Political Science

Thea Riofrancos, Political Science Classroom

Political Science at Providence College

To be human is to be political. So claimed Aristotle, who stated that human beings are, by nature, the “political animal.” Political science is the systematic study of political institutions, ideas, identities, events, and behaviors. As such, political science seeks to understand collective power — specifically, how and by whom such power is acquired, exercised, and challenged. Students who major in political science at Providence College examine politics in a variety of contexts and from a variety of perspectives, both domestic and international. Graduates of the program find that a degree in political science from Providence College opens doors to a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors. The major also enables our students to become engaged and responsible citizens of their communities.

Contact

Department of Political Science
Dr. Matthew Guardino
Department Chair
Howley Hall 319

401.865.2547 mguardin@providence.edu additional contacts
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DEGREE PROGRAMS

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Students complete 11 three-credit courses, including Political Science 101 and an upper-level seminar of their choosing. Majors must take at least one course in each of the subfields of American politics, comparative politics, political theory, and international relations, and a course on quantitative and qualitative methods. Students also complete four electives, which may include courses from the main subfields and others that cross subfields and disciplines.

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Minor in Political Science

A minor in political science is a valuable addition to many other fields of study, including sociology, economics, public and community service studies, global studies, and business. Minors must complete PSC 101 and five additional political science courses of their choosing. At least two of these must be at the 300 or 400 level.

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Certificate in Public Administration

The Public Administration Program prepares students for careers in a variety of public service sectors and graduate degrees in public administration (MPA) and public policy (MPP). The program consists of core courses in political science as well as three courses in other disciplines on ethics, economics, and finance.

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additional information about Political Science

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Take classes, live in D.C., and work an internship in the Washington Semester Program

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Find placements in research and policy internships via the Rhode Island State Government Internship Program

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Publish articles co-authored with department faculty in prominent scholarly journals

FACULTY

Small class sizes mean that majors can really get to know their professors. Our faculty come from diverse backgrounds and hold degrees from some of the finest institutions, including Berkeley, Brandeis, Brown, Columbia, Penn, Rutgers, Michigan, Notre Dame, Syracuse, UMass-Amherst, and UTAustin.

MEET THE political science FACULTY

Check out our podcast

Available on Apple Music, Spotify, and many other services.

IN THE NEWS

RECENT DEPARTMENT UPDATES

AFTER PC

Several PC political science alumni serve in elective office in federal, state, and local governments. Many of our graduates also have been quite successful in business, including some of the world’s most successful corporations such as Oracle, General Electric, Bloomberg News, and Chase Manhattan. In addition, a large number of our students eventually seek graduate or professional degrees in a variety of specialties, including business, law, health policy, public administration and public policy, secondary education, and environmental policy.

92%

of 2018-2022 political science graduates are employed and/or attending graduate school

61%

are employed only

19%

are attending school only

12%

are employed and attending school

Due to rounding, some totals may not correspond with the sum of the separate figures.

Selected Places of Employment/Service

Aflac Group Insurance
Analytic Partners
Ankura Consulting
Audit Analytics
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI
Carousel Industries
Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick
City of Boston
Dell EMC
Disney
EdVestors
EY
FBI
FDIC
Guidepoint Global
Hasbro
Hudson Valley Justice Center

IGT
Imperium
Consulting Group
Lifespan
Massachusetts House of Representatives
New Jersey Senate Majority Office
New York Legal Assistance Group
Office of Governor Daniel McKee
Perkins Thompson Law Firm
Strategic Benefit Advisors
Suburban Propane
Teach for America
United States Senate
Wayfair

Selected Graduate Schools

American Washington College of Law
Boston College
Boston University
Brooklyn Law School
Fordham Law School
London School of Economics and Political Science
Loyola Law School
Michigan State University
New England Law
New York University
Northeastern University, School of Law
Notre Dame University
Saint John’s Seminary
Southern Methodist University
Syracuse University
Tufts University
University of North Carolina School of Law
University of Oxford
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
University of San Francisco
Vanderbilt Law School

ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Adam Myers

Assistant Department Chair
Howley 317
401-865-2648
amyers2@providence.edu

Andrew Meehan

Admin
Howley 318
401-865-2434
ameehan@providence.edu