Political Scientists

Career summary

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Political scientists study a wide range of subjects including:

• American politics
• Comparative politics
• International relations
• Political theory

They may specialize in the relationship between the United States and other countries. Others specialize in national institutions, including the presidency and Congress.

Political scientists use a variety of methods to collect information including:

• Historical documents
• Public opinion surveys
• Economic data
• Election results

They write reports that interpret their findings or outline their theories. Their reports may be used to make recommendations to government agencies and other organizations.

Many political scientists teach at colleges and universities.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Economists
• Foreign Service Officers
• Geographers
• Sociologists
• Statisticians
• University and College Teachers

Military careers

• International Relations Officers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to political scientists.

• Teach others about government and the law.
• Analyze results of studies and prepare reports.
• Identify issues for research and analysis.
• Develop and test theories, using information gathered from research.
• Maintain knowledge of government policy decisions.
• Design and carry out surveys.
• Research government institutions and laws.
• Recommend programs and policies to government organizations.
• Write reports and speeches for governmental use.
• Predict political, economic, and social trends.
• Consult with government officials and political organizations.
• Present information on political issues and events to media.

Common work activities

Political scientists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Analyze data or information
• Get information needed to do the job
• Teach others
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Process information
• Use computers
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Think creatively
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Document and record information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Coach others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Develop goals and strategies
• Evaluate information against standards

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, political scientists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social contact. They interview government officials, but also work alone while analyzing information.
• Often present information to large groups of people.
• Communicate with coworkers and government officials daily by telephone, e-mail, or in person.
• Write letters and memos on a daily basis.
• Sometimes work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Nearly always work indoors.
• Work with other people, but usually in a separate office or many feet apart.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Political scientists must report information that can be trusted.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before making a decision. They rarely consult a supervisor before setting tasks and goals for the day.
• Are moderately competitive with other political scientists.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work part time or full time, but most work more than 40 hours a week.
• May work nights or weekends to meet deadlines.
• May work alone or on research teams.
• May travel to collect information or attend meetings.

Physical demands

Political scientists frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for political scientists to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for political scientists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.

Skills and abilities

Political scientists need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Political Science and Government
• Public Policy Studies

Other programs of study to consider

• African Studies
• African-American and Black Studies
• American Studies
• Asian Studies
• Asian-American Studies
• Central and Eastern Asian Languages and Literature
• East Asian Studies
• Ethnic Studies
• Gender Studies
• International Relations
• International Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Latino Studies
• Native American Studies
• Near and Middle Eastern Studies
• Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
• Russian Studies
• South and Southeast Asian Studies
• Urban Studies
• Western European Studies

Training

To work as a political scientist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• have at least a master's degree in political science.

Education after high school

Almost all political scientists have a master's degree or higher in political science. However, research assistants usually need only a bachelor's degree. As a student you study different areas of political science such as government, political theory, and economics. You also study math and statistics.

To teach political science at a university, you need a doctoral (PhD) degree. Most colleges and universities offer degrees in political science.

Work experience

Working as a research assistant for a political scientist is good experience for this field.

On-the-job training

Some students complete an internship while in school. Look for a school that can provide you with experience working for a state legislature or the U.S. Congress.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be international relations officers. While this is not the same as being a political scientist, many of the skills transfer between jobs. You need at least a bachelor's degree to enter this military occupation. The length of training depends on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Civics
• Political Science
• US Government
• US History
• World Cultures
• World History

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require at least a master's degree in political science. Colleges or universities usually require a doctoral degree (PhD). Universities choose candidates based on their area of research and the quality of their published articles.

Employers look for political scientists who have excellent communication skills. They also look for applicants who are comfortable using computers to analyze data.

Costs to workers

Workers must pay for association dues, reference books and journals, and college classes to keep up with changes in the field.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Political Scientists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by the political scientist's experience and educational level. Those who have a master's degree generally earn less than those who have a doctoral degree (PhD).

Full-time political scientists generally receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also offer a retirement plan. 

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings. 

National employment

Major employers:

• Federal and state government agencies
• Business and professional organizations
• Social science research firms
• Consulting firms

National outlook

Growth for this political scientists will be about average. Almost half of political scientists work for the government. Demand may increase as there is growing interest in public policy and politics.

Competition will be strong as this is a very small occupation with few job openings. Opportunities will be best for those with a master's or doctoral (PhD) degree. 

The employment and outlook data does not include political scientists who teach at colleges and universities.

Other resources

American Political Science Association 
1527 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.483.2512

Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management 
1100 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20005

Careers in Political Science 
(American Political Science Association)

International Political Science Association 

National Academy of Sciences Interviews 

National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration 
1029 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
202.628.8965

Women's and Gender Studies: A Guide to the Collections of The New York Public Library 

Women's Studies/Women's Issues Resource Sites 
This site contains several different areas of women's studies. It also contains links to women's studies programs worldwide.

References

Career cluster

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Political Scientists (19-3094.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupation

• Political Scientist (051.067-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Artistic/Social

COPSystem

• Business Professional