School of Arts & Sciences

Political Science and Public Administration

The Political Science program is an American Government focused program and prepares students for government service through internship opportunities and coursework. For those students who wish to pursue post-graduate study in Law School or in Political Science, faculty will assist them in preparing for LSAT exams and making application to the appropriate graduate program.

The Public Administration program is currently a minor program of study, but plans are underway to develop a full major in the field. Public Administration is a growing field in which students are prepared for work in virtually all levels of government service - from municipal government to federal agency level work. Internships are available for students in the program, and for those who wish to pursue graduate program options, faculty will assist them in making the appropriate plans and applications.

Contact:

Dr. Aaron Mason
Professor of Political Science
Department of Social Sciences
Jesse Dunn 302B
Northwestern-Alva
(580) 327-8522
m ason@nwosu.edu

Clubs & Honor Societies

Leviathan Society

College Democrats

College Republicans

Pi Sigma Alpha

Internships

The Social Sciences Department offers internships to students who are majoring in Criminal Justice, Sociology or Political Science. The Internship program is designed to introduce junior or senior level students to the policies and procedures that are used in the various governmental agencies or the non-profit community. Both public and private sector agencies are appropriate locations for internships.

Students are expected to identify an agency that could provide them with prospective positions post graduation. The internship program is only available for students who have completed at least 12 hours of upper division coursework in their major area of study. The internship should be viewed as the stepping stone to post graduation employment.

Departmental Alumni who performed internships have gone onto excellent careers in government agencies and the private, non-profit sector. Students who believe that graduate school or law school are in their future, are also urged to pursue an internship in order to solidify their goals post graduate work completion.

Internship Application Form

Internship Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes

Political Science/Public Administration Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) along with Curriculum Maps for each program.

Political Science/Public Administration graduates should be able to do the following:

SLO #1 Content Area Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Recognize and apply concepts a nd principles in the discipline of political science and public administration.
Identify key elements in understanding political science and government.
Develop expertise in politics, government, and law.

SLO #2 Critical Thinking Skills

Critically analyze and evaluate the history of political thought.
Evaluate and critically assess historical and political science research.
Recognize and interpret the relationship between various branches of government and levels of government.
Produce plausible explanations about the cause and effect of political change on citizenship and government.
Evaluate the influence of public policy on American social and economic life.

SLO #3 Communication Skills

Create written papers based on relevant legal and political research.
Discuss the context of political issues in the United States and Global Realm.
Demonstrate competency in using APA documentation style.
Effectively communicate in written and verbal form.

SLO #4 Ethics and Leadership Abilities

Exercise academic and professional integrity in all forms.
Analyze and evaluate ethical issues which confront political scientists’ and public administrators’ practice.
Demonstrate professional leadership in group contexts.

Assessment Plan for Political Science/Public Administration

SLOS	METHODOLOGIES	MEASURE OF SUCCESS
SLO #1 - Student will demonstrate content area knowledge, skills, and abilities	POL 4623 Term Paper	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
	POL 4623 Final Exam	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
SLO #2 - Student will demonstrate critical thinking skills.	POL 4623 Term Paper	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (200).
	POL 4623 Final Exam	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
SLO #3 - Student will demonstrate quality communication skills in both written and verbal form.	POL 4623 Paper Presentation	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (25).
	POL 4623 Final Exam	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
SLO #4 - Student will demonstrate ethical decision-making and professional leadership	POL 4623 Paper Presentation	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
	POL 4623 Final Exam	75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).

Careers for Degree

Political Science Careers Include:

Policy Analyst, Researcher, Professor, Legal Advocate, Legal Analyst, Political Party Wonk, Government Agency Staffer, Congressional Staffer, Legislative Staffer, Program Administrator, Demographic Analyst, Program Analyst, Attorney (law degree required), Voter Registrar... and many more.

Public Administration Careers Include:

Government Agency Staffer, Congressional Staffer, Legislative Staffer, City Manager, Community Planner, Grants Officer, Government Contracts Administrator, Regional Economic Development Planner, Demographer, Statistician, Policy Analyst, Researcher, Program Developer and Administrator... and many more.