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Political Science
| Overview |
| The Political Science Major has the option of graduating
with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. |
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What skills can I expect to develop through this degree? |
| The bachelors degree program in political science which is
designed to provide the student with a solid grounding in
American political institutions, international relations,
comparative political systems, public law, and political
philosophy. Throughout the curriculum the student is encouraged
to critically examine the nature of relationships between
citizens and the state as well as between states. |
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What I will learn |
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Political Science majors will be able to apply the skills of
quantitative and qualitative data analysis to real-world social science
data to evaluate research hypotheses as used in policy analysis and
problem-solving. Majors will be familiar with major authors, works, and
theories of the canon of political science in American political
institutions and processes, international relations, comparative
political systems, political theory (both normative and positive), and
public law. Majors will conduct instrument design and data collection in
connection with a well-formulated research question. Majors will
demonstrate a competency in effectively using library, archival, and
electronic resources for research purposes. Majors will be able to
present, discuss, and defend their own research at a high level of
professional discourse. |
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What opportunities are there for internships or other hands-on learning experiences? |
| The political science program provides students with
opportunities for independent studies, field experiences and
internships. |
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What are some possible entry-level careers with a degree in this
field? |
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Prepares the student for entry into careers in business
management, interest group advocacy, political consulting and
public service at the national, state or local levels. The
political science major is often used as the preliminary step
toward professional training in the law or advanced study in
political science or public administration. |
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What are some CMU graduates with this degree doing? |
Tom Meier CMU 1991
Tom came to Central from St. Charles, Missouri. He was active in
student government while and Central and played varsity soccer.
As a senior Tom was elected president of the Student Government
Association. Upon graduation Tom entered law school at
Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, which was then
ranked the number two law school in the United States. He
currently practices corporate law in Chicago, Illinois.
Julie Biesemeyer CMU 1991
While an undergraduate Julie completed internships with a member
of the Missouri House of Representatives and a member of the
United States Congress. She also clerked for a Judge of the
Associate Circuit Court. After graduation she served as a
legislative aide for United States Senator John Danforth (R-MO)
and Congresswoman Jane Harmon (D-CA). Julie current works for
Big Brothers and Sisters of Western Illinois.
Tim Kerns CMU 1991
Tim came to Central from St. Charles, Missouri as a varsity
soccer recruit. As well as interscholastic sports, Tim excelled
in the study of political science and became active in student
government and Greek life on campus. As a senior Tim was elected
vice president of the Student Government Association. After
graduation Tim went on to law school at the University of
Missouri-Kansas City. He is now serving as a judge in Weld
County, Colorado where he is a partner in the firm of Coleman,
Liu, Lyons and Collins.
Greg Young CMU 1995
Greg Young came to Central from Florissant, Missouri. Greg was
active in student government while at Central and during his
senior year he served as president of the Student Government
Association. As an undergraduate in political science Greg
completed an internship in the office of the Speaker of the
Missouri House of Representatives, spent a summer clerking for a
Justice of the United States District Court and completed a
second summer internship as a legislative intern for one of
Missouri’s United States senators. After graduation Greg earned
a law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and worked
for several years as a political consultant. He now practices
law in Columbia, Missouri.
Jennifer Anthony CMU 1997
Jennifer came to Central from Sikeston, Missouri. Jennifer was
active in student government and Pi Gamma Mu, the Social Science
Honor Society. She completed one internship with a member of the
Missouri General Assembly and spent a summer in Washington
interning in the office of Congressman Bill Emerson (R-MO).
After graduation Jennifer selected for The Leadership Academy in
Washington, DC and became active in political campaign work. She
now works as an analyst and producer with America’s Voice.
Mark H. Jones 2000
Mark came to Central to pursue his interest in debate and
preparation for law school. An active member of Pi Gamma Mu and
the Pre-Law Club, Mark found his calling in practical politics.
Mark gained experience working on several political campaigns as
an intern during his undergraduate career and found that he
enjoyed the high-pressure world of campaign management. By the
time he completed his studies in political science in 2000 Mark
was already working full-time as a campaign coordinator for the
Missouri Democratic party, where he went on to become
Coordinator of the Missouri Senate Campaign Committee.
Kristin E. Gore CMU 2001
Kristin came to Central from Bartlesville, Oklahoma to study
political science and pursue her interest in public speaking and
debate. In her time at Central Kristen was active in Pi Gamma
Mu, Student Government and the pre-law club. Kristen ultimately
graduated with a double major in communication studies and
political science in 2001. As a senior she won the General Lewis
M. Means Award for Excellence in the study of Political Science.
In the fall 2001 Kristen entered law school at the University of
Missouri-Columbia and earned her J.D. in 2004. After a brief
tenure in private practice in Jefferson City Kristen is now
serving as an Assistant Attorney General for Missouri.
Dan Farris CMU 2003
Dan came to Central from Bunceton, Missouri. As an undergraduate
Dan was active in student government, serving in a cabinet post
during his senior year, and in CMU’s pre-law program, where he
served as the undergraduate fellow also during his senior year.
