Political Science
Department of Political Science
College of Arts and Sciences
520 Park Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4120
Phone: 716.645.2251
Fax: 716.645.2166
Web: wings.buffalo.edu/pol-sci/undergraduate.html
Frank C. Zagare
Chair
About the Department
The Department of Political Science’s programs are especially noted for their strengths in the empirical and formal fields of political science. Its research and teaching mission focuses on the nexus of American, comparative and international politics. As well, the department has developed four focus areas that cut across these three fields: democracy and democratization; electoral politics; political conflict resolution; and politics, race, law and minority groups in America. The department offers its graduate and undergraduate students a comprehensive, state of the art curriculum and an opportunity for “hands on” research training. Almost all our advanced graduate students are given an opportunity to teach.
The department also offers a course of study leading to a J.D. degree and an M.A. or Ph.D. degree in political science. Further, the University at Buffalo is one of only a few universities in the nation that offers dual graduate programs in political science and law.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.A., Minor
Concentrations: Advanced American Politics and Public Affairs, Comparative, General, International, and Public Law
Graduate: M.A., M.A./J.D., Ph.D., Ph.D./J.D.
About Our Degrees
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in two political science courses.
Acceptance Information
Deadlines: Rolling
Number of accepted majors/year: 125
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
Transfer Policy
Credit for political science courses completed with a passing grade at other colleges or universities may be granted in instances where comparable courses exist within the department at UB. The department gives transfer credit for a maximum of five political science courses. Where applicable, transfer courses may be used to meet specific departmental requirements.
About Our Courses
In political science, students have a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, and career aspirations. As our range of possible concentrations in the department suggests, students interested in law school, public affairs, government service, graduate school, or international studies can obtain a solid background with the courses we offer. Of course, the core or basic concentration allows students the most flexibility in designing a curriculum to meet individual needs.
Suggested Introductory Courses
Courses Outside Political Science that Could Improve Employment Opportunities
- Computer science
- Economics
- English (especially writing skills)
- Statistics
The typical class size for:
Freshman/introductory courses is: 300
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 75
Upper level/advanced courses is: 50
In the Department of Political Science, what do student teaching assistants (TA's) do?
Advanced graduate students teach some undergraduate courses; other graduate students assist in grading examinations and papers.
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Special Academic Opportunities
Honors Program
This is for political science students who wish to pursue a major research interest. A student with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in political science and minimum GPA of 3.0 overall can be admitted into the honors program in the second semester of the junior year. In the fall semester of the senior year, the honors student enrolls in a graduate seminar in the field of interest. During the spring semester the honor student prepares an independent research thesis derived partly from the graduate seminar.
Washington Semester Program
Selected undergraduates can spend either a fall or a spring semester in Washington D.C., participating in a full-time internship with a political institution, agency, or group. Students in this program earn up to 15 credit hours.
New York State Senate and Assembly Internship
Selected undergraduate students in this program intern for a semester in the office of a state senator or member of the Assembly in Albany. Participants earn up to 10 credit hours.
Community Internship
Selected undergraduates work with a government office or agency located in Western New York. Students earn from one to six and one-half credits.
About Our Faculty
The department has a faculty of 15 full-time members, all of whom have Ph.D.'s and teach both undergraduate and graduate courses. University honors awarded for excellence in teaching to several members of the faculty demonstrates the high quality of teaching. Our faculty is professionally active, nationally recognized, and very accessible. They have authored or co-authored twenty-two books, edited another twenty-one books, and authored or co-authored more than 160 research articles and nearly 100 chapters in edited collections. The faculty have published with many leading university presses, and their work has appeared in the leading professional journals. One faculty member is a SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, and several have won awards for their teaching and research. Several have had grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF), and one served as the political science program director at NSF. Two faculty members have served as American Political Science Association congressional fellows. Several have served on the editorial boards of major scholarly journals, and within the governing bodies of regional and subfield organizations in the discipline.
Extracurricular Activities
Undergraduate Political Science Club
This club sponsors weekly meetings and participates in department social affairs. It also organizes special events, trips to Washington D.C., and faculty/student lunches. Members elect officers and control their own funds. For more information, call (716) 645-2251.
