature Elective
- Introduction to Theology
- Foreign Language I & II
- History Elective
Sophomore
- International Politics
- Justice and Power
- Two Literature Electives
- Mathematical Reasoning Elective
- Philosophy of Human Nature
- Foreign Language III & IV
- Math, Logic or Computer Science Elective
- Natural Science Elective
Junior
- Four Political Science Electives
- Diverse Cultures Elective
- Theory of Ethics
- Two Theology Electives
- Philosophy Elective
Senior
- Three Political Science Electives
- Electives