Torn between attending graduate school in political science or
law school Dan took a year off to work after graduation in May
2003. In the fall of 2004 he began law school in Lansing,
Michigan.
Nina Marie Garrett CMU 2003
Nina came to Central from St. Louis, Missouri in the fall of
2000 already on her way to law school and determined to complete
her BA in political science and business in just three years.
Despite taking very heavy course loads throughout her six
semesters at Central Nina was active in the pre-law program and
Pi Gamma Mu, the national honor society for the social sciences.
Nina did graduate after just six semesters. During her final
year she was courted by a number of fine law schools, including
Creighton and Drake. In the Fall of 2003 Nina entered the Thomas
M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. After receiving her
law degree Nina accepted a position with a law firm in the St.
Louis area.
Oz Qureshi CMU 2003
Oz came to Central from Sedalia, Missouri. Oz was recruited to
Central as a soccer player and participated in varsity soccer
during most of his undergraduate career. Interested in politics,
Oz became active in student government and was elected president
of student government during his junior year. After graduation
Oz entered the masters program in political science at the
University of Missouri-Kansas City. After completing his masters
at UMKC he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern Studies.
Laura Hilton CMU 2003
Laura came to Central from Raymore, Missouri. While at Central
Laura was active in student government and during her senior
year she served as president of the Student Government
Association. She was editor of the Collegian, CMU’s campus
newspaper and served as president of Pi Gamma Mu, the national
honor society for the social sciences. After graduation Laura
worked for a year as a paralegal researcher with a large Kansas
City law firm. In 2004 she began seminary at St. Paul’s
Theological Seminary in Kansas City. While a student at St.
Paul’s she served as pastor to two small United Methodist
congregations and in summer 2007 she began serving as an
associate pastor for a large United Methodist Church in the
Kansas City area.
Amber Davis CMU 2004
Amber came to Central from Palmyra, Missouri. While at Central
Amber was active in student government and Pi Gamma Mu, the
social science honor society. As a senior Amber served as vice
president of Pi Gamma Mu and secretary of the Student Government
Association. After receiving her BA magna cum laude in May 2004
Amber entered law school at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
She received her J.D. degree in May 2007 and now practices law
in Hannibal, Missouri.
Carey Stapleton CMU 2004
Carey transferred to Central from the University of
Missouri-Columbia at the end of his first year in order to take
advantage of Central’s smaller classes and more writing
intensive curriculum. Carey was active in Pi Gamma Mu, the
social science honor society, and served as chapter president
during his senior year. Carey is now attending graduate school
at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned his MA
in political science in May 2006 and is now employed as a
program analyst with the Research Development Institute in
Kansas City.
Angela Umstattd CMU 2005
Angela came to Central from the Jefferson City area with an
interest in public service. As a political science major, Angela
was active in Pi Gamma Mu, honor society for the social
sciences, and served as its vice president during her senior
year. Angela was the co-recipient of the 2005 General Lewis M.
Means award for excellence in the study of political science and
earned her degree Cum Laude, with honors in political science.
Angela is now employed as an administrator with the University
of Missouri-Columbia and pursuing a masters degree in human
resources administration.
Melia Young CMU 2006
Melia came to Central from Moberly, Missouri. Melia came to
Central to study criminal justice, but decided to double major
in CJ and political science. She worked for the division of
social sciences as a tutor and research assistant for two years.
She was active in Pi Gamma Mu and was elected to be CMU chapter
president during her senior year. She was a leader in her social
sorority, Zeta Psi Lambda, and served as president of that
organization during her senior year. Melia received her BS
degree cum laude in May 2006. In the fall 2006 semester Melia
will begin work toward the Masters degree in political science
at Kansas State University where she has been awarded a teaching
assistantship which included a full-tuition waiver.
Megan Kramer CMU 2008
Megan came to Central in the Fall of 2004 from LeGrange,
Missouri to prepare for a career in public service and possibly
for an eventual entry into law school. Megan distinguished
herself both in the class room and in her work in several of
Central’s student organizations. She was active in Pi Gamma Mu,
social science honor society and served as an officer in that
organization. She was active in CMU’s Student Government
Organization throughout her undergraduate career and was elected
vice president of SGA during her senior year. Megan received the
2008 General Lewis M. Means award for excellence in the study of
political science. During the spring of her senior year Megan
accepted a post-graduation position in local government
administration near her home in Lewis County.
Anna Compton CMU 2008
Anna came to Central from Harrisonville, Missouri to study
history, but her interest in things political convinced her to
pursue a double major in history and political science. An
outstanding student, Anna received the 2007 General Lewis M.
Means Award for excellence in the study of political science and
took her degree with honors in 2008. Anna was active in many
student organizations and served as president of Pi Gamma Mu,
the social science honor society. During her final semester of
study Anna accepted a position with the office of the Missouri
Secretary of State. She plans a career in state government and
politics, and is considering the possibility of pursuing
graduate work in either history of political science. |
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