Political Science Major
The political science major at Seaver College introduces students to the study and analysis of politics, governments, and the governing process. Whether it is wrangling over a new health care plan in Congress, a bitterly contested presidential campaign, or the global struggle against terrorism, the political world is complex, ever-changing, and fascinating.
Political Science Degree
Our political science major emphasizes an integration of the theoretical work in the classroom with practical and experiential learning. Led by our renowned faculty, students learn to analyze, contextualize, and develop a balanced perspective, while thinking critically and articulating a sense of purpose and direction.
What Political Science Grads Are Doing
Data collected from the 2023 class within six months of graduation.
Employed Full-Time or Part-Time
Admitted to Graduate School
Total Settled Graduates
Why Pepperdine
Pepperdine Seaver College is consistently recognized among the top-ranked universities in California and the United States. We are a Christian university where students grow in knowledge and character. As a liberal arts institution, we focus on providing rich opportunities for intellectual and spiritual exploration for students within a diverse community.
Located in Malibu, CA
13:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
80% of Students Participate in an International Program
120,000 + Alumni Network
Political Science Program
What is Political Science?
Political science is the study of the world of governments and the governing process. Political science seeks to understand and react to this world of swirling events and players. To understand means to analyze, put in context, and develop a balanced perspective. To react to that political world means one must be able to think critically, develop a sense of purpose and direction, and possess values and beliefs that enable one to thoughtfully evaluate and prescribe.
Student Opportunities
There are three distinguishing features of the political science major at Pepperdine
University. One is an emphasis on integrating the theoretical work of the classroom
with practical experience. The Washington, DC Internship Program provides political
science majors with the opportunity to live, work, and study in the capital during
the school year or summer. Internships are also available in Sacramento and Los Angeles.
Our Student Research and Publications
Our students have worked with professors in political science to publish in a variety
of places including professional peer-reviewed journals, undergraduate peer-reviewed
journals, editor-reviewed journals, and edited books. Our students have also won awards
for their writing.
Unique Aspects of the Major
Each year, political science majors also have an opportunity to interact with students from many other colleges and universities in the Model United Nations program, representing one of the nations of the world. Students also have the opportunity to attend the Sacramento Legislative Seminar, where they meet governmental officials and others on the Sacramento political scene. There are also opportunities to study abroad. In recent years political science majors have taken part in programs in London, England; Moscow, Russia; Heidelberg, Germany; and Florence.
A second key feature of the political science major is the faculty's focus on giving a balanced emphasis on solid factual knowledge, the ideas and concepts of political philosophy, modern research concepts and methods, and basic beliefs and values rooted in Christianity. An approach to the political world that emphasizes facts without values, research methodology without the great ideas of such thinkers as Plato, Locke and Madison, or any other one-sided approach ill equips a person in living a thoughtful and purposeful life.
A third feature of the political science degree program is flexibility in meeting the needs and interests of political science majors. The requirements do not rigidly structure the courses students must take, but allow students to tailor their program to meet their needs and interests. This flexibility also allows many students to double major with the second major including history, economics, or journalism.
The Honors Research Program in Political Science
Political science majors are encouraged to participate in the Honors Research Program, aimed at providing students with insight into how professional political scientists design research projects, collect and analyze data or interpret philosophical texts, and communicate their results to the academic community.
Students may apply to the program in the spring semester of their junior year and are admitted to the program based on their grade point average, career goals, successful completion of a course or courses in political methodology (such as POSC 250, 310, and/or 560), and the degree of congruence between the topic of the student's proposed honors project and the expertise of the regular members of the political science faculty.
Students are selected by a committee in the spring semester of the student's junior year and are notified in time for preregistration for the fall semester of their senior year. Upon acceptance into the program, students enroll in POSC 491: Senior Honors Thesis for the fall semester.
During the spring semester of the student's senior year, students will research and write an article-length manuscript under the supervision of one of the regular political science professors. In order to complete the program, students must present their findings in thesis form to an examining committee composed of the thesis supervisor and two other regular political science faculty.
After each candidate successfully completes an oral thesis defense, the committee recommends that the student's transcript and diploma be marked "Honors in Political Science." It is expected that the thesis will be presented as an academic conference paper coauthored with the supervising professor and that a revised version will be submitted for publication as a coauthored article in a scholarly social science journal.
Career Opportunities
Law
Career opportunities in the legal profession are numerous. Although a number of majors can prepare one for a legal career, political science is an especially appropriate background since law is an aspect of governments and the governing process.
Government Service/Political
There are many career possibilities in government service, including elective office, positions on the staffs of elected officials, and staff positions with one of the political parties.
Government Service/Civil Service
There are many government careers under the civil service systems of the national, state and local governments. Most political science majors who enter a civil service position do so in an executive or management training position. These positions are often very rewarding due to their broad, policy making roles. Although not required for some of these positions, it is helpful to go on to graduate school to obtain a master's degree in public administration either immediately after graduation or after working for several years.
Secondary Education
A number of our graduates obtain a secondary teaching credential and go on to careers teaching government or civics on the junior or high school level.
Professional Political Scientist
An undergraduate major in political science can serve as the groundwork for the pursuit of graduate studies in political science leading to a Ph.D. This equips one to teach and do research on the college and university level or full-time research positions with government or private agencies.
International Organizations
In recent years the opportunities for qualified persons with an interest in international organizations has grown. These positions are in private overseas voluntary agencies, international businesses, international governmental agencies and other international agencies.
Interest Groups and Associations
Since 1960 interest groups activity has exploded on both state and national levels. One thinks immediately of traditional economic interest groups such as organized labor and business associations. A political science major is a natural for such positions.
Journalism
Covering community and political stories are a major part of a journalist's task. Thus, political science is an excellent background for either print or broadcast journalism. Those contemplating such a career should either double major in journalism or plan to obtain a master's degree in journalism after completing the major.
Business
A large number of graduates (some studies suggest nearly one third) find employment in the business sector with careers in such fields as marketing, personnel, advertising, and public or community relations. Others have obtained management training positions with public and private corporations.
Political Science Student Testimonials
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Contact Us
Social Science Division
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263
Office: AC 201
Robert E. Williams
Divisional Dean & Professor of Political Science
Robert Escudero
Office Manager