Bachelor of Arts Degree
Political Science with Specialization in Courts, Justice and Politics

Our political science degree combines rigorous academics with focused professional development.

The courts, justice and politics specialization of Oakland University’s political science degree offers practical, affordable preparation for careers in law, government, policy analysis, reform advocacy and other professions related to political science. With small class sizes and extremely well-qualified faculty, our political science degree features outstanding academic training and advanced opportunities for undergraduate research. You’ll also have extensive opportunities to gain hands-on experience in legislatures, courts, advocacy organizations and other real-world settings. Whether you’re bound for the workforce, law school, a graduate political science degree or another career destination, our political science major gives you a competitive edge that can translate into professional success.

Request Info Visit Apply Program Requirements

The courts, justice and politics specialization of Oakland University’s political science degree offers practical, affordable preparation for careers in law, government, policy analysis, reform advocacy and other professions related to political science. With small class sizes and extremely well-qualified faculty, our political science degree features outstanding academic training and advanced opportunities for undergraduate research. You’ll also have extensive opportunities to gain hands-on experience in legislatures, courts, advocacy organizations and other real-world settings. Whether you’re bound for the workforce, law school, a graduate political science degree or another career destination, our political science major gives you a competitive edge that can translate into professional success.

Request Info Visit Apply Program Requirements

Political Science Degree: The Oakland University Advantage

Oakland University’s political science degree offers high-quality, career-focused instruction at a comparatively low cost. The institution’s long tradition of civic engagement adds significant value to our political science degree, enabling you to connect on campus and in the community with professionals who are active in the legal, judicial and political systems.

In addition, our political science program enables you to:

  • Get immersed in real-world settings. You’ll enjoy superior opportunities to gain first-hand experience in our political science program.  Most students complete at least one internship that closely aligns with their career goals, and we routinely send political science majors to the Michigan state legislature for summer work placements.
  • Develop graduate-level research skills. Our political science majors routinely collaborate with faculty on research, often gaining co-authorship credit and presenting at academic conferences. This type of achievement makes a strong impression on your graduate school application or resume.
  • Learn from high-caliber faculty. Oakland’s political science degree is led by accomplished scholars and practitioners, including many who’ve earned national recognition for their research. Several of our political science instructors hold law degrees, and our small class sizes ensure that you’ll get personal attention from every professor.
  • Explore your career options. The political science degree’s flexible course requirements enable you to learn about various possible careers. Our political science majors have strong LSAT scores, and we also offer a special 3+3 option that saves you time and money on a law degree. The program also provides strong preparation for careers in nonprofit advocacy, public service, government administration, or policy analysis.
  • Be part of a dynamic student community. The political science department is among the most active on campus. You’ll belong to a student population that won national recognition for high voter participation, with an honors society chapter that has repeatedly been recognized as the best in the country. In addition, our Center for Civic Engagement sponsors events and activities that engage the entire university and surrounding communities.

What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?

The courts, justice and politics specialization of Oakland’s political science degree offers excellent preparation for particular types of jobs in political science. Our graduates routinely go into the workforce in jobs related to public policy analysis, political advocacy, consulting, community organizing and other forms of civic involvement.  Many go to law school, gaining admission to prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana and Georgetown. Others pursue graduate degrees in political science and prepare for academic careers.

At the same time, Oakland’s political science degree offers a broad liberal arts foundation that has value in almost every industry. You’ll enter the job market as an excellent writer, independent thinker, strong communicator and effective collaborator.

A partial list of employers who’ve hired recent graduates of Oakland’s political science program includes:

  • U.S. Department of State
  • Social Security Administration
  • Office of Governor Rick Snyder
  • City of Detroit
  • City of Ferndale
  • Rocket Fiber
  • National Diversity Council
  • AmeriCorps
  • Peace Corps
  • Americans for Prosperity
  • JP Morgan Chase
  • Kelly Services
  • Fiat USA
  • Quicken Loans
  • Comerica Bank
  • Oakland County Circuit Court

Political Science Major: What You’ll Learn

To earn the political science degree with specialization in courts, justice and politics, you’ll begin with an introductory course and a core cluster that covers data analysis, research processes, and world politics or comparative politics. The program includes required courses in political thought and law, plus a minimum of three elective courses. Political science electives focus on subjects such as:

  • Congress and the legislative processes
  • The judicial process
  • Constitutional law
  • Civil rights
  • Gender discrimination
  • International law
  • Comparative / international politics

The political science degree culminates in an advanced seminar and capstone project that showcases your skills in research, writing and critical analysis.

Political Science Program Resources

Programs Related to the Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science

Not sure if the political science degree is right for you ? Check out these other undergraduate programs at Oakland, and contact our admissions team to discuss your options.

