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Department of Political Science

The College of Social Sciences
RUSSELL MARDON, Chair
Social Science Building, Room 129
(559) 278-2988

http://socsci.csufresno.edu/polisci/

B.A. in Political Science
B.A. in Public Administration
M.A. in International Relations

Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
Minor in Political Science
Minor in Public Administration
Minor in International Political Economy
(jointly with Department of Economics)
Subject Matter Preparation for Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science

Faculty

Russell Mardon, Chair

Russell Mardon, Political Science Adviser, Prelaw Adviser
Marn J. Cha, Undergraduate Public Administration Adviser

Graduate Advisers:
Alfred B. Evans, Jr., International Relations
Marn J. Cha, Public Administration

Robert Dibie, Lyman H. Heine Jr., Sharron Y. Herron, Melissa Michelson, David H. Provost, David L. Schecter, Mark S. Somma, Freeman J. Wright

The Department

Courses and programs offered by the Department of Political Science are intended to help all students become more effective participants in a democratic society, as makers of public policy, and as individuals affected by those policies. Our programs prepare political science and public administration majors for a wide variety of careers.

Students may elect to concentrate within political science on American government and politics, international politics, comparative government, or political theory. The Public Administration Program is designed to prepare students for administrative positions in public service agencies and includes instruction in such subjects as personnel administration, budget preparation, public relations, and techniques of management appropriate to the administration of public policy. For those who achieve a high measure of proficiency in their undergraduate programs, the department offers advanced work leading to the master's degree in international relations and public administration. A Minor in Political Science is chosen by students as a means of obtaining skills and knowledge important to their primary area of interest.

Internships

The department offers several programs through which students may gain practical experience while gaining academic credit. A political science internship involves working in the office of an elected official or, when possible, in an election campaign.

The comparable program in public administration places students in positions, often paid, with local government offices and agencies where they may be involved with city planning and zoning issues, public relations efforts, special research topics or budget preparation, to mention several possibilities.

In addition, the department regularly sends selected students to the state capitol to participate in the Sacramento Semester Program under which they work with members of the Legislature, officers of the Executive, or with lobbyists. Finally, arrangements also may be made for better students to serve as staff to members of congress in Washington, D.C. for a semester.

Career Opportunities

What do you do with a degree in political science or public administration? The skills gained through study on these subjects are highly valued in many areas, including business. Graduates have found positions with governmental agencies and officers, with companies or organizations that deal extensively with government or as members of the print and electronic media as reporters. Careers with the state department and foreign service have proven rewarding to many with a special interest in international politics or comparative government. Those interested in a career in law have found a solid grounding in political science valuable. The department has more prelaw students as majors than any other program at the university.

Political Science Courses

Political Science Degrees

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