Model European Union Simulation
Each year since 1993, the Department of Political Science has sent a delegation to participate in a simulation of decision - making in the European Union. To facilitate this, UB is a member of a consortium of New York State and European universities. Approximately 150 American students and 100 European students participate in these three- to four-day meetings, which are held either at the University at Buffalo, SUNY/Brockport, or in Luxembourg. Professor D. Munroe Eagles is the faculty advisor for this simulation; interested students are encouraged to contact him.
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Majors that Complement Political Science
- Economics
- English
- History
- Psychology
Minors that Complement Political Science
- Economics
- English
- History
Advising Information
After acceptance into the major or minor, students may consult with a departmental advisor for assistance in understanding departmental and university requirements for the degree. Advisor office hours are posted at the department office, 520 Park Hall.
Career Information
Most of our graduates go on to law school. Many go into public service.
Skills gained in this program include:
- Interpreting public policy to the public, explaining the mechanics of government and intergovernmental relations
- Directing individuals to government agencies that can assist them
- Insight into the overall political environment to promote public causes
- Organizing or participating in community action, and collecting funds to support the action
- Analyzing bureaucratic budgets, policy-making processes, congressional behavior, pressure-group activities, international relations, or local power struggles
- Dealing effectively with individuals or groups to obtain information, and using surveys and interview techniques for research
- Using mathematical methods: simulation, statistics, and electronic data processing to deal with data
- Writing clear and concise reports
- Predicting the impact specific political changes will have on the quality of life
- Supplying historical perspective with information on past experiences in dealing with issues, such as minority relations, foreign policy, environmental protection, or urban development
- Recommending measures, such as resource allocation, long-range economic planning, or the organization of community to deal with social problems
- Advising businesses on how to deal with bureaucratic systems
Transferable Skills:
- Organizing large projects by harnessing the talent of diverse groups of people and allocating responsibilities accordingly
- Teaching, instructing, and consulting various people and organizations on complex issues and theories
- Conducting research and market analyses to assist with developing strategies and plans of action
Career Choices
There are a variety of occupations that political science majors can enter. The following list is non-exhaustive and some of the occupations may require aulitional training or education.
- Archivist (political history)
- Campaign manager
- Case worker
- City manager
- Community relations
- Diplomat
- Editor
- Educator
- Equal opportunity representative
- Foreign correspondent
- Foreign service officer
- Government worker
- Journalist
- Importer/exporter
- Industrial relations
- Labor relations specialist
- Legislative assistant
- Librarian
- Lobbyist
- Management analyst
- Market research analyst
- Military officer
- News writer
- Paralegal
- Parole/probation officer
- Police officer
- Political consultant
- Politician
- Polling/marketing researcher
- Public relations director
- Research assistant
- Writer
What percentage of graduates goes on to find related employment?
65%
Work settings include:
Federal, state, county, and local governments; private business, independent advertising, manufacturing companies, consulting firms, public agencies, not-for-profit organizations, political parties, law firms, insurance companies, regional planning organizations, colleges & universities, legislative offices, research organizations, labor relations firms, libraries, public or private school districts, community organizations, departments of public assistance, social service agencies, welfare agencies, housing agencies, state parole boards, county probation offices, magazines, newspapers, publishers, television stations or networks, large corporations, public utilities, public relations firms, public interest organizations, travel agencies, hotels, importing or exporting firms, philanthropic organizations, scouting organizations, and urban renewal organizations.
Salary Information
Salaries can vary greatly for different occupations, geographic areas, and organizations and companies. According the Winter 2000 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates, the average for political science is $29,315.
Career Hints
Employers are seeking candidates with experience and those who have developed their skills from that experience. Internships, part-time work, summer employment, and/or further education can enhance a graduate's employability in their chosen career area.
Political science majors can increase their skills by running for political office, getting involved in special interest groups, joining student government, and/or securing an internship with a political leader, law firm, or other governmental office.
What percentage of graduates goes on to graduate school?
40%