Current Political Science with Specialization in Courts, Justice and Politics Internships

General Purpose The School Social Worker shall be responsible for providing diagnostic and/or therapy services to students who are suspected of being disabled and/or are disabled.  Qualifications & Requirements Valid Michigan teaching certificate and/or State of Michigan approval to function in the specific discipline area.Masters in School Social Work with school Social Work course work completed or in process.Solid organizational and planning skills.Strong verbal and written communication skills.Able to work as a member of a team and contribute to the agency vision and goals.Able to demonstrate confidentiality in all matters.Positive leadership skills.Must complete and pass required criminal history check. Essential Duties (shall include, but are not limited to the following): To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Evaluate students.Prepare MET and evaluation reports.Participate in MET and IEPT meetings.Write appropriate goals and objectives.Provide therapy to students.Maintain a schedule of service and student progress.Consult with staff and parents.Establish and maintain agency contacts.Complete timely submission of claims to Medicaid for eligible students on caseload.Predictable/reliable attendance.             Other Duties Act as a resource, if needed, to employees, students and the general public and visitors to the NC RESA.Possess knowledge of NC RESA’s organization, mission, and philosophy.Perform other duties deemed appropriate by the Supervisor of Special Education. Relationships & Commitment The School Social Worker shall be directly accountable to the Supervisor of Special Education and shall demonstrate commitment to the mission of the Newaygo County RESA through: Adherence to and enforcement of agency policies and administrative regulations.Performance resulting in quality outcomes.Performance resulting in internal and external consumer satisfaction.Continuous personal and professional improvement and development.Positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues and consumers.Continuously improving performance through internal and external evaluation.Exhibiting the mental/physical ability and stamina to meet essential duties of position.Supporting the agency and department in the Continuous Improvement Plan. Other Required Skills Able to communicate effectively (language skills).Able to work with mathematical concepts (mathematical skills).Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (reasoning skills).Physically able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job (physical demands).  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. General school building/classroom/office setting; the noise level in this position varies.  Terms of Employment Contracted employee (exempt under FLSA regulations)School year position; 7.25 hours per dayPosition covered under NCEA Master Agreement  The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.  The RESA does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination or harassment in any program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment, as required by Title IX and other applicable law, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity/expression), marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, disability, age, or any other basis prohibited by law.  NC RESA reserves the right to alter/amend this job description at any time, following language in the NCEA Master Agreement. 
-->
General Purpose The School Social Worker shall be responsible for providing diagnostic and/or therapy services to students who are suspected of being disabled and/or are disabled.  Qualifications & Requirements Valid Michigan teaching certificate and/or State of Michigan approval to function in the specific discipline area.Masters in School Social Work with school Social Work course work completed or in process.Solid organizational and planning skills.Strong verbal and written communication skills.Able to work as a member of a team and contribute to the agency vision and goals.Able to demonstrate confidentiality in all matters.Positive leadership skills.Must complete and pass required criminal history check. Essential Duties (shall include, but are not limited to the following): To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Evaluate students.Prepare MET and evaluation reports.Participate in MET and IEPT meetings.Write appropriate goals and objectives.Provide therapy to students.Maintain a schedule of service and student progress.Consult with staff and parents.Establish and maintain agency contacts.Complete timely submission of claims to Medicaid for eligible students on caseload.Predictable/reliable attendance.             Other Duties Act as a resource, if needed, to employees, students and the general public and visitors to the NC RESA.Possess knowledge of NC RESA’s organization, mission, and philosophy.Perform other duties deemed appropriate by the Supervisor of Special Education. Relationships & Commitment The School Social Worker shall be directly accountable to the Supervisor of Special Education and shall demonstrate commitment to the mission of the Newaygo County RESA through: Adherence to and enforcement of agency policies and administrative regulations.Performance resulting in quality outcomes.Performance resulting in internal and external consumer satisfaction.Continuous personal and professional improvement and development.Positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues and consumers.Continuously improving performance through internal and external evaluation.Exhibiting the mental/physical ability and stamina to meet essential duties of position.Supporting the agency and department in the Continuous Improvement Plan. Other Required Skills Able to communicate effectively (language skills).Able to work with mathematical concepts (mathematical skills).Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (reasoning skills).Physically able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job (physical demands).  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. General school building/classroom/office setting; the noise level in this position varies.  Terms of Employment Contracted employee (exempt under FLSA regulations)School year position; 7.25 hours per dayPosition covered under NCEA Master Agreement  The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.  The RESA does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination or harassment in any program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment, as required by Title IX and other applicable law, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity/expression), marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, disability, age, or any other basis prohibited by law.  NC RESA reserves the right to alter/amend this job description at any time, following language in the NCEA Master Agreement. 
-->
✎